This week in Australia, liberals are attempting to revive the gay marriage debate after 30 of the country’s largest companies sent a letter to its prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull. The letter urges the government to allow a free vote in Parliament to legalize gay marriage. As Australia’s government crawls toward marriage equality, homophobia is still deeply entrenched in the country, especially when it comes to sports.
A recent study found that 80 percent of Australians say they’ve witnessed or experienced homophobia while playing or watching sports. Half of gay men say they’ve personally been targeted, and 75 percent believe an openly gay person would not be safe watching a sporting event. That’s why the strong stance being taken by a gay Australian cowboy is so important.
The rodeo community in rural Australia is steeped in homophobia. But one rider, 18-year-old Josh Goyne, is standing up to the hate he faces on community message boards. “Today I was asked if I thought it was good that gays died of AIDS, and then the guy said he wished it was 1850 so he could shoot me for being a fag,” Goyne said in a video he posted to Facebook. But Goyne pledges to keep speaking out. “The gay cowboy will never be silenced,” he said. “I will forever be an openly gay cowboy. I will happily give a voice to those too scared to speak up.”
In his Facebook video, Goyne sticks his neck out to stand up for other gay cowboys without a voice. “They think they’re gonna stop me from riding in this week’s rodeo—not a chance in hell. I will proudly stand up to any homophobe and say right to their face that I’m a proud openly gay cowboy.” Goyne’s activism has earned him a free trip to to the United States to compete in the “Texas Tradition Rodeo,” sponsored by the Texas Gay Rodeo Association. A GoFundMe page with a goal of $7,200 for his trip was set up by supporters in Colorado and it has already surpassed its goal.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.