Age: 30 Resides in:
Santa Monica, Calif. Favorite sports:
Beach volleyball and surfing. Favorite athlete:
Mark Tewksbury. Favorite team:
Los Angeles Lakers On Surfing:
“It’s a lifestyle for me. I love waking up in
the morning, heading to the ocean before work. I
love being one with the ocean."
Brad Virata
was a high school football player who also competed on his
school’s track team. He was in a fraternity, Tau Kappa
Epsilon, at the University of Washington, and had long-term
girlfriends, including cheerleaders, in both high school and
college.
“I was
trying to play the whole straight role in high school, but
was really uncomfortable with my sexuality (while) in high
school and my first few years in college,” he said.
Virata came
out as a college junior, first telling his dad, Ramon, when
the two were together, alone, on a vacation.
“When I
came out, I had in the back of my mind that, well, my dad
may disown me, that he may not want to ever again speak to
me. Thankfully, he just looked me in the eyes and said,
‘You’re my son and I love you no matter what, and I’ll
always continue to support you,’” Virata said.
Ramon is
now a member of PFLAG. Brad’s mom, Norma, is “very accepting
as well,” he said.
Virata, the
youngest of five (two older brothers, two older sisters) is
the only gay family member. He also has numerous nieces and
nephews, “and I have a great relationship with all.”
“For the
most part, I haven’t had a bad experience with being gay,”
he said. “It actually was a complete shock,” that friends
and family were totally accepting about his sexuality.
Virata
never got the chance to share his sexuality with the world,
though. He is a contestant on the current CBS-TV edition of
the hit reality show "Survivor," though he was eliminated
mid-way through the season from the $1 million grand prize
awarded to the eventual winner.
His
sexuality was never revealed on-air, though producers and
his fellow castaways knew.
“I wish
that my coming-out story had been heard because I thought it
was a really cool story. I wanted to represent the Asian
community in a positive light, but also wanted to represent
the gay and lesbian community in a positive light,” he said.
“Quite often in the media, gays are portrayed in a
stereotypical way. I didn’t want that and I don’t feel I’m
like (the stereotype). I wanted to break the mold a little,
to show the rest of America that gays can be athletic,
articulate, cool people, on and off the island. We’re not
all flamboyant, attention-seekers.
“Ultimately, I think (CBS executives) may have wanted to
appeal to a larger demographic of people, specifically,
women, thus my sexuality was not revealed.
“I’m not
ashamed of being gay, not at all.”
Virata
is a “juror” for the final episode of "Survivor," which airs
Dec. 17 at 8p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
“'Survivor'
was a great experience,” he said. “I learned a lot about
myself, what I can and cannot live without. 'Survivor'
really put things in check, helps prioritize what’s
important. So, in that regards, I’m glad I did it, and I met
a ton of great people, made some really great friends.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience.”
Virata is
the Director of Men’s Merchandising for Lucky Brand Jeans …
and he’s single.
“I’m
currently single, and I’m willingly interviewing and
accepting applications. Just kidding,” he said, laughing. “I
just haven’t met the right person, yet. But when I do, Ross;
you’ll be the first person I call.”
Virata
is a “juror” for the final episode of "Survivor," which airs
Dec. 17 at 8p.m. ET/PT on CBS.