Talles de Oliveira Faria decided to graduate with a bang, after years of being bullied.

While walking the stage during graduation at the Aeronautic Technology Institute of the Air Force of Brazil, Talles wore a dress and heels — now that takes balls!

“Since childhood they teach us that being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual is a shame and then we take a lot of time to heal those injuries,” he said to Metro.co.uk. “They insulted me, they laughed at me and tried to make me invisible.”

Apparently, at one point a teacher sneered at him, saying, “There are no sad electrons, there are no electrons with psychological problems, there are no gay electrons.” In another instance, a military man said, “If I were you, I’d kill myself.”

“Homophobia is shown through invisibility, jokes and the expulsion of those who wanted to show their sexual condition,” Talles explained. “When I arrived at the institute I decided that it was enough. Either you accept me as I am or you would be exposed for what you really are.”

He has our vote — what a way to walk!

H/T: Instinct