"If it wasn't for society constantly reminding me that that I'm a person of disability and a person who's gay, I'd probably forget about it. I mean - I'm a busy person. I've got shit to do."
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He's offensive, hilarious and the definition of the word brazen, and now it seems the rest of the world is catching on to the inclusion message of Canberra's own Wayne Herbert.
Herbert, 37, who has cerebral palsy, is the author of 2017's Anecdotes of a Disabled Gay and now his thoughts on diversity, disability and inclusion have caught the attention of Canada.
Herbert has been invited to speak at the Canadian Association for Supported Employment's annual conference in Halifax in June. He'll speak on two out of the three days at the conference - the first day speaking on disability employment services in Australia and the next day delivering the TED talk he gave in Canberra last September.
"This is my first international speaking engagement – even thinking about it makes a little bit of nervous wee come out," he said.
"I've always wanted to be a voice for change – positive change. To have a lasting and positive impact of the community and, in particular, decision makers.
"Canada's a great place to launch my message internationally. Justin Trudeau is someone I respect and admire politically."
He's glad his message around inclusion - including calling on Australians to get rid of words like "limitation" and "deficit" when referring to people with disability - is resonating around the world, Herbert said. And his sense of humour is largely to thank for that.
"I like to think I bring a new and refreshing insight into the world of people with disability and the LGBTIQ community, by showing people I'm fearless and not afraid to laugh at myself," he said.
"But there's a serious side to my message. I want to open up a conversation on the social issues my communities face every day.
"I'm known for telling people I have sex and masturbate – that I'm just like everyone else. I hope I change the way we think and perceive people with disability. We can all do better here in Australia and in many parts of the world – I just show people how to do that, in practical, meaningful ways."
It's been a huge year for Herbert, who won the Chief Minister's inclusion award for Making Inclusion Happen and was nominated for the 2017 ACT Australian of the Year award. He's spent the past six months in radio and television studios across the country promoting his book.
"Not sure I can believe it but this year's going to be even bigger - I'm a member of the ACT government disability reference group as well as deputy chairman of the LGBTIQ ministerial advisory council.
"And late last year I was elected to the board of the ACT AIDS Action Council. I've got a lot to do in Canberra this year.
"But secretly, I'd love a gig on radio, Gogglebox, or on some celebrity show in the South African jungle," he laughed.
