Sir Elton John's heart soared when he heard how a young man revealed his sexuality despite public ridicule and the threat of being beaten by his community.

This was one of many touching stories that resonated with the celebrity activist during his visit on Wednesday to Gateway Clinic, a state healthcare facility on the grounds of Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in Umlazi, Durban .The clinic is one of hundreds in South Africa that receive support and training - particularly related to man-to-man sex - from the Anova Health Institute, which has the Elton John Aids Foundation as one of its funders. The clinic is giving hope to hundreds of young gay men by providing HIV/Aids testing, treatment and support groups.Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Times, John said he was touched by the 22-year-old man's bravery.story_article_left1"He's become a counsellor and was threatened with a beating because he was gay. He lost his mom and his relatives did not want him."But, incredibly bravely, he chose not to hide but to become an openly gay counsellor through Anova's We The Brave campaign, which focuses on the sexual health of men who have sex with men."Can you imagine? Only 22 years old and going into the townships, setting up literature about lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders and HIV. Just fantastic, made my heart sing."John was in Durban this week to attend the International Aids Conference."When I first came to Durban, in 2005, we met the Durban gay and lesbian alliance. We met in a private room in a bar and no one wanted to have their picture taken."Today our project is helping roll out MSM [men who have sex with men] services in 100 government facilities. I am amazingly proud and encouraged by that," he said.A 21-year-old man who has joined a support group regularly hosted by the clinic, said: "I know I have a safe place to come get tested and talk.story_article_right2"When I first came out it was tough. People still insult me. But my mother told me she always knew I was gay. My brother took a long time to accept me."Activist Gordon Khoza said the We The Brave campaign had received an "overwhelming" response in MSM circles in the township."The campaign speaks to them. Being African and gay in KwaZulu-Natal is being brave," he said.Khoza said John's bold initiatives had "opened a lot of minds and killed some stereotypes".John is now keen to introduce new celebrities to the cause.He said he wanted to encourage Britain's Prince Harry and Nelson Mandela's grandsons Kweku and Ndaba to "carry the torch".In the '80s, as the HIV/Aids crisis started to unfold, Princess Diana became the first public figure in the UK to be photographed shaking hands with an HIV-positive man.The simple gesture, according to the British media, helped to break down stereotypes and ignorance.Prince Harry was also in Durban on Thursday for the conference.Said John: "They really speak to young people - more than me."..