Voice of a Role Model

Enough from me lately. Today’s post is from one of our young role models, Lucy Hill. Here’s her perspective on school, bullying and how effective role modelling can give young people hope:

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School is tough for most kids; the pressures of fitting in, getting good grades (but not so good that you are considered a geek), wearing the right clothes, liking the right music…the list is endless. The turmoil is even greater for LGBT kids who are struggling with their own feelings about sexual or gender identity; they don’t need everybody else’s views piled upon them too. It is very hard to be ‘different’ in an environment that often stamps out individuality for the sake of an easy life and for LGBT kids this can prove catastrophic.

We all know of the much publicised tragic and enraging stories of gay school children ending their lives due to torment from homophobic bullies; Asher Brown, a 13-year-old Texan who shot himself in the head after being ‘bullied to death’, another 13-year-old, Seth Walsh, who hung himself after yet another attack from his tormenters and 15-year-old Billy Lucas whose school did nothing to prevent his bullies driving him to suicide, despite pleas for help. These heartbreaking stories are all too common and send a clear message that far too little is being done.

Diversity Role Models are taking a brilliant step in tackling this pandemic problem. Really, it is only by changing the minds of the young that homophobia, and homophobic bullying, can be erased once and for all. By sending successful, and above all happy, LGBT role models into schools to discuss the topic and their experiences, Diversity Role Models are not only helping to remove the fear around homosexuality, but they are showing that anybody can go on to achieve their dreams. Above all, what this organization is giving young LGBT school kids, is hope. An escape from the bullying and relief that there are other people out there just like them who lead happy, successful and untroubled lives. If I were a teenager struggling with my sexuality and experiencing ridicule and even beatings, I know seeing an adult who had come through this, and achieved everything they wanted and more, would be incredibly freeing.

Lucy Hill

Follow us on Twitter: @diversityrm

Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DiversityRoleModels (every ‘like’ we get on that page proves to schools how necessary this is!)

Email us on diversityrolemodels@gmail.com

Website coming soon!

‘Gay’ is not an insult!