Blog

We're continuing to receive lots of messages of support as part of our LGBT Holiday Support Project........

I want you to know that you are not alone. That no matter how hard things get, there are people who value you and celebrate everything about you, that who you are is exactly right, and that you will always have a place in our hearts just for being yourself.

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I promise you, friend: you are valued. You are celebrated. You are loved.

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Hey! I just thought I should let you know that I think you’re AWESOME and the world’s a better place for having you (yeah, you specifically) in it! <3

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In BSL, ‘gay’ is signed by resting your fist on the palm of your other hand, making a thumbs-up and waggling it from side to side. It’s very close to the sign for ‘fantastic’ where you just bounce a thumbs-up fist against your open palm. COINCIDENCE? I think not. (Plus the sign for ‘lesbian’ is making an L and then flicking your wrist around like you’re the Fonz, which is just cool.)

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At this time of year, we tend to put a lot of weight on being with the people we’re related to. That’s not always easy but I think it gets harder when we’ve been sold the image of the picture-perfect family. I’m gay myself, and sometimes I feel like that’s the reason why it feels like I just don’t fit.

Maybe things are different for you. I hope that they’re better, or if not that they’ll get better soon at least! But I’ve been thinking a lot about families lately and I guess it’s important you know where I’m coming from when I say that I think our real families aren’t always the ones we’re born into but the ones where every part of us is loved. The ones where we always feel at home.

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To everyone who feels as though they are not accepted by the people important to them:

Nobody in the world has the right to make you feel anything less than valued.

There is nothing wrong with being who you are and living your life in whatever way is right for you.

And anyone who says otherwise? They’re the ones with the problem.

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I’m so glad that you exist and that you’re here and that you’re you (even if that might sometimes be hard)! Thank you, just for being you!

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Everyone at Seashell is so proud of you for living your life in a way which is right for you. No matter what that looks like, it’s a fantastic achievement and we’re all so pleased that you can make these decisions even when things get difficult. Well done!

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The determination our college students demonstrate when it comes to making the right decisions for them about how they live their lives, no matter what obstacles they encounter, impresses me every single day. Things are sometimes difficult and we sometimes forget that just living our lives when faced with opposition is an achievement worth celebrating in itself – so even if you’re struggling right now, remember that we’re all so proud of you and everything you’re doing, and we always will be.

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In my time at Royal College Manchester, the most important lessons our students have taught me are the importance of regular high-fives, the fact that all my dance moves (which were cool once, I promise!) are now horribly passé, and the fact that being yourself in a world which isn’t always ready for you and which doesn’t always understand is one of the bravest things you can do. That even though there are often barriers and obstacles in your way, the journey is worth the struggle. And that no matter how low and frustrated you might feel, there’s always time to party with your friends.