I am 17 and studying the sciences and mathematics at Haywards Heath College. I don’t live in Brighton but I volunteer and socialise in the city (not to mention going to the recent January sales!). I live by myself (yes, I know I’m young but my housekeeping skills are renowned. Stains on cream carpets stand little chance!) and am out to everyone who asks. My fashion sense is quirky yet modern and suits are a speciality (this includes 13 waistcoats; my tartan companion is my favourite).
My history is somewhat murky. I’ve suffered from severe mental health problems and been in the foster care system as well as the judicial system. Fortunately, my unique outlook on life from a very scientific point of view allows me to take these things on, to become stronger because of them. I’m not saying it was easy and it certainly was not enjoyable nor healthy (my weight went down to 7 stone and I am 6’2” and still after a year it has only reached 9 stone). Not to mention the atrocious schooling environment that plagues young people today whether they be LGBT or not, bullying affects so many young people.
Now I’ve changed my life around. Through Allsorts, my confidence and social skills have grown to the point that I now stand (or type) before you, vice president at only 17. I still have yet to have a relationship, but from the looks of Hollyoaks at the moment I may have dodged a bullet. I am a volunteer youth worker in Haywards Heath, teaching stage engineering to young people. I am even starting to change the school I went to by continuing to be involved in LGBT awareness.
Am I happy? I must admit there are days I sit on my sofa watching Desperate Housewives with a jar of Nutella and a spoon. I am most happy when I am volunteering either in the community as a youth worker or submitting to management my little tidbits of opinion. I appreciate accomplishment and I try to encourage that in others.
What do I think about same-sex marriage? Well, it may surprise you to know that I am against same-sex marriage. We already have civil partnerships with the same legalities and responsibilities of marriage why should we need marriage (which in itself is outdated and originates from scripture that is ‘sharp intake of breath’ conflicting at best)? The concept of it being because we are all the same is absolutely preposterous, we are not the same, we never will be. But our differences, rather than being swept under the rug and assumed to be unimportant to the functioning of society, should be celebrated and used to the best of our strengths and weaknesses. Only through the diversification and integration of all into society will humanity ever achieve its potential.