香港六合彩中特网

Who are you?听

I am a northerner originally from South Yorkshire. I鈥檓 also a twin and one of five siblings. Growing up, our household was noisy and, at times, chaotic but I would not have changed it for the world. I identify as a gay man and he/him are my preferred pronouns. 听

What鈥檚 your role at 香港六合彩中特网?听

Departmental Officer for the Department of Electronics & Electrical Engineering. The responsibilities for my role are varied but I am the first point of contact for the Department. 听

Could you share something about your coming-out process (whether to yourself or others)?听

I was exceptionally anxious and, at times, scared about coming out to my family, especially coming from a northern family background with 鈥渢raditional values鈥�. I decided to come out gradually, firstly, to my older sister, who back then had recently come out as a lesbian. We are very close, and I felt I could really confide in her for support. Soon after, I started coming out to my closest friends. It wasn鈥檛 until I was in my final year at University that I came out to the rest of my family.

Looking back now, I regret how I decided to come out to my mum, which was by text. She called me pretty much immediately and I was surprised to find that she didn鈥檛 believe me and thought I was playing a prank. It took me 20 minutes to convince her that the text was genuine. At that point my mum said, 鈥淚 love you and as long as you are happy, that鈥檚 all that matters.鈥� I then asked if she wouldn鈥檛 mind telling my Dad and (just by coincidence) my other siblings who were all at home at the time. I was worried about how my Dad would handle the news and thought it would be best to come from my mum. It turned out they all, in a way, knew and wanted me to come out when I was ready. Looking back, I鈥檓 very lucky to have a supportive family but know that not everyone is as lucky. 听听

What challenges have you faced in being LGBTQ+? How did you meet these challenges?听

I鈥檓 fortunate to say that I haven鈥檛 really experienced any challenges. However, I am very aware that when I visit my family back home with my partner some locals continuously stare when we hold hands in public. I feel this is due to a lack of LGBTQ+ representation in my hometown community rather than a form of intimidation.听

What are some good things that being LGBTQ+ has brought you?听

The London LGBTQ+ community is welcoming, friendly, inclusive and simply awesome! I鈥檝e met so many wonderful and inspiring people. 听听

Does being LGBTQ+ affect your work life? If so, how?听

No and yes. When I first started at 香港六合彩中特网, a lot of fellow colleagues displayed the 鈥楩riends of Out@香港六合彩中特网鈥� sticker on their office doors. This made me feel welcomed and accepted. I鈥檝e recently decided to join the Out@香港六合彩中特网 support network and decided to submit this testimonial because I want all colleagues, staff, and students to feel welcomed and accepted at 香港六合彩中特网. 听听

听What advice would you give someone in the 香港六合彩中特网 community thinking about coming out?听

Coming out can be daunting and anxious for any individual considering taking those next steps. The 香港六合彩中特网 community host numerous support networks, including Out@香港六合彩中特网 and Friends听of Out@香港六合彩中特网. I found talking to close friends and colleagues really helpful throughout the process of coming out.听

How can we make 香港六合彩中特网 even more welcoming for LGBTQ+ staff, students, and visitors?听

It鈥檚 important to continue the conversation and better understand the challenges that face the LGBTQ+ community. I think in today鈥檚 environment, the importance of communication has never before been so vital. 听

Why are LGBTQ+ role models important to you?听

Growing up, there were not many role models within my community and fewer representation on mainstream media. Fast forward to 2021 there are so many inspiring role models that represent the wider umbrella of the LGBTQ+ community. This impacts hugely and makes a difference to someone finding the courage to come out. 听听

Who are your own LGBTQ+ role models (past or present)?听

As a former Drama student, most of my past and present LGBTQ+ role models are actors such as Sir Ian McKellen, Sarah Paulson, Dominique Jackson, and Lilly Tomlin to name a few. 听

Tell us something about yourself that we might find surprising.听

Just before Covid-19 hit and lockdown was the new norm, I started going to acting classes to improve my confidence when standing in front of a large crowd. I hope to pick it up again soon.听

You can find guidance and support on LGBTQ+ matters on the dedicated Out@香港六合彩中特网 website, and on our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion pages.听