Just Like Us is turning 5!

This year Just Like Us, the UK charity for LGBT+ young people, is turning 5! Over the past 5 years we've achieved so much: we've trained over 400 Ambassadors whose talks have inspired over 50,000 pupils in schools and colleges across the UK to support LGBT+ equality in their schools. Our Pride Groups (LGBT+ and ally clubs) are popping up in schools up and down the country to give LGBT+ young people a safe social space where they can be themselves. And our national campaign School Diversity Week is bringing inclusive education to communities that have never taken steps towards LGBT+ inclusivity before.

But there's more to be done. 3 in 4 LGBT+ young people will be bullied this year.

Right now LGBT+ young people are isolated away from their support networks. The lockdowns have been incredibly tough for many of these young people, leaving them twice as likely to feel lonely and more than twice as likely to worry for their mental health on a daily basis during the pandemic than their non-LGBT+ peers.

Our ambassador Millie explains the challenges of growing up LGBT+ by sharing her story below:

Millie's story

"I was twelve when I realised that my obsession with Rose Tyler from Doctor Who was more than a mere admiration, and my gayness became apparent. This came as a hugely unwelcome shock. I had heard the word gay being used as a derogatory term since primary school and there were no out lesbians in my Catholic high school. I became petrified that my friends and family would find out about my identity, assuming that their response would be rejection and ostracism. Consequently, I buried my identity deep down, barely even admitting it to myself.

The energy it took for me to conceal my true thoughts and emotions took a significant toll on my mental wellbeing. I was always on my guard and began to experience periods of anxiety from around this age.

I was fortunate enough to start seeing a therapist, whose insights were invaluable. Through these sessions, I realised that my anxiety was a result of the shame I felt about my identity. My increased introspective understanding from therapy, and the support from my family, friends and girlfriend significantly improved my mental wellbeing. I learned to accept my identity and be proud of who I truly am.

I have used my experiences to fuel my passion for change. Now, as a Just Like Us Ambassador, I stand up in front of hundreds of people and share my story of growing up as a gay woman, in the hopes of inspiring other LGBTQ+ young people to live their lives, truly and authentically, and to embrace themselves as they are."

- Millie is a Just Like Us Ambassador

By supporting Just Like Us and the work of our incredible Ambassadors you will make sure that young people like Millie know it's okay to be LGBT+.

Help us to run programmes which support LGBT+ young people in schools to live awesome lives now by giving £5 or more

Thank you