Hi. My name is Ryan and I'm gay. Until recently, being gay was never a particularly big part of my life. I've never experienced any significant homophobia firsthand and my family and friends have always been an incredible source of support in allowing me to be myself without exception. So for me, being gay was kind of a non-issue. 

However, the recent attacks in Orlando have served as a stark reminder to me that, for many people, this is not always the case. There are still people, both in the UK and abroad, who are afraid to be who they are meant to be. Afraid to express themselves. Afraid to live. Afraid to love. There are still people who face persecution on a daily basis because of their sexual orientation. Sex with someone of the same sex is illegal in 76 countries, and punishable by death in ten. That means 40 per cent of the worlds population live in countries where gay, lesbian and bisexual people can be imprisoned just for being themselves. Over 400 million people live in laws which punish same-sex sex with the death penalty.

Around the world LGBT are more likely to risk arrest, violence and discrimination for publicly speaking out against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia, than they are to have their rights protected. Stonewall want to help turn this around and help create a world where LGBT people have their right to love, and the right to life.

That's why I've decided to try and raise £500 for Stonewall to help support the amazing work that they do. Donations of any size are welcome (I'm a student, I know the feeling of being skint!) so if you can spare anything it would be greatly appreciated. 

At the end of the day: "It matters not who you love, where you love, why you love, when you love or how you love. It matters only that you love."

                                                      - John Lennon