Behind the viral moments and emotional depth of Wicked’s musical numbers stands Christopher Scott, the visionary choreographer bringing Oz to life through dance.

When it comes to the beloved musical, fans don’t necessarily think of choreography. In the acclaimed film adaptation from Jon M. Chu, however, dance has become just as much a star of the film as its iconic songs and protagonists.

In December, GAY TIMES skipped down the yellow brick road to spend ‘One Short Day’ in the Emerald City with Christopher Scott to talk all things Wicked.

Thanks to TikTok, the ‘What Is This Feeling?’ dance has become an internet sensation, with hoards of fans recreating its sharp, staccato movements. For Scott, seeing people take the choreography and make it their own has been a deeply moving experience.

“It feels amazing,” he says. “People started sending me the videos and it just started with me kind of reposting them, too. I was like, ‘This is so fun.’

“And then I had a moment where it hit me. There was a daughter and her mom and her dad dancing together, and I was like, ‘This is beautiful.’”

For Scott, dance isn’t just about the moves themselves: “We worked really hard to tell a story and put it on film and then put it in the cinema for people to have an experience.

“Now they get to go home through dance and share something and have another experience on top of that. It’s just really gratifying.”

The Ozdust Ballroom scene is more than a visually stunning moment that serves as the film’s heartbreaking midpoint – it’s a powerful meditation on identity, shame and, ultimately, liberation, something many LGBTQIA+ audience members relate to. For Scott, all the choreography in this scene had specific intent behind it.

“I started building it with an associate choreographer of mine, Comfort Fedoke,” he explains. “We start in a really intimate space, you know? We wanted to give Cynthia the tools that she needed.”

Scott describes how bird-like movements, such as the waving hand placed on Elphaba’s forehead, became central to her dance vocabulary. “Birds connect to Elphaba,” he says. “Animals are the only people that really understood her and took care of her.”

He emphasises that Elphaba’s dancing isn’t about technical perfection or showing off. “She’s not a bad dancer, you know? She’s a different dancer. She dances differently.”

When asked about Wicked‘s connection to Oz’s rich queer history, Scott lights up as he recalls a conversation with Ariana Grande about Ozma, a character in L. Frank Baum’s original Oz novels who’s widely considered to be one of the earliest known trans characters in literature.

“Ari is such a historian of everything Wicked and Wizard of Oz. And there’s a character that she was explaining to me, Ozma,” Scott remembers.

“It really did feel like, ‘Oh, we’re telling something, you know, this is bigger than one person’s experience.’ This is deep and I can’t even imagine what that story being told was like back then.”

Understanding this has added even more weight to Scott’s work. He says, “I’m part of something that has a lineage that’s important.”

As audiences prepare to delve deeper into the world of Wicked with its home release, Scott hopes the choreography resonates as, not just as a visual spectacle, but as a heartfelt expression of identity, connection, and joy – something fans will undoubtedly be dancing along to for years to come.

Wicked is available to buy or rent at home now. Watch our full interview with Christopher Scott here or below.

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Fellow Ozians! After rumours and speculation, innuendo and outuendo, Wicked director Jon M. Chu has finally shared his thoughts on ‘Gelphie’.

In December, GAY TIMES was invited to Napa Valley, California, to spend ‘One Short Day’ in the Emerald City and sit down with Chu to talk all things Wicked ahead of its home release on 3 January 2025.

Since its release in November, the blockbuster has reignited conversations around Oz’s legacy, with fans reflecting on the powerful relationship between Elphaba and Glinda – affectionally dubbed ‘Gelphie’. (It even birthed a few of the internet’s greatest memes of 2024.)

When asked if he’s holding space for the box office hit being dubbed “the gayest blockbuster in history,” Chu responds with a giggle.

“Listen, I’ll take whatever they want it to be. It’s no longer mine, which is what I love about movies” he says. “We get to make a timeless piece that people get to take and do whatever they want with.”

Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship has been the subject of thrillifying online discussion, especially after Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande themselves voiced their support for ‘Gelphie’ in a now viral interview with GAY TIMES.

Even Broadway icon (and original Glinda) Kristin Chenoweth joined the conversation. In response to Grande calling the beloved character “queer”, the Tony winner wrote: “I thought so too way back when….”

Reflecting on the dynamic between the two witches, Chu says: “The relationship is very intimate, it’s beautiful. And I think that that’s what a real friendship feels like, as intimate or not intimate as you want it to be.

“I don’t always understand the magic that’s happening. I’m just there to capture it and lean into the things that intrigue me the most, or awaken something in me.”

However, for Chu, it’s not about prescribing meaning, it’s “for the audience to then take it and make it ‘Gelphie’ or whatever they want. To me, that’s kind of the point.”

As fans eagerly anticipate Elphaba and Glinda’s arc in the upcoming Wicked: For Good (previously known to the world as Wicked: Part Two), Chu teases what’s to come. “Get ready!” he says, hinting at breathtaking performances from Erivo, Grande, and the internet’s boyfriend, Jonathan Bailey.

We can expect “tear the roof off” renditions of fan-favourites ‘No Good Deed’ and ‘As Long As You’re Mine’, which promise to showcase the cast’s immense talents.

“Just wait,” Chu adds. “I’ve given you too much. I cannot say too much. Other than… I’ve seen both movies back-to-back already, and I love it. I love it so much.”

Sadly, us regular folks will have to wait until November 2025 before we get to see the story unfold.

Beyond the technicolour spectacle and powerhouse ballads, Chu hopes the Wicked home release will offer something deeper – a glimpse behind the emerald curtain.

Bonding over our shared childhood love for ‘Making Of’ documentaries and DVD extras, he says: “To me, not having access to film school at that time, this was like my film school. I’m just glad that we get to share this stuff on home video.”

Chu is excited for fans to dive into the documentary, deleted scenes and featurettes: “More people will understand, watching a deleted scene, why we cut a scene.

“They may not agree. And there’s plenty of things that I struggled with, but they understand. I think people appreciate it in a different way. So I’m excited for that.”

Of course, we’re GAY TIMES, we are queer media, so we had to ask about Oz’s longstanding queer legacy.

Chu remains reverent. “I think it’s not my place to say what I think about the history of Oz in there. I will say the spirit of this community, of building real culture in this community, reflects our real world.” He hopes the film will open conversations on “what beautiful is,” “what love is” and “what a hero looks like.”

“We hoped in this that we would create a fairy tale for 2024 that would last forever. And those things are just normalised, that they’re not even a point in the thing. It just is the way life is. And that’s how we see life.”

In a world too often divided, Wicked stands as a reminder of the transformative power of friendship, allyship and acceptance. For Jon M. Chu, that’s where the true magic lies.

Wicked is available to buy or rent at home now.

Watch our full interview with Jon here or below.

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From spine-chilling haunted houses to sickly sweet treats, Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights are back and scarier than ever.

WORDS BY MALIK HADDINGTON-AHMED
SPECIAL THANKS TO MATTHEW SKEELS, MOLLY MCNAUGHTON, KEVIN GIBSON AND ROSA ASGHARI

‘Gay Christmas’ is rearing its grisly head once more as Universal Orlando celebrates Halloween Horror Nights 2024!

Kicking off earlier than ever and running for 48 select nights until 3 November, the 33rd iteration of Universal’s acclaimed spooktacular features a spine-tingling lineup of haunted houses, scare zones, live shows and themed treats.

Scream queens, it’s the time to round up your ride-or-dies and head to Orlando for the ultimate Halloween experience…

Haunted Houses that will leave you quaking

This year, Halloween Horror Nights unveils 10 all-new haunted houses, each crafted to transport you to the most nightmarish realms, with every corner hiding a new scare.

In A Quiet Place, you’ll need to summon all of your courage to remain silent as you navigate a post-apocalyptic world where monsters with hypersensitive hearing stalk their prey. If the paranormal is more your style, then the horrifying Insidious: The Further’s tortured souls and demonic entities will draw you into a new bloodcurdling dimension. Meanwhile, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire plunges you into the icy depths of New York City’s streets as you join forces with the Ghostbusters to save the city from a chilling new threat.

One of the most exciting additions is Universal’s first all-women haunted house. In Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines, this clash of iconic female characters will have you on the edge of your seat.

And the scares don’t stop there! Universal Orlando’s Entertainment team has also crafted six original haunted houses that will introduce you to new, bone-chilling stories.

In Slaughter Sinema 2, you’ll face a B-movie marathon at a drive-in theatre, while Goblin’s Feast could end in delectable disaster, home to a medieval village full of creatures hungry for more than just your company. If you’re up for a sugar-coated horror show, Major Sweets Candy Factory may just be the sickly sweet treat for you.

With themes ranging from folklore horror in Monstrous: The Monsters of Latin America to petrifying parricide in Triplets of Terror and ghastly artefacts in The Museum: Deadly Exhibits, your limits will be tested in ways you never imagined.

Scare Zones that will keep you on your toes

If the haunted houses aren’t enough, the fear continues as you explore Universal Orlando’s five Scare Zones, where hordes of menacing creatures are on the prowl. The park has introduced two new terrifying hosts this year, SINIST3R and SURR3AL, each ruling over their own unique realms of horror.

Whether you’re trying to evade the unearthly terror in Duality of Fear or hoping to survive the zombie-infested Swamp of the Undead, every step you take will be fraught with danger.

You’ll confront unspeakable horrors as you brave the gloriously gory homemade torture devices at SINIST3R’s twisted Torture Faire. But the terror doesn’t stop there. Get caught in an otherworldly hellscape ruled by four merciless Demon Queens, where their loyalty to SURR3AL ensures that no one leaves unscathed.

For those brave enough to face the most notorious figures in horror, Enter the Blumhouse brings together iconic characters from Blumhouse films like The Purge and Black Phone. And don’t forget to watch your back – M3GAN may just be lurking in the shadows.

Food and fun you can enjoy between the screams

Halloween Horror Nights isn’t just about being scared out of your skin, it’s also about indulging in the rich atmosphere, complete with themed entertainment, food and shopping.

Inspired by the event’s haunted houses, guests are offered deliciously spooky twists on classic dishes. From the Mini Stay-Puft S’mores (a nod to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire) to Abbott’s Farm Corn Chowder (inspired by A Quiet Place), you’ll want to sample everything on offer.

Don’t forget to stop by the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store for some exclusive merch. It’s the perfect place to take home some gory goodies.

Hotels to rest your weary bones

To make your Halloween Horror Nights 2024 experience even more unforgettable, this year, staying at a Universal Orlando hotel means you’re not just close to the action – you’ll be living in it.

Each hotel across the resort has undergone spooky transformations, offering guests Halloween-themed lobby décor and eerie atmospheres.

In addition to these immersive settings, as a Universal Orlando hotel guest, you’ll have access to an exclusive entrance gate for faster entry into the event and complimentary transportation to and from the park.

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 offers the perfect combination of fear, fun, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a hardcore horror buff or certified scaredy-cat, this immersive blend of cinema-quality sets, original stories, and frightening characters promises to leave you both terrified and exhilarated.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your friends, summon your courage, and prepare for a night of terror like no other.

@gaytimes Spooky season is back with @UniversalStudiosOrlando’s #HalloweenHorrorNights 😱 #universalstudios #universalorlando #halloween2024 #spooky #spookyseason #aquietplace #ghostbusters #hhn #horror ♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando runs on selected nights from 30 August to 3 November and tickets start from £69 per person. More information on how to book your trip can be found below:

Seven nights in Orlando from £1460 per person.

Seven nights in Orlando with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, including scheduled Virgin Atlantic Economy flights direct from London Heathrow to Orlando. Room-only accommodation at Loews Sapphire Falls at Universal Orlando. Price is based on two adults travelling and sharing a Standard Room and includes Universal 3 Park Explorer, Halloween Horror Nights single night tickets and all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Price is based on a departure on 17th September 2024. Virgin Atlantic Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected. To book, visit www.virginholidays.co.uk or call 0344 557 3859.

Prices subject to change and availability. Virgin Atlantic Holidays terms and conditions apply.

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WORDS BY MALIK HADDINGTON-AHMED
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIGGA ELLA AND SUNNA BEN
SPECIAL THANKS TO GUNNLAUGUR BRAGI BJÖRNSSON, BUSINESS ICELAND AND VISIT ICELAND

In 2024, Iceland secured the #2 spot on ILGA Europe’s Rainbow Map. However, it’s relatively unknown as a safe place for LGBTQIA+ travellers.

From introducing same-sex marriage in 2010 to banning so-called ‘conversion therapy’ in 2023, and inaugurating a number of progressive policies in-between, Iceland has become one of the best places to be queer in Europe.

This August, Reykjavík Pride – dubbed “the world’s biggest small Pride” – marked its 25th anniversary with a vibrant five-day celebration, featuring an opening ceremony, drag shows and a parade that showcased community groups from across the island.⁠

GAY TIMES was invited along to experience the festivities and all the great things Iceland has to offer first-hand…

Before getting into the heart of Reykjavík, we were treated to a stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s first five-star hotels. Nestled within a private inlet of a UNESCO Global Geopark, complete with a spa, Michelin-starred restaurant and private lagoon for guests, this hotel embodies quiet luxury.

📷 SIGGA ELLA

The Retreat Spa’s self-guided Ritual treatment – which makes use of the Blue Lagoon’s primary elements of minerals, silica and microalgae – alongside their new in-water float therapy treatment, will leave your body and soul feeling relaxed and refreshed.

Iceland’s natural beauty was also on full display during the Pride Edition of a Golden Circle Tour by Pink Iceland. Step foot in the stunning Þingvellir National Park, which eagle-eyed Game of Thrones fans will recognise; Friðheimar Organic Tomato Farm, for a taste of some of the most delicious organic tomatoes; Gullfoss Waterfall, where you’ll witness one of Iceland’s most iconic and beloved wonders; and the Geysir, yes, the original geyser and the namesake for all other geysers.

If you’re not able to make it out into the Icelandic wilderness, make sure you check out FlyOver Iceland. This captivating virtual tour suspends you in front of a 20-metre spherical screen, watching a beautiful film, combined with motion, wind, mist and scents that whisk you away on an exhilarating journey across the country.

Now, back to Reykjavík Pride, which attracts around 100,000 attendees annually, almost one third of Iceland’s entire population.

President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, Mayor of Reykjavík, Einar Þorsteinsson, and Icelandic Eurovision royalty, Páll Óskar, all made appearances during the week, highlighting the importance of unity in the face of discrimination.⁠

A running thread throughout this Pride was the belief that the Icelanders couldn’t afford to be divided because they are so few – everyone is connected to a queer friend or family member, and everyone is in this together.

The parade, affectionately called the “walk of joy” by locals, began at Hallgrímskirkja before winding down the iconic rainbow-painted Skólavörðustígur street, and across to Hljómskálagarðurinn park, where Pride-goers enjoyed a free outdoor concert, celebrating queer history, culture and identity.

What made Reykjavík Pride special was its authenticity. The parade was made up of community groups and charities – no corporate floats, no pinkwashing. It’s about the people and their sense of togetherness. A pure joy that will leave happy tears in your eyes. UK Prides, take note.

Even Mother Nature blessed us, with blue skies and sunshine amplifying the immaculate atmosphere of the day.

📷 SUNNA BEN

All of that relaxing and wandering and Pride-ing can make a person hungry. A few food highlights include the seasonal Michelin-starred delights of Matur & Drykkur’s traditional Icelandic cuisine; Skál’s exquisite take on food hall dining (which you may recognise from Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil); the sumptuous Lava Restaurant, built into an 800-year-old lava cliff; Jómfrúin’s Danish Smørrebrød using the highest quality local ingredients; and the deliciously fresh offerings at The Fish Market.

Despite the hustle and bustle of Pride week, there was still an enchanting sense of calm. Far from the chaos of the UK’s largest cities, Reykjavík felt peaceful. There’s a saying in Iceland, Þetta Reddast (pronounced “thet-ta re-dust”), meaning “everything will work out in the end” – and it’s a philosophy that seems to permeate every corner of the island.

Just a short three-hour flight from the UK, this culturally rich and environmentally diverse microcosm is a delight for any traveller, whether you’re looking for a city break or an adventure holiday. The people are welcoming, the food is outstanding and, whilst small, the LGBTQIA+ community is thriving.

Discover more and plan your trip to Iceland at www.visiticeland.com.

The post Iceland: Celebrating “the world’s biggest small Pride” in the LGBTQ+ haven you didn’t know about appeared first on GAY TIMES.

Malik, from LGBTQ+ youth charity Just Like Us, shares how Beyoncé’s brand new album Renaissance has impacted him as a Black mixed race queer person.

WORDS BY MALIK HADDINGTON-AHMED

Since the days of Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé has been revered in my home.

I remember listening to The Writing’s on the Wall on repeat on my parents’ CD player and performing the “uh-oh” dance with my mum when Crazy in Love arrived in 2003. Seeing Beyoncé on Top of the Pops and Popworld, I couldn’t quite believe what I was witnessing – the birth of a goddess who we know today to be our greatest living entertainer.

Queen Bey has the ability to make us all feel like the powerful queens that we are. Act I of her new project, the 16-track dance-leaning Renaissance, takes this to the next level. Dedicated to her “godmother,” Uncle Jonny (who gets a shoutout on HEATED), and “the pioneers who originate culture,” the album features samples and contributions from a number of Black LGBTQ+ music icons, from Big Freedia to Honey Dijon.

Renaissance is pure joy. Bey sounds carefree and ready to dance – and she brings us along for the journey. Upon the album’s release, the artist released a statement, saying: “my intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgement. A place to scream, release, feel freedom.”

Many have declared this to be Beyoncé’s “gay era,” and within the plethora of infectious club-ready tracks like CUFF IT and BREAK MY SOUL, the album features several affirming messages and nods to queer culture.

Opening with I’M THAT GIRL, Beyoncé makes a declaration of self-worth. “It’s not the diamonds, it’s not the pearls, I’m that girl, it’s just that I’m that girl.” Regardless of how we present ourselves to the world, we’re worthy and we need to remember that. Growing up, so many LGBTQ+ people are led to believe that who we are is something to be ashamed of. It’s important to build ourselves back up, stand proud and celebrate ourselves.

In a similar vein, COZY reminds the audience to be “comfortable in my skin” and “cozy with who I am.” The second verse also serves as a tribute to our diverse communities, with lyrics that paint the colours of Daniel Quasar’s Progress Pride Flag.

ALIEN SUPERSTAR takes clear influence from ball culture. The ballroom-inspired vocal delivery, followed up with a chorus that samples Right Said Fred’s I’m Too Sexy, backed by space-age synths, make for an intergalactic auditory experience. Throughout the track, Bey spells out “unique,” telling us to appreciate what makes us different.

Track 7, CHURCH GIRL, begins life as a gospel standard before bursting into a Choppa Style-esque rap song – with the lyrics “I’m gonna love on me, nobody can judge me but me, I was born free” harking back to earlier themes, with Beyoncé daring us to love ourselves and live free of shame.

On Queen Bey’s first foray into the realm of hyperpop – a favourite genre of the queer community in recent years thanks to the likes of A.G. Cook, Sophie and Charli XCX – ALL UP IN YOUR MIND offers fans a glimpse into a different room of the club. A direction we may not have expected, but one I’m definitely here for.

PURE/HONEY, the penultimate track on the record, again calls back to the ballroom scene of the 80s and 90s, lifting from Moi Renee’s Miss Honey. “I ain’t never felt a feeling like this,” and neither have we. From the emcee opening of PURE to the funk infused climax of HONEY, this two-parter takes you on a journey through genres and leaves you yearning to be on the dancefloor.

The album’s closer, SUMMER RENAISSANCE, samples Donna Summer’s disco hit I Feel Love, a Pride favourite that’s been covered by the likes of Bronski Beat and Sam Smith. The track radiates confidence, sensuality and love – not to mention the song ending on the line “I’m in my bag,” which feels more than correct for what we’ve just witnessed.

Much like 2019’s The Gift and subsequent film, Black is King, Renaissance celebrates communities close to Beyoncé’s heart. She has continued to show support for LGBTQ+ people at a time when our rights and existence are held by many as topics for debate. In recent years, Bey has advocated for equal marriage and support for trans young people, winning the GLAAD Vanguard Award along with her husband, Jay-Z.

To honour these communities, Queen Bey continues to collaborate with producers, songwriters and performers whose lived experiences, culture and heritage contribute to a colourful listening experience; offering us a place to escape, reflect, dance, celebrate and be our authentic selves. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a mixed race Black person, this album means so much to me – and I know it does to so many others.

Messages and themes aside, perhaps the most satisfying part of Renaissance is how seamlessly it flows. It’s an hour-long journey through space and time – an opportunity to venture into the artist’s finely crafted soundscape. As Lady Gaga once said: “talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same.”

Beyoncé is an album artist, so it should go without saying that you’ll get the best experience of this record by listening to it top to bottom. No cross-fade, no shuffle, no skips and preferably in the lossless formats offered by Tidal and Apple Music.

We may only be a few days into Act I, but I know none of us can wait for the next servings of this three-act project (Enlightenment and Romanticism? A film? A tour?)

Until then, welcome to Club Renaissance. Release the wiggle.

Malik is the Social Media Officer at Just Like Us, the LGBTQ+ young people’s charity. If you’re LGBTQ+ and age 18-25, sign up now to volunteer.

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To feel seen is to feel less alone.

In Salford, Greater Manchester, in the early 2000s, growing up gay, mixed race and Muslim often felt like growing up invisible. I seldom saw anyone like me, and on the rare occasion that I did, they were hiding from themselves, or being condemned for showing the world who they were. The charity Just Like Us is working to change that.

With an increasingly diverse cohort of 18 – 25 year old LGBTQ Ambassadors telling their stories in schools across the country, Just Like Us is making sure that young people – of every gender identity, race, religion, and sexual orientation – feel seen, understood, and ultimately, less alone.

Both Just Like Us and GAY TIMES value the voices and experiences of LGBTQ young people from all backgrounds. In this series of monthly articles written by Just Like Us Ambassadors like myself, GAY TIMES readers will be introduced to stories from those growing up LGBTQ in a vastly changing UK.

I’ve had a difficult relationship with the word ‘gay’. The first time I heard it, it was used as an insult – thrown around as a casual playground put-down. When I started secondary school, I didn’t know what ‘gay’ was, or what ‘LGBTQ’ meant, but from my first day and every day for the next five years, people made fun of me because they suspected I was. Negative media representation was no help either. A three-year soap opera storyline of family turmoil, shattered marriages and religious controversy told me that being gay, Muslim and happy wasn’t an option. It left me afraid. I thought that my feelings were unnatural, that I would disappoint my family, and that my friends wouldn’t like me anymore. So, my battle with internalised homophobia began. 

For so many young people, school is a place where differences are treated as targets. Feeling the need to ‘fit in’ creates an environment where truly being yourself is stifled by fear. When I was at school, I hid so much of myself away just to make it through. I picked up on things that others didn’t think were ‘right’ about me and I started to police myself. I tried to change how I walked, talked, my interests. I did everything to not give someone a reason to call me ‘gay’, and that constant fear of being me took its toll. I don’t remember one person questioning why ‘gay’ was synonymous with bad, or why ‘gay’ was the worst thing someone could be. I don’t remember anyone having a positive discussion with anyone else about anything LGBTQ.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a recent study conducted by Just Like Us found that 85% of LGBTQ young people have suffered with anxiety or depression. Myself and so many others know the harsh reality of this. If I’d had an education that challenged the LGBTQ-phobia that so many of us experience and opened up a positive discussion about how we can make sure everyone feels safe and included in a school environment, I would have accepted myself so much sooner than I did. I was lucky though. Many LGBTQ young people don’t make it through.

That’s exactly why I signed up to volunteer with Just Like Us. As a LGBTQ Ambassador, I’ve had the privilege of delivering workshops to almost 1,000 young people in Greater Manchester, to talk about my experiences of growing up LGBTQ. People from all backgrounds have listened, discussed, and asked questions about how we can make schools more inclusive for all. It fills me with pride to be able to use my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned to potentially help others going through the same thing.

Through my work with Just Like Us, I’ve had the opportunity to speak in Parliament at the launch of School Diversity Week, a Just Like Us initiative in which schools and colleges up and down the country celebrate LGBTQ equality and diversity for a week. Last year over 1.4 million young people in schools across the UK took part. This year, School Diversity Week is taking place from the 22-26 June and we hope that you as readers of GAY TIMES will reach out to your old (or current) school to make sure they are involved. 

School Diversity Week has a huge impact on not only the LGBTQ pupils, but also on their straight, cisgender peers and their educators too. After my speech, I was encouraged to get in contact with my old school to arrange a visit. It finally felt like the right time. So I did.

I went back to my old secondary school in Salford last November. I delivered a full day of workshops for the 12 to 13 year old Year 8s. To say I was anxious would have been the biggest understatement, but it was honestly the most brilliant experience I’ve had in a school. The kids and teachers were equally engaged throughout and asked some great questions. We talked about LGBTQ-phobia and mental health, choosing how and when to come out, and why LGBTQ Pride is still so vital today. It really felt like everything had built up to that moment. It was a powerful contrast to the years I’d spent there hiding who I was.

Working with Just Like Us gives me a deep sense of purpose. I now feel more confident in my identity as an LGBTQ young person, and I’m able to use my voice to stand up for what I believe in. This February, at the Just Like Us Role Model Awards 2020, I was awarded with ‘Ambassador of the Year’ for my hard work and dedication in helping students who may be struggling with their gender identity or sexual orientation. If you’d have told me at the start of secondary school that I’d be accepting an award for being myself, and helping others be themselves, I wouldn’t have believed you. To be finding so much joy in something that at one time caused me so much pain means the world to me.

Times may have changed, but the fight is far from over. In the past six months, I’ve seen an unsettling amount of transphobic content online. Fuelled by ignorance and an unwillingness to learn, people – including those within the LGBTQ community and those who would consider themselves ‘allies’ to our community – have been using social media to mock, gaslight, and berate those who are just trying to live their lives. More than ever, we need to stand by our trans siblings in the face of such hate. We need to continue making room for, and listening to the voices of trans and non-binary people, LGBTQ people of colour, LGBTQ people with disabilities, LGBTQ people of faith, and anyone who doesn’t fit into a neatly defined category or label. At a time with such heavy discussion around mental health and how we treat each other in online spaces, I urge people to stretch their sympathies beyond those whose lives reflect their own. We all deserve to live our lives to the fullest.

One thing you can do right now to make life that little bit better for a LGBTQ young person, is to reach out to your old (or current) school and ask them to take part in School Diversity Week 2020. To find out how, go to www.justlikeus.org/sdw and scroll down to the ‘Urge Your School’ Campaign section.

Words Malik Haddington-Ahmed (Just Like Us Ambassador of the Year 2020)

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