Brody's Notes... Stonewall Youth Event Inspired Young LGBT Folk

Gavin Wills, Jane Czyzselska, Danny Fryer, Michael Hill, & LCDR Mandy McBain, RN 

Photo Courtesy of Gary Nunn  Stonewall UK

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) June 7 | Ninety lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB)  youth aged 16 – 25 attended Stonewall’s annual Youth Event at London’s City Hall this past weekend. The day, sponsored by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group Limited, was designed to ensure young people know how to make the most out of being LGBT in England in 2010. This year the event was planned and run by a committee of Stonewall Youth Volunteers.

The young people came from across the country and heard from a panel of speakers including motor sports champ Michael Hill, Diva Editor Jane Czyzselska, Stonewall Youth Campaigner of the Year Danny Fryer, Goldman Sachs Managing Director of Corporate Services Gavin Wills and Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Mandy McBain. 

The day also included a series of workshops specifically designed for the needs of LGBT young people on careers, sex and relationships. The day finished with an interactive theatre experience led by Rikki Beadle-Blair, writer and director of FIT – Stonewall’s film for schools.

Stonewall Youth Coordinator Laurie Oliva said:

"It was great to have this year’s Stonewall Youth Event organised by young people themselves. The young people who attend often tell us they lack confidence – usually because their self-esteem has been knocked by homophobic bullying. By the end of the day these same young people thank us enthusiastically for the opportunity to meet so many other people just like them from across the country, and to engage in activities that encourage them to feel much more positive about their sexual orientation."