Prince William Graces Cover of Gay Magazine Attitude
Just days after the Orlando shooting, Prince William has become the first member of the royal family to pose for the cover of an LGBT publication
Prince William has notably not been as visible as his mother was in the service of LGBT issues, challenges and awareness.
However, all that is set to change today, as William graces the cover of the celebrated British gay magazine, Attitude, as part of his campaign against bullying.
The historic issue marks the first time a member of the royal family has been photographed for the cover of a gay magazine.
The issue of Attitude magazine went to press on Wednesday 8th June, just days before the devastating shooting in an LGBT nightclub in Orlando.
In a statement issued today, referring to the atrocity, the magazine said: “Around the world LGBT people experience hatred and violence every day. Such violence does not exist in a vacuum but snowballs from intolerance and bullying that begins in classrooms, too often comes from politicians, religious leaders and is often not treated with respect by the media.”
The interview and photo shoot for the magazine was done shortly after William sat down with a group of LGBT+ teens and adults, at Kensington Palace, to listen to their experience of bullying and the mental health impacts it can have.
During the meeting, video snippets of which have also been released today, LGBT+ individuals explained how bullying had led to low self-esteem, suicide attempts, eating disorders, depression and drug addiction including, in one case, the death of a young man after an unintentional overdose.
William then posed for the cover of Attitude, photographed by Leigh Keily.
Speaking to Attitude, The Duke commented: “No one should be bullied for their sexuality or any other reason and no one should have to put up with the kind of hate that these young people have endured in their lives. The young gay, lesbian and transgender individuals I met through Attitude are truly brave to speak out and to give hope to people who are going through terrible bullying right now. Their sense of strength and optimism should give us all encouragement to stand up to bullying wherever we see it. What I would say to any young person reading this who’s being bullied for their sexuality: don’t put up with it—speak to a trusted adult, a friend, a teacher, Childline, Diana Award or some other service and get the help you need. You should be proud of the person you are and you have nothing to be ashamed of.”
A recent report found that 33.9% of young LGB people had made at least one suicide attempt compared to 17.9% of young straight people. 48.1% of trans young people had attempted suicide. 57.1 % of LGB people had self-harmed at least once compared to 38.3% of heterosexual young people. 85.2% of trans young people had self-harmed as opposed to 47.4% of cisgender (born into the body you feel you are) young people.
Attitude Editor Matthew Todd said today in a statement, “During my time as editor of Attitude I have met parents whose child has taken or lost their life after being bullied for being LGBT+ or even just perceived to be LGBT. I am very happy that the future king of the United Kingdom agrees this must stop, and I would urge parents in particular to raise their voices in their communities to ensure that every school protects – really protects – all children.”
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: "The Duke of Cambridge is working hard to support the fight against bullying and to help break the stigma around mental health. He has established a taskforce on the prevention of cyberbullying and along with The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry is leading the Heads Together campaign on mental health and well-being.
"He knows that LGBT young people suffer unacceptably high rates of bullying and he was grateful to Attitude for facilitating such a serious conversation on this topic. He was moved by the stories he heard and impressed by the positivity and courage of the people he met."