Being Unique
Recognising and respecting our differences
People are different and unique. We all have our own ideas and views about the world and ourselves.
If we weren't different, life would be boring.
We are our own person.
"Love yourself, no matter how different you feel. Being unique is the key to life"
(Selected by young people from online source- www.iliketoquote.com)
My Story- Hiding my true self
Written by Luke Ellis, 21 years.
2016: From a young age I always knew I would be different. Growing up with six sisters and one brother, I always chose the heels over the football boots. Further on, being in high school was one of the worst times of my life. Being bullied from year 7 to year 10 really took a toll on me and my life. In them years I put it off that I was different. I tried so hard to fit in with the lads by joining the rugby team and getting a girlfriend.
After I broke up with my girlfriend, I knew it was time for me to no longer hide my true self, so I decided to come out publicly. The day after I came out as gay, 15 lads and 12 girls followed me home and jumped me. This put me in the state of not wanting to go into school, but I went into school for my GCSEs.
22 May 2017 at 10.31pm: my life took a turn for the worse. Nobody knew the incident was going to happen! Everyone expected a great performance by my idol Ariana Grande (which it was). I still remember the whole day as if it was yesterday. I was in my GCSE exam getting excited to see my Queen.
All the way through the concert I was screaming her songs. Then it came to the last song … ‘Dangerous woman’. The song finished and people started to leave the arena. Me and my family started to walk away from the doors when the bomb went off. I remember turning back and seeing smoke and other things I can’t even describe.
2018: 'Liv Ya Life' was born. Liv is my alter ego who brings out the diva in me. She is a high energy, death-dropping queen who brings the show every time she is on stage.
Present day: Liv now works at the biggest bar / club in Manchester’s Gay Village, “Bar Pop”. Since working there Liv has been able to develop herself in many different ways such as make-up and performing.
Don't Change
Poem by young person, 14years
She has dreams to be an envy, so she’s starving
Laugh and the world laughs with you
Weep and you weep alone
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth.
She just wants to be beautiful
To be noticed, she craves
To not be invisible, to be praised.
But she is hated and replaced by others
So she tries to cover up the pain
And cut her woes away.
She wants to undo her sad, undo her pain, undo what hurts so bad
Lies tell me lies fake people.
It’s a thin line between all this love and hate
And if you switch sides, you’re gon’ have to claim your place.
But there is a hope that is waiting for you in the dark
You should know you’re beautiful just the way you are
Not to choke, not to change anything
The world can change its heart
You’re a warrior and you will survive
Don’t change
Don’t hate me
Inspiration and excerpts taken from:
“Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara
“Solitude” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
“Undo” by Sanna Nielson
“Hate me” by Ellie Goulding & Juice WRLD