Prince William has made history as the first member of the Royal Family to be photographed for the cover of a gay publication with an appearance on the front of Attitude magazine.
On 12th May, the father-of-two invited Attitude magazine to bring members of the LGBT+ community to Kensington Palace to listen to their experience of bullying, and hear about the resulting impact on their mental health.
Reports published in 2015 show that LGB youth are significantly more likely to attempt suicide than young straight people, and 48.1% of trans young people have attempted suicide at least once. A much higher percentage of LGB people have also self-harmed in comparison to heterosexual young people.
William, along with wife Kate and brother Harry, has been a consistent champion of mental health resources for young people, and is now using his platform to offer support for the LGBT+ community through his interview with the mag.
Speaking to the editorial team, he said, '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.'
All images: Attitude/Lee Kelly
Matthew Todd, the editor of Attitude, said, '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.'
'The Duke of Cambridge is working hard to support the fight against bullying and to help break the stigma around mental health,' a Kensington Palace spokesperson added. '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.'
Prince Wiliam's issue of Attitude is available to download now from pocketmags.com/attitude or to order by post from newsstand.co.uk/attitude. It will be in shops from 22 June
