| . |
| . |
www.ambiente.us AUGUST |AGOSTO 2010
Someone to look up to?
Never Blend In|The Legacy of Harvey Milk
By Kieran James Prout
Growing up in a sleepy town in mid-Wales, it was hard coming out to my family and
friends but also to myself. From the moment I realised I was gay; I was in turmoil
because the only representation of gay men I had ever seen was stereotypes within the
media and Lily Savage. This was not what I wanted to become and I became very
depressed with the whole situation because it was a part of me I could not change.
Luckily for me, my friends and family understood but unfortunately living in a small town
means news travels fast and soon enough everyone knew my sexuality. This brought
on years of bullying and the walk to school became a verbal assault course as I
dodged schoolchildren, often younger than me, constantly reminding me that I was
gay. This seemed ridiculous to me and I often would reply with “Yes, I am” because
what else is there to say?
During my childhood and teens I felt there was a distinct lack of role models for the gay
community and even though the situation has improved since the days of blankety
blank, there is a long way to go.
One man who is making a difference is lecturer David Watters, who has taken
inspiration from Harvey Milk and written his debut book; ‘Never Blend In: The Legacy of
Harvey Milk’. The book’s main aim is to challenge the stereotypes that the media has
created and to give support to the gay community.
Someone to look up to?
Never Blend In|The Legacy of Harvey Milk
By Kieran James Prout
Growing up in a sleepy town in mid-Wales, it was hard coming out to my family and
friends but also to myself. From the moment I realised I was gay; I was in turmoil
because the only representation of gay men I had ever seen was stereotypes within the
media and Lily Savage. This was not what I wanted to become and I became very
depressed with the whole situation because it was a part of me I could not change.
Luckily for me, my friends and family understood but unfortunately living in a small town
means news travels fast and soon enough everyone knew my sexuality. This brought
on years of bullying and the walk to school became a verbal assault course as I
dodged schoolchildren, often younger than me, constantly reminding me that I was
gay. This seemed ridiculous to me and I often would reply with “Yes, I am” because
what else is there to say?
During my childhood and teens I felt there was a distinct lack of role models for the gay
community and even though the situation has improved since the days of blankety
blank, there is a long way to go.
One man who is making a difference is lecturer David Watters, who has taken
inspiration from Harvey Milk and written his debut book; ‘Never Blend In: The Legacy of
Harvey Milk’. The book’s main aim is to challenge the stereotypes that the media has
created and to give support to the gay community.
LGBT/Latino/Hispanic Civil Rights unitycoalition.org |
| . AMBIENTE ONLINE STORE |
Fresh-Squeezed Paradise MIAMI RIVER INN miamiriverinn.com |
FLOWERS|ART ESSENTIALS flowerbardesign.com |
UC|CU MEMBER DISCOUNT CARD |
WORDS & IMAGES MATTER. Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation glaad.org |
SHOP AT THE DOT MDGLCC Members offer some great discounts & specials. |
not achieving as well as the others in the group. In my own way, I want to carry on the
vision that people like Harvey Milk have, to give hope to people that have none.
What issues does the book cover?
It tackles the issue of gay suicide and disenfranchisement often felt by LGBT youth.
What does the book set out to do?
It sets out to highlight the wealth of possibilities available to the readers through
inspirational role model figures. I want to inspire people to lead a balanced, a fulfilling and
dignified life. This book is for anyone that is questioning their validity – I do this through
interviews with people who are modelling qualities and character traits such as
determination, diligence and vision. Ultimately the goal is to help people to understand
that they can achieve, the can optimise their potential if only they can understand that self-
esteem is what might holding them back.
Who is involved in the project so far, any big names?
Oh yeah! I’ve been a bit of a celebrity stalker. I suppose notable voices in the book are
Harvey Milk’s colleagues, Harvey’s nephew, Stuart Milk who has offered to write the
foreword for the book, which is fantastic and really lends a little bit of credibility to the
project. Some of the most exciting for me are Stephen Fry, Alan Cummings and Darren
Hayes from Savage Garden. The list is endless to be honest; it’s kind of exciting how
much support there has been for this.
What did Stephen Fry have to say in the book?
Oh, it’s fantastic! It’s just what you’d expect from Stephen Fry. It’s intelligent, it’s witty and it’
s insightful but it’s also straight down the line. He can look at both sides of the argument
and he’s very mature in his approach. He warns against people
vision that people like Harvey Milk have, to give hope to people that have none.
What issues does the book cover?
It tackles the issue of gay suicide and disenfranchisement often felt by LGBT youth.
What does the book set out to do?
It sets out to highlight the wealth of possibilities available to the readers through
inspirational role model figures. I want to inspire people to lead a balanced, a fulfilling and
dignified life. This book is for anyone that is questioning their validity – I do this through
interviews with people who are modelling qualities and character traits such as
determination, diligence and vision. Ultimately the goal is to help people to understand
that they can achieve, the can optimise their potential if only they can understand that self-
esteem is what might holding them back.
Who is involved in the project so far, any big names?
Oh yeah! I’ve been a bit of a celebrity stalker. I suppose notable voices in the book are
Harvey Milk’s colleagues, Harvey’s nephew, Stuart Milk who has offered to write the
foreword for the book, which is fantastic and really lends a little bit of credibility to the
project. Some of the most exciting for me are Stephen Fry, Alan Cummings and Darren
Hayes from Savage Garden. The list is endless to be honest; it’s kind of exciting how
much support there has been for this.
What did Stephen Fry have to say in the book?
Oh, it’s fantastic! It’s just what you’d expect from Stephen Fry. It’s intelligent, it’s witty and it’
s insightful but it’s also straight down the line. He can look at both sides of the argument
and he’s very mature in his approach. He warns against people
| . |
who are maybe, overly political and can’t perhaps laugh at themselves. I asked him questions
on gay humour on television and he said we have to be careful we don’t get too precious about
it.
Do you think the UK still has problems with homophobia?
Oh yes, homophobia is far more widespread in the UK than many people are aware of or are
even prepared to admit. On the surface, it seems society has grown more accepting of the
LGBT community but this to me, suggest that acceptance is required and that are value is
based on the judgement of others. All the ‘isms’ still exist; Racism, Sexism, there’s
discrimination against the elderly, the young and the differently abled and I suppose all of these
prejudices have equal importance and must be actively challenged. Homophobia occurs in
many different ways and it can range from subtle to malicious. It can be gossiping, name-
calling, intimidating looks or words but in its most severe incarnation, homophobia has resulted
in all too frequent and brutal murders of innocent people.
I have also taken part in David’s project, as I believe it’s is something that I would have
appreciated when I was growing up and tied in well with my own personal project oh
homophobia in the UK. I set out to create a mini radio documentary on homophobia in the UK
and how it has changed over the years from when it was legalised in 1967. I spoke to various
gay men who had lived through the law passing, the aids epidemic of the 80’s and coming-out
in last few years so I could see how society’s view had changed on the LGBT community. The
end result revealed that although it has improved since the sixties, there are still major
problems and that’s why I feel the Never Blend In: The Legacy of Harvey Milk project will make a
positive impact on society as a whole.
David is still working hard on the Never Blend In: The Legacy of Harvey Milk project and hopes to
get it published as soon as possible but for now, you can find out more about David and the
book on his website http://neverblendin.wordpress.com or http://www.nbiassociates.co.uk. You
can also listen to my documentary ‘Reporting To You From Outside The Closet Door’ here http:
//www.mediafire.com/?lghmymnbgan.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
on gay humour on television and he said we have to be careful we don’t get too precious about
it.
Do you think the UK still has problems with homophobia?
Oh yes, homophobia is far more widespread in the UK than many people are aware of or are
even prepared to admit. On the surface, it seems society has grown more accepting of the
LGBT community but this to me, suggest that acceptance is required and that are value is
based on the judgement of others. All the ‘isms’ still exist; Racism, Sexism, there’s
discrimination against the elderly, the young and the differently abled and I suppose all of these
prejudices have equal importance and must be actively challenged. Homophobia occurs in
many different ways and it can range from subtle to malicious. It can be gossiping, name-
calling, intimidating looks or words but in its most severe incarnation, homophobia has resulted
in all too frequent and brutal murders of innocent people.
I have also taken part in David’s project, as I believe it’s is something that I would have
appreciated when I was growing up and tied in well with my own personal project oh
homophobia in the UK. I set out to create a mini radio documentary on homophobia in the UK
and how it has changed over the years from when it was legalised in 1967. I spoke to various
gay men who had lived through the law passing, the aids epidemic of the 80’s and coming-out
in last few years so I could see how society’s view had changed on the LGBT community. The
end result revealed that although it has improved since the sixties, there are still major
problems and that’s why I feel the Never Blend In: The Legacy of Harvey Milk project will make a
positive impact on society as a whole.
David is still working hard on the Never Blend In: The Legacy of Harvey Milk project and hopes to
get it published as soon as possible but for now, you can find out more about David and the
book on his website http://neverblendin.wordpress.com or http://www.nbiassociates.co.uk. You
can also listen to my documentary ‘Reporting To You From Outside The Closet Door’ here http:
//www.mediafire.com/?lghmymnbgan.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
| . |
Growing up in a sleepy town in mid-Wales, it was hard coming out to my family and
friends but also to myself. From the moment I realised I was gay; I was in turmoil
because the only representation of gay men I had ever seen was stereotypes within the
media and Lily Savage. This was not what I wanted to become and I became very
depressed with the whole situation because it was a part of me I could not change.
Luckily for me, my friends and family understood but unfortunately living in a small town
means news travels fast and soon enough everyone knew my sexuality. This brought
on years of bullying and the walk to school became a verbal assault course as I
dodged schoolchildren, often younger than me, constantly reminding me that I was
gay. This seemed ridiculous to me and I often would reply with “Yes, I am” because
what else is there to say?
During my childhood and teens I felt there was a distinct lack of role models for the gay
community and even though the situation has improved since the days of blankety
blank, there is a long way to go.
One man who is making a difference is lecturer David Watters, who has taken
inspiration from Harvey Milk and written his debut book; ‘Never Blend In: The Legacy of
Harvey Milk’. The book’s main aim is to challenge the stereotypes that the media has
created and to give support to the gay community.
With big names such as Stephen Fry and Alan Cummings getting involved with the
project, I went to interview David Watters to see how it’s going:
Why did you decide to write the book?
I’ve always been interested in equal rights and very political in my teenage years and
through teaching I’ve realised how people with low self-esteem are
friends but also to myself. From the moment I realised I was gay; I was in turmoil
because the only representation of gay men I had ever seen was stereotypes within the
media and Lily Savage. This was not what I wanted to become and I became very
depressed with the whole situation because it was a part of me I could not change.
Luckily for me, my friends and family understood but unfortunately living in a small town
means news travels fast and soon enough everyone knew my sexuality. This brought
on years of bullying and the walk to school became a verbal assault course as I
dodged schoolchildren, often younger than me, constantly reminding me that I was
gay. This seemed ridiculous to me and I often would reply with “Yes, I am” because
what else is there to say?
During my childhood and teens I felt there was a distinct lack of role models for the gay
community and even though the situation has improved since the days of blankety
blank, there is a long way to go.
One man who is making a difference is lecturer David Watters, who has taken
inspiration from Harvey Milk and written his debut book; ‘Never Blend In: The Legacy of
Harvey Milk’. The book’s main aim is to challenge the stereotypes that the media has
created and to give support to the gay community.
With big names such as Stephen Fry and Alan Cummings getting involved with the
project, I went to interview David Watters to see how it’s going:
Why did you decide to write the book?
I’ve always been interested in equal rights and very political in my teenage years and
through teaching I’ve realised how people with low self-esteem are
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My name is Kieran James Prout.
I'm 20 years old and have recently graduated from university with first class honours in Radio
Production, which included my documentary that is linked in with story. I'm now looking for work
to further my career in the radio industry.
My name is Kieran James Prout.
I'm 20 years old and have recently graduated from university with first class honours in Radio
Production, which included my documentary that is linked in with story. I'm now looking for work
to further my career in the radio industry.
| . |
