A magazine cover this significant could not have come at a better time.
Just a few days after the horrible mass shooting that took 49 innocent lives in Orlando, Florida, the Duke of Cambridge has made history by covering the July issue of Attitude, the first royal to ever cover a LBGTQ magazine.
HRH met a group of young LGBT people convened by @AttitudeMag to discuss bullying at Kensington Palace in May 2016 pic.twitter.com/V6XLWQJbNB
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 15, 2016
Those involved hinted yesterday at something after William and the Duchess of Cambridge signed the book of condolence for Orlando victims at the U.S. Embassy in London.
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Representatives of LGBTQ association gliffa were there to greet the Cambridges, and William let it slip that he was involved with an upcoming Attitude project.
According to ITV News, Kensington Palace would not elaborate on the Duke’s comments.
“We look forward to speaking about this soon,” the palace stated yesterday.
No one had to wait long, because the palace tweeted the news this morning.
On May 12th, William invited representatives from Attitude and the LGBTQ community to the palace to hear their personal stories about bullying based on their sexuality.
Proud to say that I am one of the #LGBT* people who met with @AttitudeMag & Prince William to discuss Mental Health pic.twitter.com/m53nAtN7aY
— Matt May (@theemattmay) June 15, 2016
“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,” William said in a statement, according to the magazine.
“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.”
The July issue of Attitude hits UK newsstands July 22nd (print copies, according to the magazine, are available to order for international readers).
Watch the (very beautifully edited) video below of William’s meeting with members from the community.
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