You are not a sinner – your life is as valuable and as god-given as any life. God doesn’t make mistakes and just because heterosexuals “appear” to be in the majority, that doesn’t make them God’s appointed representatives on earth and the only model of humanity.
We are not here to judge or be judged by any characteristic that labels us as in a minority and I’m sure that, like me, you do many more “Christian” things to better the lives of others than the so-called Christians who knock on my door to tell me that theirs is the way to the truth and the light.
I was busy organising an AIDS charity event last time they came knocking and had spent much of the previous day supporting a suicidal teenager, for example.
It didn’t matter to them that my street is full of the entire catalogue of religious beliefs and non-believers, they were on a mission to convert and convince us all that our lives were wrong. I’m all for “Love thy neighbour” but let’s love him as he is.
Using the term sin to describe my life, based on one characteristic, is limiting and dangerous. Worse of all, taking that word and believing it to be true, is when most damage is done to our self-esteem.
So, you, me, and all the others who have been labelled this way, by a follower of a book written many years ago and misinterpreted by millions of illiterates, should stop and think about what humanity should be about and forget the dogma-based bigotry that has been designed to control and suppress for far too long.
Taking the mangled “word of God” and using it as a tool to oppress and control; THAT is the deadliest sin of all.
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Director of NBI Associates, motivational speaker and writer, David E. Watters, has recently launched a youtube video campaign to inspire, encourage and uplift those who may feel disenfranchised or who may lack self-belief.
THE “Give ‘em Hope” Video Campaign IS AN INITIATIVE TO INSPIRE ALL YOUTH AND ADULTS WHO MAY DOUBT THEIR VALIDITY because ALL people, regardless of cultural heritage, physical or psychological ability, age, sexuality or gender identity, may feel self-doubt at various stages in their lives.
Watters is seeking individuals, couples and groups to share their stories, in whichever way they choose, in a bid to provide support and encouragement to anyone who may question their place in the world. These stories of living authentically, with dignity and unlimited by labels will become a powerful toolkit to help others understand how self-perception determines the path that they choose and that life need not be a self fulfilling prophecy when they improve self-concept, drive out fear and embrace new challenges as opportunities to learn and to grow.
Director of NBI Associates, motivational speaker and writer, David E. Watters, has recently launched a youtube video campaign to inspire, encourage and uplift those who may feel disenfranchised or who may lack self-belief.
THE “Give ‘em Hope” Video Campaign IS AN INITIATIVE TO INSPIRE ALL YOUTH AND ADULTS WHO MAY DOUBT THEIR VALIDITY because ALL people, regardless of cultural heritage, physical or psychological ability, age, sexuality or gender identity, may feel self-doubt at various stages in their lives.
Watters is seeking individuals, couples and groups to share their stories, in whichever way they choose, in a bid to provide support and encouragement to anyone who may question their place in the world. These stories of living authentically, with dignity and unlimited by labels will become a powerful toolkit to help others understand how self-perception determines the path that they choose and that life need not be a self fulfilling prophecy when they improve self-concept, drive out fear and embrace new challenges as opportunities to learn and to grow.
Director of NBI Associates, motivational speaker and writer, David E. Watters, has recently launched a youtube video campaign to inspire, encourage and uplift those who may feel disenfranchised or who may lack self-belief. THE “Give ‘em Hope” Video Campaign IS AN INITIATIVE TO INSPIRE ALL YOUTH AND ADULTS WHO MAY DOUBT THEIR VALIDITYbecause ALL people, regardless of cultural heritage, physical or psychological ability, age, sexuality or gender identity, may feel self-doubt at various stages in their lives. Watters is seeking individuals, couples and groups to share their stories, in whichever way they choose, in a bid to provide support and encouragement to anyone who may question their place in the world. These stories of living authentically, with dignity and unlimited by labels will become a powerful toolkit to help others understand how self-perception determines the path that they choose and that life need not be a self fulfilling prophecy when they improve self-concept, drive out fear and embrace new challenges as opportunities to learn and to grow.
God (whatever that is for you) really does love you just the way you are; SHE made you perfect just as you are so try to love yourself just a little more…SHE MAKES NO MISTAKES. All creation is beautiful and in our diversity we illuminate the world.
FIRST DELIVERED IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON AS PART OF THE VIGIL AGAINST HATE CRIME ORGANISED BY MARK HEALEY AND 17-24-30
My message tonight is that Somehow in some way YOU are capable of great things.
This is not a time for silence but a time to take personal responsibility, to speak out and to share our humanity; because the most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation of the spiritand YOU, as much as anyone, can influence real social change.
Harvey Bernard Milk, and others of his generation, fought for social progress with intelligence and creativity.
Harvey talked of breaking down the closet doors, yet for many these doors remain firmly locked; bolted both inside and out.
On the surface, it seems that society has grown more “accepting”, note the inverted commas, of the LGBT community but this, in itself, still suggests that “acceptance” is required, that we are “less than” and that our VALUE is based upon the judgment of others. (?)
ALL the “ism’s” still exist and, YES, ALLprejudices have equal importance, require of us to remain vigilant and ALLmustbe actively challenged.
Bigoted behaviour occurs in many different ways and can range, as YOU know, from subtle to malicious and even if Bigotry is, in theory, being addressed in the law, in policy and in procedure within schools and in the workplace, culturallythe progress is much slower.
We must not allow ourselves to be defined and judged solely by sexuality or gender identity any more than we should be defined or judged by our cultural heritage, the colour of our skin, our profession, our income or even… our taste in music.
For us to effectively tackleany of the “isms”, we all must engage in actions which address discrimination and prejudicial attitudes in every area of our society; our schools and universities, our workplaces, our communities and our shopping malls.
Each and every one of us has an obligation to take responsibility for making our society safer, fairer and more inclusive and we should not rely on the good will and hard work of others to secure that just and equal society, whilst complaining that we ourselves are powerless.
Whatever YOUR strengths, whatever YOUR core character traits, there is something thatYOU can do to influence change in the world.
It’s not about waving a placard or marching in a parade, unless that’s your style. Instead, it’s about finding the correct method of communication for YOU.
Sign that petition, tweet and retweet your views, repost a powerful YouTube video or an article you’ve found, Facebook or MySpace it, write to your MP, talk to, write to, email if you have to political leaders, police forces, health services, broadcasters and employersso that they too can all positively influence the way that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are perceived.
We can no longer wait for another Harvey Milk to follow or rely on the Peter Tatchell’s of this world, the pioneers, the visionaries, to fight our fight; but instead must learn ways to be tenacious, tireless and determined advocates for social equality ourselves.
We must, ourselves, find the strength, resolveanddetermination to lead and influence the change we want to see, to bring hope to those who have none.
Somehow in some waywe too can be capable of great things.
HERE’S MY SPEECH FROM SATURDAY’S VIGIL. FROM 3MINS ON
Invite DAVID To Speak!
Since graduating from The Institute of Education, University of London, David has gone on to train with LEAP, as a mediator, and is a qualified facilitator for The Pacific Institute.
As a teacher, David has worked in both the public and private sectors. His focus has been on inclusion with regard to Special Educational Needs and the development of Creative Partnerships.
David, who regularly writes for www.ambiente.us, One Nation and Polari, has been championed by Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk and Equality Advocate, who has said: “I love your work, which is vital to show the richness of embracing and celebrating our wonderful diversity. As Harvey would say, you’re bringing medicine into the world that the world needs! Thank you!”
His background in the arts and education, combined with a solid understanding of CBT and his passion for Equality Advocacy make him a creative and innovative program planner, facilitator and public speaker.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BRYONY…YET ANOTHER STAR STUDENT FROM GCC.
ALSO, ALTHOUGH SHE DIDN’T GET THROUGH, ANOTHER EX-STUDENT OF MINE ANNASTASIA BAKER DID INCREDIBLY WELL ON X FACTOR. SHE GOT TO JUDGES HOUSES AGAIN… MY GUESS IS THAT THE MARKET IS LOOKING FOR QUIRKY WHITE GIRLS BUT ANNASTASIA IS A DEDICATED AND COMMITED PERFORMER WHO WILL DO WELL REGARDLESS OF LIMITING LABELS AND SHALLOW PERCEPTIONS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
WHO CAN FORGET RACHEL ADEDEJI
WHO MADE IT TO THE LIVE SHOWS:
KEVIN SEVILLA IN EASTENDERS
AND ALL THE YEAR ONE AND TWO STUDENTS WHO APPEARED IN BOLLYWOOD HIT, VEER.
OH, AND…HOLLY HARRISON
WHO NOW HAS A SONY DEAL:
THERE ARE SO MANY MORE.
NOT BAD FOR A DEPARTMENT WHICH NEVER HAD ANY SUPPORT
….JUST GREAT STAFF AND A BUNCH OF LOVELY STUDENTS.
17-24-30 is a non-profit organisation run completely by volunteers. Our primary focus is to remember and mark the anniversaries of the London Nail Bomb Attacks on Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho and to support the communities that were attacked to unite people against all forms of Hate Crime.
DAVID SAYS:
“This is not a time for silence but a time to take personal responsibility, to speak out and to share our humanity; because the most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation of the spiritand YOU, as much as anyone, can influence real social change.”
Invite DAVID To Speak!
David has worked internationally as both a singer and director for more than 20 years and has taught drama and music within socially and culturally diverse settings.
Since graduating from The Institute of Education, University of London, David has gone on to train with LEAP, as a mediator, and is a qualified facilitator for The Pacific Institute.
As a teacher, David has worked in both the public and private sectors. His focus has been on inclusion with regard to Special Educational Needs and the development of Creative Partnerships.
David, who regularly writes for www.ambiente.us, One Nation and Polari, has been championed by Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk and Equality Advocate, who has said: “I love your work, which is vital to show the richness of embracing and celebrating our wonderful diversity. As Harvey would say, you’re bringing medicine into the world that the world needs! Thank you!”
His background in the arts and education, combined with a solid understanding of CBT and his passion for Equality Advocacy make him a creative and innovative program planner, facilitator and public speaker.
As a young child and into my late teens, I was introverted and found it difficult to connect with people my own age. I felt different to my peers; I couldn’t relate or blend in and subconsciously, and this is only in retrospect, I didn’t want to blend in.
My “truth” was that I was a little bit weird and, as a teenager especially, that wasn’t a great thing to be. I was bullied in high school and mocked by two particular teachers at a time when my parents had separated and my sexuality was beginning to become evident.
At this time, as you can imagine, my self-esteem was low and this impacted upon my ability to learn, retain and achieve in any area that wasn’t entirely stimulating.
I sought out likeminded people, teachers and students, who shared my interest for art, creative writing and music and was fortunate enough to find validation from those teachers whose passions I shared.
I also found role models beyond my small world; Boy George, Freddie Mercury, Jimmy Somerville, Kate Bush, Morrissey, Neil Tennant, and Toyah Wilcox, whose inspirational lyrics told of very different lives and worlds to my own.
It was music that brought me to London where, at 21, equally terrified and exhilarated, I took a place at Trinity College of Music. Now, this might sound like I had developed self-confidence but the opposite was actually true. All I knew was that I wanted to sing, to communicate through music and do this until someone discovered that I was faking it!
When I won my first singing prize, I remember thinking that some sort of miracle had just occurred and vowed then to go on to the next challenge and the one after that. Classmates seemed super confident; some to the point of arrogance, and this intimidated me.
Self doubt and the fear of being found out had an extremely detrimental effect on my development; I naively believed negative feedback and took it to be accurate without questioning the motives or hidden agenda behind the comments.
It is only with hindsight that I can see how my poor self image led me to set myself limited goals and how different the 4 years at Trinity might have been had I known.
Professional work did come, and this did validate me, but I still felt that the companies who had employed me would realise their error and tell me to go.
So you see, because of my low self image I habitually criticised and doubted myself, believing that what others had told me was true and then limiting my expectations of life; I subconsciously created the negative outcomes that I felt were deserved.
My past conditioning, that I was no-good, meant that I truly believed that I was not worthy of the things that I desired and it was only after many years that I began to change this perception, heighten my self-esteem and move toward personal and professional goals with clear vision and purpose.
Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true.
BUDDHAhttp://www.nbiassociates.co.uk/
A PRO-EQUALITY BLOG, written by Diversity Specialist, writer and motivational speaker David E Watters (NBI ASSOCIATES).
Articles on Equality & Diversity, Personal & Professional Development, Education & Management; his book, NEVER BLEND IN (http://www.nbiassociates.co.uk/Never-Blend-In.html), and the Give 'em Hope Campaign http://www.nbiassociates.co.uk/Give--em-Hope-Campaign.html)
