Prince William featured on gay magazine cover
Prince William has just become the first British royal to grace the cover of a gay magazine, as he speaks out against bullying especially of the homophobic kind.
With the caption "Making History, Prince William Meets Attitude," the magazine's July issue features a laughing prince, chin resting on his hand.
The cover also quotes the Duke of Cambridge as saying, "No one should be bullied for their sexuality or any other reason."
On May 12, William invited Attitude and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community at the Kensington Palace to discuss how homophobic bullying impacts mental health. Together with his wife, Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge, and his younger brother, Prince Harry, the royals are leading a campaign called Heads Together to spearhead against the stigma surrounding mental health.
"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," William told the magazine.
Attitude quoted a 2015 study revealing that among the LGB young people, 33.9 percent of them have attempted suicide at least once in their lives. For the transgender young people, the number is higher at 48.1 percent. The numbers are in contrast to suicide attempts among young straight people which is at 17.9 percent.
William declared, "No one should have to put up with the kind of hate that these young people have endured in their lives."
He is seen as following his late mother's footsteps, Princess Diana, who also appeared on the cover of a gay magazine after her tragic death in 1997 and worked with those suffering from Aids.
Attitude released the July issue to the press on June 8, only a few days before the Orlando mass shooting incident.
The issue carries a message to the LGBT people that may sound cliché yet made more meaningful because of the person who delivered it.
"You should be proud of the person you are and you have nothing to be ashamed of," said the future King of the United Kingdom.