News
We talk to 19 year old budding poet Kirsty Crinson about coming out at school and why people need more education about LGBT issues.
I first met outgoing nineteen year old Kirsty Crinson on International Women’s Day, she’d just taken up a mega-phone in Manchester’s Sackville Gardens and recited her poem about coming out - not only was she coming out to a whole bunch of strangers, she was also coming out to her Nan for the first time too...I caught up with Kirsty to talk about girls, boys and living your own life.
Coming out to your Nan seemed pretty emotional?
I’m out to my mum and I knew she was coming to hear the poem, but then she invited my Nan, who I’ve never directly come out to. It all got off to a bad start, because I’d cut my hair short and my Nan hated it. Then I read the poem, and Nan just burst into tears. It was a pretty big day for her really because she also met my girlfriend for the first time too. She’s come to realise being gay isn’t a bad thing. She appreciates I’m an individual.
When did you know you were a lesbian?
I came out when I was 15 but I knew way before then. I put off coming out for ages because already I got picked on for everything, I thought if people knew I was gay it would just be another stick to beat me with. I went out with lads, it might have made other people happy, but it wasn’t making me happy. When I eventually came out, I was so used to getting remarks I just shrugged them off.
To be honest I got dragged out of the closet. I came out to someone I trusted and they totally betrayed me and spread it round the school. I didn’t have it easy, but I had it a lot easier than some. I’m chuffed that I’m out and can be myself.
Are your parents supportive of your sexuality?
My dad found out when he saw me in Manchester with my girlfriend. He’s totally fine with it, but he was a bit upset that I didn’t confide in him.
My mum actually thought that my brother was gay – he’s very metrosexual and moisturises, but he’s totally into girls. I asked her if she’d be bothered if me, Danny or my sister were gay. She said she wouldn’t mind, so I told her.
Have you ever experienced any homophobia?
There have been a lot of times at work where my sexuality has been the butt of the joke, it’s meant as banter, but it just gets tedious. In my current job I’ve had it pretty bad - people hacking into my facebook and posting offensive comments – I’ve reported it and it’s being handled really well. I’ve had abuse in the street, lads shouting “dyke” and being aggressive. I don’t take offence. I see it like they’re just trying to show off and half the time I think they’ll have an inkling themselves, they're just trying to cover it up.
What irritates you?
I hate it when people accuse me of fancying my female mates. It’s just embarrassing. I had a lot of that in school - girls not inviting me to sleepovers because I’m gay. To be honest I get on better with lads, when they ask me about girls I just say “I look at girls the same way you do - some you like, some you don’t, some you fancy, some you want to be mates with.”
What’s the problem?
People are naive and uneducated. It’s good that places like the LGF go into schools (The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) are one of the partners who work on Exceeding Expectations). Kids get education about drugs and pregnancy, so why don’t all kids get to know about gay issues? I didn’t know what gay meant for years. I thought I was the only one, a freak, a weirdo. People need to understand; it’s hard to come out if you don’t know what you are. It’s a lonely place hiding in the closet.
What about the poetry?
I’ve always liked writing and it’s definitely something I want to pursue. I’m going to do creative writing in College. I’ve always had a knack for making things rhyme; my mum said I should work for Hallmark.
So watch this space because Kirsty Crinson with her knack for rhyming couplets and storming confidence could well be adding her name to the list of illustrious poets like Carol Ann Duffy, Jackie Kay and Mike Garry currently residing in her hometown.
Check out Kirsty's poem and the rest of the interview at lgf.org.uk/young-gay-and-sorted/
Coming Out: A quarter of calls to the LGF Helpline are about issues relating to coming out. If you need to talk, we’re here to listen. Call the LGF helpline on 0845 3 30 30 30 (local call rate), 6pm-10pm (Staffed), 10pm-6pm (automated system) or email helpline@lgf.org.uk.
Coming out to your Nan seemed pretty emotional?
I’m out to my mum and I knew she was coming to hear the poem, but then she invited my Nan, who I’ve never directly come out to. It all got off to a bad start, because I’d cut my hair short and my Nan hated it. Then I read the poem, and Nan just burst into tears. It was a pretty big day for her really because she also met my girlfriend for the first time too. She’s come to realise being gay isn’t a bad thing. She appreciates I’m an individual.
When did you know you were a lesbian?
I came out when I was 15 but I knew way before then. I put off coming out for ages because already I got picked on for everything, I thought if people knew I was gay it would just be another stick to beat me with. I went out with lads, it might have made other people happy, but it wasn’t making me happy. When I eventually came out, I was so used to getting remarks I just shrugged them off.
To be honest I got dragged out of the closet. I came out to someone I trusted and they totally betrayed me and spread it round the school. I didn’t have it easy, but I had it a lot easier than some. I’m chuffed that I’m out and can be myself.
Are your parents supportive of your sexuality?
My dad found out when he saw me in Manchester with my girlfriend. He’s totally fine with it, but he was a bit upset that I didn’t confide in him.
My mum actually thought that my brother was gay – he’s very metrosexual and moisturises, but he’s totally into girls. I asked her if she’d be bothered if me, Danny or my sister were gay. She said she wouldn’t mind, so I told her.
Have you ever experienced any homophobia?
There have been a lot of times at work where my sexuality has been the butt of the joke, it’s meant as banter, but it just gets tedious. In my current job I’ve had it pretty bad - people hacking into my facebook and posting offensive comments – I’ve reported it and it’s being handled really well. I’ve had abuse in the street, lads shouting “dyke” and being aggressive. I don’t take offence. I see it like they’re just trying to show off and half the time I think they’ll have an inkling themselves, they're just trying to cover it up.
What irritates you?
I hate it when people accuse me of fancying my female mates. It’s just embarrassing. I had a lot of that in school - girls not inviting me to sleepovers because I’m gay. To be honest I get on better with lads, when they ask me about girls I just say “I look at girls the same way you do - some you like, some you don’t, some you fancy, some you want to be mates with.”
What’s the problem?
People are naive and uneducated. It’s good that places like the LGF go into schools (The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) are one of the partners who work on Exceeding Expectations). Kids get education about drugs and pregnancy, so why don’t all kids get to know about gay issues? I didn’t know what gay meant for years. I thought I was the only one, a freak, a weirdo. People need to understand; it’s hard to come out if you don’t know what you are. It’s a lonely place hiding in the closet.
What about the poetry?
I’ve always liked writing and it’s definitely something I want to pursue. I’m going to do creative writing in College. I’ve always had a knack for making things rhyme; my mum said I should work for Hallmark.
So watch this space because Kirsty Crinson with her knack for rhyming couplets and storming confidence could well be adding her name to the list of illustrious poets like Carol Ann Duffy, Jackie Kay and Mike Garry currently residing in her hometown.
Check out Kirsty's poem and the rest of the interview at lgf.org.uk/young-gay-and-sorted/
Coming Out: A quarter of calls to the LGF Helpline are about issues relating to coming out. If you need to talk, we’re here to listen. Call the LGF helpline on 0845 3 30 30 30 (local call rate), 6pm-10pm (Staffed), 10pm-6pm (automated system) or email helpline@lgf.org.uk.
The Statistics
80% of UK schools are aware of homophobic bullying incidents
6% of schools have policies targeting homophobic bullying
About 1 in 3 young LGBTs self-harm or attempt suicide
More facts >>