{"id":1436703,"date":"2025-06-06T16:25:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T15:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/?p=1436703"},"modified":"2025-06-09T14:08:31","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T13:08:31","slug":"this-pride-queer-and-trans-icons-write-letters-to-their-younger-selves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/life\/this-pride-queer-and-trans-icons-write-letters-to-their-younger-selves\/","title":{"rendered":"This Pride, queer and trans icons write letters to their younger selves"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Bel Priestley to Vanity Milan, leading LGBTQIA+ figures reflect on the lessons they wish they had known earlier. <\/span><\/p>\n

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH\u00a0GARNIER MICELLAR WATER<\/b>
\nCHARITY PARTNER\u00a0JUST LIKE US<\/b>
\nGARNIER CREATIVE AGENCY\u00a0FRESHEATHER<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/p>

This Pride, Gay Times and Garnier are thrilled to unveil a new project celebrating queer coming of age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve invited a host of LGBTQIA+ talent to reflect on how they came into their identity, reflecting on all the joy, confusion and breakthroughs which led them to a place of self-love and radical acceptance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For three years, Garnier has proudly partnered with Just Like Us, a UK charity which works to support schools and empower younger people within the LGTBQIA+ community nationwide.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the UK’s #1 skincare product* Garnier\u2019s beloved Micellar water has long been a cult favourite of the LGBTQIA+ community. As a make-up remover and cleanser suitable for all skin types, Garnier Micellar is the perfect product to help individuals embrace the art of self expression \u2013 make-up or no make-up, it’s time to celebrate the skin you are in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Below, Bel Priestley, Vanity Milan, Mitchell Halliday, Jason Kwan, Way of Yaw and Charley Marlowe share heartfelt pieces of advice to their younger selves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bel Priestley<\/h2>\n

To my younger self,<\/p>\n

Never let someone else\u2019s narrative define who you are.<\/p>\n

People will try their hardest to discourage you from being yourself, but you must prevail \u2013 no matter what. Never, ever listen to haters; they are always wrong. It gets easier, and you\u2019ll care less and less as time goes on.<\/p>\n

You are incredibly strong \u2013 even if you don\u2019t always feel that way, it\u2019s true. Being trans is one of the hardest journeys anyone can face, and yet you are becoming the beautiful woman you\u2019ve always wanted to be, with such grace.<\/p>\n

Every day, you will grow more into the person you truly are and want to be. One day, you\u2019ll feel fully like yourself \u2013 I promise. You\u2019re going to achieve everything you dream of, and so much more. Just stay focused on you. Enjoy the process.<\/p>\n

There will be challenges along the way, but don\u2019t let them change who you are. Never forget where you come from or who you are. Let that knowledge empower and motivate you.<\/p>\n

You are so special. Never forget that.<\/p>\n

Love,<\/p>\n

Bel x<\/p>\n

Vanity Milan<\/h2>\n

To my younger self,<\/p>\n

I know you\u2019re scared. I know you\u2019re confused. I know you\u2019re constantly checking to see if the world has figured out your secret. You try to blend in, not stand out, and silence parts of yourself that are begging to shine.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the truth: you were never meant to shrink. There will come a day when you stop apologising for who you are. When you realise that Pride isn\u2019t just a month or a parade. It\u2019s a daily act of showing up for yourself, exactly as you are. You\u2019ll learn that softness is strength. And your queerness? It\u2019s not a burden. It\u2019s your superpower. You\u2019ll meet your people. You\u2019ll fall in love. You\u2019ll laugh, really laugh, without worrying about how you look or who\u2019s watching. And the things you once tried to hide will become the things you\u2019re most proud of.<\/p>\n

It took time, but now, when I remove my make-up, I\u2019m not erasing anything. I\u2019m revealing everything. The confidence. The joy. The journey. The Pride. Every wipe is a reminder that I no longer need to hide because being me is worth celebrating.<\/p>\n

Removing my make-up doesn\u2019t strip anything away. It brings me closer to myself. Closer to truth. Closer to Pride.<\/p>\n

With love,
\nYour older, prouder, unapologetic you<\/p>\n

Charley Marlowe<\/h2>\n

To my younger self,<\/p>\n

If I were to tell you one thing, it would be that there\u2019s a reason you\u2019ll feel the way you do.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a reason you feel different. You\u2019re gay and in hindsight you should have realised that a lot sooner.<\/p>\n

I wish you\u2019d been surrounded with more education and acceptance. But you always had a laugh regardless. And that\u2019s made you who you are today. You\u2019re still learning. And you\u2019ll use your platform to advocate for the other members in your community. You are so loved, and I wish I could tell you that there\u2019s nothing to be afraid of. It\u2019ll all be okay.<\/p>\n

Love,<\/p>\n

Charley<\/p>\n

Way of Yaw<\/h2>\n

To my younger self,<\/p>\n

It\u2019s okay not to totally understand yourself right now. It is a beautiful journey of self discovery.<\/p>\n

Some people in your life won\u2019t accept you, but you will find amazing people that totally embrace every part of you.<\/p>\n

You will try to fit into the stereotypes of masculinity and femininity, but realise you are the best of both. You will see that your outward appearance does not define you.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t allow people\u2019s opinions of you to define you. Instead, let your confidence and authenticity guide you to your true self.<\/p>\n

Love,<\/p>\n

Yaw<\/p>\n

Mitchell Halliday<\/h2>\n

To my younger self,<\/p>\n

Instead of wondering why people aren\u2019t accepting you, start thinking about why you aren\u2019t accepting yourself.<\/p>\n

The world might not see it right now, but as soon as you feel it, that will become infectious. Stand in your power, your power is yourself.<\/p>\n

Love,<\/p>\n

Mitchell<\/p>\n

Jason Kwan<\/h2>\n

To my younger self,<\/p>\n

You\u2019re going to realise that not fitting in is your greatest strength. They\u2019re going to say you\u2019re too loud, too expressive, and too much. But all these things will make you the unique creative that you are.<\/p>\n

People will soon embrace your expression and celebrate your creativity. So, give yourself time and patience to explore who you are. Have fun with it! You\u2019re going to find an incredible chosen family who will uplift you and support you.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let those who doubt you define who you are. Keep breaking free and stomping forward. Trust me, it\u2019s so worth the ride.<\/p>\n

Love,<\/p>\n

Jason<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From Bel Priestley to Vanity Milan, leading LGBTQIA+ figures reflect on the lessons they wish they had known earlier. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH\u00a0GARNIER MICELLAR WATER CHARITY PARTNER\u00a0JUST LIKE US GARNIER CREATIVE\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7364,"featured_media":1437040,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"templates\/feature.php","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[258,532],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThis Pride, queer and trans icons write letters to their younger selves<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From Bel Priestley to Vanity Milan, leading LGBTQIA+ figures reflect on the lessons they wish they had known earlier.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/life\/this-pride-queer-and-trans-icons-write-letters-to-their-younger-selves\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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