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Prince William’s historic show of LGBT support makes headlines around the globe

By Anthony Lorenzo

Prince William made history yesterday, becoming the first member of the British Royal Family to appear on the cover of an LGBT publication in Attitude’s July Issue – available to download now and in shops from next Wednesday (June 22).

HRH the Duke of Cambridge invited Attitude, along with members of the LGBT community to Kensington Palace to discuss homophobic, bi-phobic and transphobic bullying, and what impact it has on mental health.

In the wake of Sunday’s tragic shooting at a gay club in Orlando, Florida, the Duke’s show of solidarity with the LGBT community could not have come at a better time, generating headlines around the globes at the future King of the United Kindgom tells young LGBT people they have “nothing to be ashamed of”.

The thoughts of millions around the world will have now turned to the homophobic bullying and mental health issues experienced by members of our community, as the Duke follows in the footsteps of his mother Princess Diana, who was famously supportive of the LGBT community and those living with HIV/AIDS right up until her tragic death in 1997.

Editorial director of Attitude Matthew Todd kicked off the snowballing tide of media coverage yesterday with an appearance on Channel 5 News, where he spoke about the Prince’s appearance, and the effects of homophobia on LGBT people.

The cover story quickly made its way around the world.

“Prince William becomes first royal family member photographed for cover of gay publication”.

It wasn’t just the West paying attention, either. News agencies in countries like Kenya, where homosexuality is punishable with up to 14 years’ imprisonment, also took notice – evidence of the ripple effect caused by the Prince’s cover.

The cover is doing what it is meant to do: Raise global awareness of the scourge of homophobia, even in countries where homosexuality can lead to state-sanctioned oppression, and sometimes death.

The hope is that cover stories such as these, featuring prominent people supporting the LGBT community, will lead to a sea change in attitudes.

Here are just some of the headlines generated by the Prince’s historic show of LGBT support:

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More stories:
Making history: Prince William appears on the cover of Attitude
Liam Gallagher slammed for homophobic tweet just days after Orlando shooting