Heir to the English throne Prince William spoke out against LGBT bullying last week during a visit to the Hammersmith Academy, a school for 11-18 year olds in London. Along with sending a positive message to a classroom, a country, and the world, the news is significant because it appears to be the first time Prince William has publicly spoken out about LGBT rights.
“Though the Royal Family are involved in hundreds of charities, they are almost never seen to be embracing the cause of LGBT rights,” reports the UK’s Pink News. The future monarch came to Hammersmith with staff from the Diana Award (named for the Prince’s late mother), which runs anti-bullying workshops across the country:
Though the Royal Family are involved in hundreds of charities, they are almost never seen to be embracing the cause of LGBT rights. … Given the Monarch’s role as head of the Commonwealth, and as 90% of Commonwealth citizens still live under anti-gay laws, the Royals generally avoid all reference to gay equality. No Royals have ever spoken in favour of same-sex marriage. … However, Prince William actively spoke out against homophobia in the visit, alongside Education Secretary and Equalities minister Nicky Morgan.
Joining a session on LGBT issues, the students were asked how they would react to homophobic bullying. The Duke of Cambridge indicated he would confront those behind any comments and comfort the victims. …
Though the comments may seem minor, they are a strong statement of intent from the future Monarch – who may one day be charged with deciding to “confront” anti-gay leaders from across the Commonwealth.
