Scott McGlynn is an influencer, most known for his podcast and his massive Instagram following. In the modern era of social media, you may think he has it all. However, he still struggles with the lingering affects of his childhood. Twenty years ago Scott came out publicly as gay and was met with negativity from the offset.
The impact on his mental health was huge and stayed with him until his adult years. Blaming school as the reason for hiding his sexuality amongst peers, he also blamed his negative experience for quitting his love of sports. Talented in running and swimming, Scott put the hobbies to bed once he came out about his sexuality to his peers.
"I loved sports in primary school. I was good at all of it and I especially loved running and swimming," said the 35-year-old. "But high school changed that dream.. I left behind all my friends I'd been with for years and went to a school where I knew no one.
"It was then that I started to get noticed for all the wrong reasons, my high voice and bad acne. That's where the bullying started. I knew I was gay of course and I had known for ages, but to try and stop people bullying me I told everyone I was bisexual when I was about 14. That made it worse, though, and I got bullied even more."
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PE lessons began to get a lot tougher for Scott. With bullying a common occurrence, he claims that teachers ignored his bullying and his talents and simply watched as Scott's passion slowly faded. Mocked for his voice when answering question in class, Scott began to go in on himself and stopped asking questions which damaged his overall education.
"When I put my hand up to speak I was mocked," Scott said. "I was mocked by my classmates for my voice. I started getting the less busy bus to school to avoid the bullies and all this time I knew if I admitted to being gay my life would get even worse. I felt alone and suicidal."
Scott's experience in high school led him to leaving with no qualifications. With no confidence and little friends, he worked at McDonald's, where he says he was bullied as well.
Growing up in Barry before moving to Cardiff, Scott was finally able to come out properly and confidentially. Even introducing his current partner all those years ago and staying together ever since, Scott's experience has left a mark on his life and continues to bother him. With Barry Pride being a concept unheard of 20 years ago, Scott believes it signals a positive change but is still worried about schools doing enough to support LGBTQ+ people.
"It was only when I left McDonald's and moved to Cardiff that I finally was able to properly come out. I went back to Barry for my mum's birthday party and came out to my whole family by introducing my boyfriend Justin to them. We've been together ever since then."
Scott said thankfully things have changed since then - and attitudes towards people's sexuality have changed. However, he added there is still progress to be made and he wants to ensure that no one has to go through the same ordeal as he has.
He said: "[Barry Pride] to me signals change. Many of the local towns celebrate Pride. I'm still not sure our schools are doing all they can to support the LGBTQ+ teen communities but if we keep talking about it then eventually it will become the norm."
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