AN inspiring former Barrow Hall College student is a finalist in the Mr Gay Great Britain contest.
Andrew Gardiner, 39, battled with his mental health and faced bullying and discrimination throughout his childhood, but now hopes to win the national competition and be a voice for the LGBTQ+ community.
The former Great Sankey High pupil who grew up in Warrington has spoken of the opportunity to bring a positive change to the country through the outcome of the contest – with the winner being invited to attend the Houses of Parliament and be an instigator of change for the community.
His goal is to raise awareness of mental health within the LGBTQ+ community and to be a voice for those who still face daily discrimination.
Speaking on the contest, Andrew said: “I entered this competition because I knew it would be a brilliant platform for me to raise awareness and destigmatise mental health related experiences.
“I feel it is an area that people do not know how to engage in or truly support somebody they know who might be experiencing the complexity and breadth of poor mental health issues that there are.
“There is no cash prize in this competition. The winner is invited to the Houses of Parliament to instigate change within the LGBTQIA+ community and represent those who deal with the similar prejudices as myself.
“LGBTQIA+ people are still marginalised and face discrimination daily and do not have the same equalities.”
Andrew described his hopes of helping to support others through dark times, so they do not have to face the same battles he did growing up within the community.
“Mental health has affected myself and my family deeply,” he added.
“It is something you do not choose, it doesn’t discriminate and unfortunately services in the UK are overrun and underfinanced.
“Three out of four of my siblings identify as LGBTQIA+ so my family is pretty liberal but it was not always that easy, growing up as a gay person.
“It was very difficult in fact, especially in school because of course section 28 existed which prohibited the promotion of homosexuality between the years of 1988 and 2003 .
“Essentially this was when I grew up, straight off the back of the AIDS crisis where there was and is so much stigma.
“School was a tricky place, I faced bullying and discrimination daily and teachers did very little unfortunately because the nation lived under a guise that is was wrong, anyone identifying as gay was determined to be a second rate citizen.
“So of course, the only way to protect yourself was to deny it. That is a very lonely place to be.”
The contestant, who is the second oldest running as a finalist in this years Mr Gay GB, is currently based in Newcastle and runs an arts organisation, Society of Strays CIC.
Working in dance and music, the organisation sets out to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.
And as part of his work towards the contest, Andrew has started a mental health campaign, focusing on ensuring there is more guidance, support and sign posting for young people questioning their sexuality.
Detailing more on this campaign, he added: “Most LGBTQIA+ people do not grow up authentically. They hide themselves and later spend a life time undoing that disguise and freeing themselves of the shame they’ve grown up to feel. It’s a total prison.
“I was diagnosed Bipolar in January 2022 and I attribute some of this condition to this reality.
“LGBTQIA+ people are three times more likely to report mental health illnesses, young LGBTQIA+ people are 2.5 times more likely to have a mental health illness and in general the community is over 50 per cent more likely to consider suicide.
“Our society has contributed to this statistic because it’s been built on the back of misinformation and discrimination toward the queer community, which has left people feeling shame, isolation and distress which all which contribute to poor mental health.”
“By the age of 14, 50 per cent of mental health problems are established and by age 24 this increases to 75 per cent.”
Andrew stated that there is a missed opportunity to reduce or prevent these issues from developing into adulthood through early intervention and proper care.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to access immediate support and care to reduce this reality.
Queer youth are however more vulnerable and susceptible, so I think its paramount they have signposting and support in this moment of questioning sexuality or gender.”
As well as his campaign, Andrew is also fundraising for two key charities, Pride Action North and The Charlie Carter Foundation.
The competition will be held on August 26 at Alnwick Gardens in Northumberland.
Contestants will face seven rounds which include charity fundraisers, a LGBTQIA+ history exam, audience vote, a congeniality round, and three separate catwalks.
To donate to these charity fundraisers, visit Andrew’s link tree on Instagram at linktr.ee/andyjgardiner
The live audience vote is now open online to vote for Andrew to win, both on Facebook: tinyurl.com/AndrewGB and via Instagram: instagram.com/p/C78qkhNCnAq/
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