Find your superpower and be proud to BYOU!
Being young and LGBT, or not sure, can sometimes be difficult. Everyone has their own strengths and skills and you can draw on these to help you feel more confident about being yourself. Sometimes you will need some support from other people who have different strengths and skills to help you get there.
For Manchester Pride 2013 we devised our own superheroes. We know this was a couple of years ago but we thought this information might still be useful to give you the inspiration to be you!
Each superhero is based on the skills or strengths we think we have (our superpowers!). Our aim is to use our own superpowers to help ourselves and other people. We want everyone to be confident enough to reveal their true identities and be proud to BYOU.
What’s your superpower? You are welcome to come along to the BYOU group and we’ll help you find out.
Take a look at our superheroes to see if any of them have the superpowers you need to help you do this...or come along to BYOU project and meet us for real!
Email: b.youproject@wigan.gov.uk
Our superheroes
4 Foot Hero
Superpower:
"I am four foot nothing but super strong!"
I can help you:
When you want to rise above bullying or abuse. Keep your head held high and always smile! When you get knocked down you have to get back up again ten times stronger!
Captain Propagayda
Superpower:
"I send positive messages out through the TV!"
I can help you:
When you are sick of seeing gay stereotypes on TV. Don’t feel you have to conform to a stereotype made up by the media. Let the media and the world see you for who you really are.
Supergem
Superpower:
"I give others the confidence to sparkle."
I can help you:
If you are afraid to express yourself. Don’t be scared of what others think. It is your opinion that matters. If you’re happy, that is what matters. Don’t change yourself to suit other people. You’re unique, don’t be afraid to be different if that’s who you are.
Liberty
Superpower:
"I draw empathy and understanding into the world!"
I can help you:
If other people aren’t willing to take the time to understand you and are giving you a hard time. Some people are not good at understanding others and some people don’t want to. Sometimes this is because of things that have happened in their own lives that mean they have developed certain views and find it too hard to be open minded or even to listen to another point of view. You have the right to be yourself. Rise above anything anyone says that makes you feel bad about who you are.
Friendly Phantom
Superpower:
"If people are feeling down I can instantly cheer them up!"
I can help you:
If you are feeling sad I can help you put a smile back on your face. Talk to a friend you can trust or a youth worker about how you are feeling. Look after your physical health by making sure you eat well and get enough sleep. Make time to relax. Work out what makes you sad and what makes you happy and try to spend time with positive people who make you feel good about yourself.
If your feelings of sadness become overwhelming or last for a very long time you can talk to Childline 0800 11 11 or to the Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 (email jo@samaritans.org) at any time.
The Artist
Superpower:
"I paint colour and friendship into the world."
I can help you:
If you’re worried your friends won’t accept you for who you are. True friends stick by you through thick and thin and never judge you. If you spend time around positive and supportive people, you are more likely to have a better self image and be more confident and able to face difficult times. If you are caring and supportive to other people you are more likely to get a positive response from them.
If you want to meet more people your age you could take a look at our Things To Do pages to see if any of the groups or projects interest you or come along to the BYOU group!
Chord Striker and The Dancer
Chord Striker’s Superpower:
"My magic guitar helps people to express themselves through music."
The Dancer’s Superpower:
"I help people to express themselves freely!"
We can help you:
To find the confidence to do something creative. Being creative such as getting involved in drama, music, writing or art, can help you to express yourself positively and deal with any difficult emotions in a positive way. Playing music or dancing are especially good as it can help you to express feelings that might be difficult to put into words. Giving yourself a challenge to try something new can also help to improve your confidence.
Incredible Listener
Superpower:
"People tell me their worries and they disappear."
I can help you:
When you just need someone to talk to. If you are finding life difficult, talking something through with someone and knowing that there is someone who understands, can make you feel a lot better.
Youth workers are here for all young people to talk to on a one to one basis if you need to. Take a look in the Things to Do section or Local services to help section to find out where you can meet your youth workers or email b.youproject@wigan.gov.uk
Dream Catcher
Superpower:
"I catch your nightmares and turn them into happy dreams."
I can help you:
When you need to relax. It’s important to make time to relax in your week and have some quiet time, even if you don’t feel under stress, as this can help you to stay happy and help you cope with difficulties in life.
Having a good night’s sleep is also important to help you stay positive in life. Eating well, taking exercise, getting some daylight and avoiding caffeine in the afternoons and evenings can all help you to sleep well. Sometimes things such as worries, alcohol, some medications, changes to sleep patterns, stress or trauma or a poor environment (such as a noisy, bright or uncomfortable room) can get in the way of you getting a good night’s sleep.
If you are having trouble sleeping and you are not sure why, your GP might be able to help. If worries are keeping you awake, come along to the BYOU group for a chat or get in touch with one of our youth workers at b.youproject@wigan.gov.uk
Captain Can-Do
Superpower:
"I can help you to BYOU!"
One of the most important steps in being mentally healthy and happy is about learning to accept yourself. The superheroes’ advice on these pages can help you do this.
If you need more support, take a look at the local services to help you or contact the BYOU project on b.youproject@wigan.gov.uk