it was about 400 pages long. It was about a boy
who discovered that he was not from this world,
that his parents were not from this world and
that he had inherited the gift of seeing things
that no one else could. There were two evil
aunts and a whole host of weird monsters. I was
inspired a lot by Harry Potter and Lord of the
Rings. Looking back it was all over the place, but
I can still remember how much effort I put in to
it. I just knew that is what I wanted to do with
my life.
That’s really fantastic considering your age. Is
your life really as wild and crazy as the videos
make out?
That’s tricky! Things seem to happen to me a lot
that don’t happen to many people; sometimes I
end up in situations where people are like “was
this real?” However, there is the real side to me
- I am actually nothing like the guy who does
videos. In fact, I am actually really quiet and shy.
The whole ‘being known’ thing for me was very
strange, in fact I never once felt comfortable
with people knowing me outside of Facebook or
YouTube. When my face was on paper and I did
a radio interview, people started to know it was
me. I would love to do videos and be creative
but also have that side of me where no one really
knew me. People who see me online assume I
do this to be known, or for attention but I don’t
actually like the attention. I continue to do the
videos simply because I have so many ideas and
things I want to say and express and it’s good to
release all that in any form.
People must recognise you a lot! How do you feel
about your new-found fame?
I never thought about it until weird things
happened, like I was in London and got stopped
by a fan, and now when I walk around Ayr
everyone yells my name! In the gay scene in
Glasgow I get people talking to me, and I am
just overwhelmed. I always try to be nice and
welcoming but inside I am thinking “why me”?
You’re becoming a local LGBT icon. How do you
feel about that?
Am I? Oh gosh. I have had some really cool
THE STUDENT VOICE: EDITION 2
am
“ Ithe nothing like
guy who
does videos.
In fact, I am actually
really quiet
and shy.
“
INTERVIEW LEE GILMOUR
emails from young girls and guys who said I
helped them feel better about their sexuality.
That alone is worth it. The fame side does not
interest me at all, but if I can use this platform to
help and inspire others whilst making something
of myself then that’s what I want. To be known as
somebody of worth is my main goal.
So, you feel like you’ve helped people be more
comfortable with their sexuality?
Yes. I have had emails where guys have said
they don’t feel so afraid because they see I speak
my mind and it makes them feel better. I never
expected that at all. I am not exactly role model
material, but then maybe that’s why they like it,
because I don’t try to be.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself hopefully published, travelling
lots, and settled down with someone. I love the
notion of a little family sort of set up.
That’s awesome! I wish you all the best with that.
Lastly, an entirely unrelated question: if you
could only take 6 items on to a deserted island,
what would they be?
Paper and pen, Pure Synergy (a healthy organic
food I love), a Kindle, a toothbrush and
toothpaste!
Nice choices! Thanks Lee!
Ayrshire College marked LGBT history month with
a new poster campaign. You can view our staff and
student podcasts at
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