A transgender teenager highlighted the struggles and prejudice that he and other members of Bermuda’s LGBTQ+ community face on a regular basis.

Levi Masters, 14, told a crowd gathered at Hamilton City Hall that while he was supported by family and friends throughout his transition journey, he still does not feel safe on the island.

He explained: “Life is different from the playground, now I’m constantly scanning rooms, thinking about my body, thinking about how other people see me.

“Do they like me? Can they tell that I’m trans? Do they think I’m an interesting person? Do they care? My life is constantly about my appearance and it is exhausting.”

Mr Masters spoke during Bermuda’s first official observance of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

The global theme this year for the observance on May 17 is “at the heart of democracy”.

Despite the discrimination that he and others in Bermuda must rise above, Mr Masters believes things can change.

He said: “I believe that change starts when young people like me are given the chance to speak — maybe then, every young person who identifies with the LGBTQIA+ community will feel safe at their schools, in their homes and in this community.”

Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, agreed with Mr Masters that LGBTQ+ discrimination in Bermuda needs to be addressed.

She said tackling prejudice “must include listening, it must include shared respect for the lived experience of people who have faced discrimination and it must include an honest look at where our systems are falling short and a commitment to address those failures”.

Her comments came after charity OutBermuda led a survey involving 275 members of the LGBTQ+ community who were connected to Bermuda.

Half of respondents living in Bermuda said they were interested in leaving the island, including 70 per cent of participants aged between 18 and 24, and 73 per cent of those who attended school in Bermuda reported being bullied in the survey.

Discussing these results, Joshua Samuels, executive director of OutBermuda, said: “Bermuda cannot afford to lose LGBTQ+ people because they don’t feel safe, welcome or able to thrive here.

“We are Bermuda’s workers, we are its creatives, we are its students, we are its leaders, we are Bermuda’s future.”

Lisa Reed, executive officer at the Human Rights Commission, said everyone can work towards a fairer and more equitable Bermuda.

She said: “Progress grows through commitment and it calls each of us to show up, each of us to stand in support of human rights for all.

“So let us continue to stand in solidarity, to amplify voices and move forward together with courage and compassion as we address discrimination in this country.”

Dwayne Robinson, the Shadow Minister of Home and Community Affairs, urged people to speak out against discrimination and fight for their beliefs.

He explained: “Holding elected officials accountable, making your voices heard regarding the legislative agenda, running in elections and of course voting all give you a valuable platform.

“Beyond all that, just entering a room, whether it’s government or opposition, can make a huge difference in the agenda of your elected leaders and your visibility in their thought process when it comes to policy and legislation for you.”

Mr Robinson added: “Making Bermuda safer starts with accepting each other as we are and allowing every voice to be treated equally.”

Mia Chambray, the acting Mayor of Hamilton, also spoke during the ceremony.

She said: “As newly-appointed councillor of the City of Hamilton, I believe that our city should be a place where people feel seen, valued and welcomed for who they are.”

Ms Chambray added: “Every young person in Bermuda needs to grow up knowing that they have value, that they are safe and they have a future here.

“They deserve communities like ours that lift them up rather than make them feel small and they deserve to know that they don’t have to hide who they are in order to belong — that message matters.”

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