A Blackwood-based author has been shortlisted for inclusion on this year’s Pride Power List after releasing a book about his experiences of being bullied as a gay teenager.
Scott McGlynn, 28, wrote his memoir, Out, after researching online bullying.
He said: “I was shocked, and saw it as the perfect opportunity to tell my story.”
Describing the effect bullying had on him, he said: “It started in the first week of high school and over the five years it got worse.
“I felt isolated to be honest. I was shy. I didn’t really speak because I felt people were judging me.
“College was easier as there was a mixture of ages, more mature people. I remember there were two ladies in their 30s who accepted me for who I was. It was a different experience but there were a few sly comments here and there.”
Starting his first job in a fast-food restaurant at 16, he was surprised to find similar behaviour there.
“It was loud and you had to shout the orders. People were laughing at the way I was speaking. I mean I don’t care anymore, this is who I am. I’m 28 now. But I was 16 then and that was at my workplace.
“So I said, ‘Listen, if this is the way it is going to be, I’m going to leave.’
“All of it got sorted out and I progressed to trainee manager, so it was all alright in the long run.”
These days Scott is a celebrity blogger, and since his book came out last month, has been nominated for this year’s Pride Power List, a list of influential LGBT people published by The Guardian.
He said: “I was honoured to be nominated for the Pride Power List, it means a lot as my goal is to get out there, and it shows my hard work has paid off.”
For those currently going through bullying, for whatever reason, Scott has a message: “You don’t have to let people make you feel like you’re nothing, because you are something.
“The people who were really popular in high school or who were really big bullies, I don’t know where they are right now.”
Scott McGlynn will be signing copies of his book at Blackwood Library on Tuesday, May 3 between 11am and 12pm.