NEVER BLEND IN - David E Hull-Watters
About the book
Never Blend In – LGBTQ+ Stories of Resilience and Empowerment is an accessible collection of candid stories and wise words, collated and curated to encourage, inspire, uplift and give hope to those who need it most; those who may struggle with self-belief and question their worth, perhaps because they have been made to feel different, less valid or valuable.
Aimed primarily at a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex or asexual audience, this ground-breaking, vital book of exclusive celebrity and deeply personal non-celebrity testimonies is also of great value to educators, parents, family and mental health professionals seeking insight into the LGBTQ+ experience.
Various voices from education, entertainment, law enforcement, medical and emergency services, politics, religion and sports have participated in this much-needed discourse to illuminate the reader’s own journey of self-discovery and to illustrate that living a life unlimited by labels will lead to personal, professional and spiritual fulfilment.
These are the mentors we all need - Their relatable stories of overcoming personal challenges, self-doubt, rejection and exclusion, to forging ahead with hope and dignity will encourage readers to understand how self-esteem determines the path that they will choose, that life need not be a self-fulfilling prophecy, and that by recognizing that our “truth” has been shaped through our relationships, our environment and our experiences, we can begin to change our perceptions, heighten our self-esteem and move forward with clear vision and purpose.
We can be an important part of society without blending in; we can live with authenticity; we shouldn’t be expected to compromise our identity to “fit in”, to find acceptance and that everyone, regardless of sexuality or gender identity, has a right to fully live.
Notable contributors
NEVER BLEND IN includes original and insightful interviews with actors Alan Cumming OBE ( Cabaret, Spy Kids , The Good Wife ), Stephen Fry ( Peter’s Friends , Wilde ), Anthony Rapp ( Rent , S tar Trek Discovery ), Heather Matarazzo ( Welcome to the Dollhouse , The Princess Diaries , The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement , The Devil's Advocate , Scream 3 , Sorority Boys , Saved! and Hostel: Part 2 ), Daniel Newman ( The Walking Dead , The Vampire Diaries , Homeland ), Colton Ford (The Lair), Marcus Patrick ( My Wife & Kids , CSI: Miami , Passions and Dancing With The Stars ), Adele Anderson (Fascinating Aida), Clare Summerskill (stand-up, writer, actress, and singer-songwriter); key equality advocates, educators and influencers of policy Sue Sanders (Schools Out), Jason Jones (LGBTQI+ activist from Trinidad and Tobago who successfully challenged the constitutionality of Sections 13 and 16 of the Sexual Offences Act prohibiting consensual adult intercourse), Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah (also known as Lady Phyll ; co-founder, trustee and executive (formerly managing) director of UK Black Pride ), Maurice Tomlinson (Jamaican attorney-at-law and senior policy analyst with the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network), Charles Robbins (former CEO, The Trevor Project), Bevan Dufty, Alex Randolph, Stephen Williams MP, Jack MacKenroth ( Project Runway , Queens of Drag: NYC ), Rabbi Denise Eger, Lt. Dan Choi and veteran human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell; photographer, Mike Ruiz; filmmakers Parvez Sharma ( A Jihad for Love ), Mobeen Azhar and Casper Andreas ( A Four Letter Word , B etween Love and Goodbye , A Last Farewell ); musicians Darren Hayes (Savage Garden), Horse McDonald, and Levi Kreis (Tony Award winner for "Best Featured Actor in a Musical" for his role as Jerry Lee Lewis in the Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet ) ; sporting greats, NBA star, John Amaechi (author of Man in the Middle ) Jake Bain (former Indiana State defensive back who gained national spotlight status appearing on "The Ellen Show") and Olympic swimmer Bruce Hayes; transgender trailblazers Calpernia Addams, the Rev David E. Weekley (author of In from the Wilderness and Retreating Forward ), Michael Eric Brown (Executive Director at TransMentors International, Inc.), Caroline Paige (author of True Colours: My Life as the First Openly Transgender Officer in the British Armed Forces ), Jamison Green (author of Becoming a Visible Man ); Mental Health professionals, Gladeana McMahon, Antoine Spiteri and Dr. John Shafer; writers Tom Robb Smith ( Child 44 , The Secret Speech ), Leslea Newman ( A Letter to Harvey Milk ), Linda Goldman ( Coming Out, Coming In ), Michael Musto (The Village Voice); Del Shores ( Sordid Lives ); representatives from organizations including The Trevor Project, PFLAG, FireFLAG, The Gay Police Association, Schools Out; the utterly inspirational, Sister Roma ( San Francisco's Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence) and colleagues of Harvey Milk; A nne Kronenberg, Daniel Nicoletta and Tom Ammiano.
About the author
An Associate Consultant and Trainer for the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion, and EMBED Inclusion, David Hull-Watters is an Inclusion and Wellbeing Specialist who covers, amongst other topics, LGBTQ+ Awareness and Allyship, Neurodiversity in the Workplace, Conscious Inclusion, Inclusive Recruitment and Leadership, Disability Confident Practice, and Inclusive Language and Accessible Communication.
David has struggled, for more years than necessary, with low confidence and self-esteem issues, feeling that these held him back, and he is determined, in all that he does, to ensure that others don’t suffer from these same damaging doubts.
Originally a performer, despite nagging imposter syndrome, David went into teaching and was most challenged and rewarded when working with neurodivergent students and those with Specific Learning Differences.
He champions the right of every individual to achieve their fullest potential, both personally and professionally, so that they are not held back by the limiting labels imposed upon them by others.
He is the founder and coordinator of the international Give ‘em Hope Campaign which has given a voice to those who feel marginalized and limited by labels. This online library of video and written testimonies, from international contributors, was honoured at the National Diversity Awards 2014 when the campaign won the Community Organisation Award (Multi-Strand).
David and his husband, Richard, are “Marriage Equality Pioneers” who successfully campaigned for a change in UK marriage legislation by taking a legal case to the European Court of Human Rights with Equal Love UK (www.equallove.co.uk) so that all UK citizens could achieve their relationship goals.
Significantly, he is a winner of Best Inclusivity Trainer (UK) - Global Business Insight Awards 2024, Corporate Vision’s Most Dedicated Inclusivity Trainer 2023 (UK), a Vodafone World of Difference Award, a National Diversity Award 2014, shortlisted for a European Diversity Award 2015, an Excellence in Diversity Award 2015, and the Diversity Champion Award: Education Sector at The Excellence in Diversity Awards 2017.
Additionally, he supports individual clients and businesses as a Wellbeing Coach and has created A Holistic Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing for Individuals and Organisations.
His freelance writing includes many articles on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the UK and US and he was thrilled to write the foreword to “Retreating Forward: A Spiritual Practice with Transgender Persons” by Rev. David Elias Weekley.
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What People are Saying about Never Blend In
There are two ways you can approach not fitting in. If you get to see it as a blessing, feeling like an Outsider can eventually give you the freedom and license to create your own world, follow your own goals, and make your own reality. I've always thought it must be a lot harder for those who effortlessly belong - how much stronger the temptation to just blend in and be a non-questioning sheep! Yes, there is pain. Feelings of rejection, confusion, self-doubt. But think of those negatives in a positive light: you have the chance to acquire resilience, fortitude, understanding and the realization but you have one life to live, so you absolutely have the right to live it your way!
It's no shame to get help and inspiration from others, which is why David Watters 'Never Blend In’, is so timely.
TRISHA GODDARD,
Television Presenter
NEVER 🏳️🌈 BLEND 🏳️🌈 IN NEWS
Whilst final editing is long overdue, I have recently interviewed some of the most wonderful humans, who have offered their invaluable support for this project:
- Award-winning comedian, author, speaker and the creator of global hit podcast and book The Breakup Monologues, Rosie Wilby
- Playwright, performer, director and producer, whose work mostly explores LGBTQ themes, Alexis Gregory
- LGBT+ Poet Laureate, Trudy Howson
- Veteran LGBT Activist, Ted Brown
- Actor and comedian, Jason Stuart
- Awesome ally, writer and cabaret performer Shelly Goldstein
ALAN CUMMING OBEActor, Writer, Producer and Activist
PETER TATCHELLHuman Rights Campaigner
STEPHEN FRYActor, Comedian, Writer
In the world of "Lost Hope", for the youth of the World this book stands as a beacon of light that others have travelled the road before. "Be true to yourself" & "Never Blend In".
These are the people who are not afraid of closed doors, untraveled paths, and at the end leaders into uncharted territory...Thank you for allowing us to tell our tale. I am and always have been comfortable in my own skin although I know it's not a suit most would choose to wear...Thanks for giving me the forum to express that. Best of Luck to you...(I know you don't need it)
Liza Friedlander, President, Friedlander Investigative Services, LLC
Positive role models are important to individuals whether they be LGBT individuals talking about their experiences or the family and friends of such individuals who can model acceptance and positive affirmation. Therapists are likely to be interested in such a book in a bid to understand the specific needs of those who identify as LGBT considering the best ways to work with such individuals and/or their families. Academics are likely to find the book useful in considering issues around diversity and, of course, the general public will also benefit as a book of this sort educates the reader. This book will also help LGBT individuals to understand their situation and consider how to develop a deep and meaningful sense of self-worth. It will also help such individuals understand how best to help those around them to understand their situation as much as it will educate family and friends.
Gladeana McMahon,
Director, Gladeana McMahon Associates
The book NEVER BLEND IN is a provocative look into the lives of successful people who live in a world where the odds are stacked against us. It is important to give hope to the younger generation with diverse sexual orientations to see that we can be happy, healthy, and successful players in this game we call life. I hope by telling my story in this book, I can, in some small way, make life easier for those who march to the beat of a different drum. I am a rebel with a cause...you can either march with me, or step out of my way.
I am excited to order several copies of your book and share them with friends and family as gifts. I may try to use it with one of my classes that I teach at my college on the psychology of diversity.
Director of the Counseling Center and Professor at Franklin College of Indiana, President, Shafer Consulting Services
NEVER BLEND IN, and the efforts of writer David Watters, is a brilliant collection and resource of openly LGBT and successful role models across the globe. The value to all, especially for the younger generation, is paramount. The presentation of individuals who are successful, determined, active and visible in our communities will undoubtedly inspire all who read this collection, to do better, become a better person, and strive for greatness in their lives and that of others.
The LGBT community has often been portrayed in a less than favourable light – NEVER BLEND IN rips that inaccurate veil off, and offers a face and portrait of today’s LGBT community, its leaders, history, accomplishments and potential.
Herb Sosa, Editor|Publisher - Ambiente Magazine
& President - Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida
NEVER BLEND IN is a vital project that is sure to make a difference in many young (and not so young!) lives. As the author of HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES, I have seen firsthand how important it is for children to see a family like theirs portrayed in the media. It is just as important for teenagers and adults to see themselves represented in books, in film, and on TV.
By showcasing people who are out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and living authentic lives, David Watters is sending an important message to those struggling to come out and be out: You CAN be yourself and live a full, satisfying, meaningful, and glorious life.
Lesléa Newman
This book is crucially important because we need to continually shed light on the struggles and adversity facing the LGBT community.
We can never become complacent in our fight for equal rights and we need to remember the trailblazers who ignited the spark for the flame of progress that burns today.
As role models following in the legacy of others like Harvey Milk, we need to stand as proud confident people and continue to broaden the path of acceptance for those that follow us.
Jack Mackenroth
Swimmer, model and fashion designer who competed in the fourth season of American reality show Project Runway.
David Watters is a highly motivated author and freelance writer. He is passionate in his work, inspiring others to become their best selves, and to value themselves and others. His considerable writing skills help create and promote inclusivity and equality for all people, and offers another positive role model for youth and others on the margins.
Rev. David Weekley, Minister, United Methodist Church
