Proud to be you

Leading Cadet Ollie

I joined Sea Cadets remotely in September 2020 as I didn’t have anything to do because of Covid. Most of my family have been in Sea Cadets, so I joined Sefton Unit as my grandad is the CO. 

It was also during lockdown, with nothing to do but think, that I first questioned my gender. I found a lot of resources online that helped me realise I wasn’t a girl. I don’t know what originally made me realise – I felt uncomfortable being seen as a woman. 

Everyone at Sea Cadets was so supportive and switched to using my correct name quickly. There are other people there who are also in the LGBTQ+ community. I haven’t been treated any differently and I’ve met lots of other trans cadets on courses, voyages and camps. 

I’m now 16 and have made so many friendships at Sea Cadets. I love kayaking and other watersports and I am also a kayaking instructor. I’ve gained qualifications in first aid, catering, stage 3 sailing and lots more.  

Even if someone is being horrible, it is sorted quickly and easily. If someone is unsure about joining because they are afraid of not being accepted, I would tell them that most cadets are really supportive and welcoming. Give it a go. 

Major (SCC) Bill Collier RMR represented Sea Cadets at the London Pride march

What was your motivation behind representing Sea Cadets at Pride?

I wanted to be a positive role model and show that you can bring the whole you to Sea Cadets. I wanted people to see Sea Cadets is proud of its volunteers and cadets. On a personal note, this completed a part of my journey with Sea Cadets and has opened an event we haven’t been able to engage with before.  

What could the charity do to be even more welcoming to the LGBTQ community?

Introduce a support network that has the ability to support the charity and advise on areas and strands that affect our community. Offer guidance to best support our young people and adults that are members or allies of our community. 

What advice would you give to a cadet who is struggling with their identity or doesn’t feel accepted?

Reach out to a trusted friend or adult. Sea Cadets is full of brilliant people who only want the best for all of us. If you’re uncomfortable with that, maybe speak to a Chaplain or reach out to Barnardo’s or Young Mind. 

Rowan Daly (he/him) is on the Growth and Development Team at MSSC and is Executive Officer at Clydebank Unit

How has Sea Cadets allowed you to be yourself?

I joined as a cadet in 2007 and I feel that the charity has come a long way since then. I came out as trans in 2018 and my unit and the wider organisation has always been very supportive. Things such as worrying about what uniform I would wear, the changing of my name and physically transitioning was very daunting while volunteering and I worried a lot about how I would be perceived. But the process was very simple, my unit listened to what I needed and ensured everything was put in place. Having a supportive unit and supportive peers really does make a difference in allowing me to be myself. If I look back to ‘cadet me’, I fully understand why representation and visibility matters and as Sea Cadets allows me to be myself I hope I can be a role model and provide a safe space for our young people and fellow volunteers for them to see that it is okay to be your true self.

What could the charity do to be even more welcoming to the LGBTQ community? 

I think it is fantastic to see representatives from Sea Cadets taking part in London Pride. It would be brilliant to see more visibility at similar events up and down the country. I also think it would be nice to have more Pride-branded items such as lanyards, polo shirts, pins etc. available in the Sea Cadets shop. Often when you see a person sporting something with the Pride logo it means that person is part of our community or an ally, and it can help make people feel more comfortable and able to be themselves. I think this will also attract people from the LGBTQ+ community to join Sea Cadets and experience the fantastic things it has to offer.

What advice would you give to a cadet who is struggling with their identity? 

Take your time. There is absolutely no rush to figure anything out and it is important to do it in your own time. Society loves to put people into boxes and you might not fit into one of those, and that is completely fine! What has always helped me is talking; if you have a person you feel safe around, try talking to them they may be able to help or just listen. There are lots of fantastic resources online and peer groups on social media and you will often find that they are struggling with similar things. Before I came out as transgender I worried a lot about what people would think and what if I made them feel uncomfortable, but the truth is, it is not your job to make sure people feel comfortable, it’s your job to simply be you – when you are ready to be.