A few days ago a young woman bared her soul to an audience of young people, all of whom were struggling with the burdens of being different in a world which does not tolerate difference.

She bared her soul before an audience of teachers and youth workers who spend their days trying to make a positive difference in the lives of young people who often feel so alienated that they resort to hiding or taking their own lives.

It is a brave thing to risk your career and the love of family and friends by being honest. But Ellen Page is not only brave. She is passionate and articulate and strong.

The world would be a wonderful place if it was the one she imagines possible.

No fear.

No hatred.

No violence.

            But kindness.

            And limitless potential.

            And above all, LOVE.

While she was speaking primarily to an American audience, her words ring like alarm bells, here, in this lucky country. In Australia today young people (and older people too) are marginalised because of difference. Some are pilloried by churches who claim to love them, some are bullied in schools which purport to be safe places, some are rejected by families who cannot accept their child was born to be an individual outside the average. And ALL are victimised by a government which, while it is happy to take their taxes like every other citizen, will refuse them the same rights as other citizens, such as the right to marry.

It's Mardigras season here in Sydney.

Time to dust off the sequins and add some colour to our ordinary lives. And isn't that what we all crave? A life which is colourful and rich?

It's about time we told young people: those who are lesbian, gay, bi, transgender and intersex, that we are grateful for the colour they add to our lives. Grateful for the joy they bring. Grateful that they remind us of what community means, grateful that they have enough faith in us to change and become more open and honest and decent.

For decency is not about sex. It's about how we treat each other and whether we have respect for the rights of all, even the most disadvantaged.

So for all the young people who are struggling with who they are and how they are treated, I want you to know I stand with Ellen Page - you are not alone. Have hope that your life will be happy and that you will find people who love you just as you are. For you are worthy of love -  just as you are.

And for the adults who forget what love can do and how good it makes us all feel, take a moment to look at this speech.

You can watch her speech for yourself on this link

http://youtu.be/ORlnnpm5rC8

 If I don’t open my mouth and speak up then I will appear complicit.

And I am NOT complicit.

I believe in human rights, that refugees have a right to shelter and protection, not persecution and detention.

I believe women are equal and should have equal representation in government, media, sports, work and opportunity. I know this is not the reality. But it needs to change.

I believe we have an obligation to this planet to care for it. It has nurtured us for millennia. But if we don’t stop our insatiable exploitation of its resources it will die. And we with it.

I believe the purpose of the economy is to serve its people, not enslave the people to the economy.

I believe governments are answerable to their people.

I believe History teaches us lessons which many ignore.

Things need to change.

I need to speak out.

One candle in the darkness looking for others.

I know you’re there. Perhaps together we can build a better world.

This is the first of many candles, match- strikes, flares and calls out into the wilderness. Born of a feeling of frustration and hopelessness with our current government and a society which seems blind and apathetic in the face of the suffering of others.

Please feel free to join me.

An ocean of flickering lights will bring hope to many, including ourselves.

We CAN change the world!