The Boy From Elsewhere by Kestral Gaian launched at the British Library in February 2026 hosted by Hearstopper’s Tobie Donovan
As Pride Month 2026 approaches, a non-binary UK author who grew up under Section 28 and quite literally wrote the book on it, warns that its legacy is still shaping how we talk about identity, and why saying “yes” to yourself can be life changing.
“Dignity is not a luxury, and dignity is not a threat. It is the minimum any decent society should offer, and the UK government is failing in that duty this new guidance.”
With Pride Month preparations getting underway across the UK, non-binary author and poet Kestral Gaian is calling for a deeper understanding of what allyship really means, especially in a climate where conversations around gender identity remain highly charged.
Observed every June, Pride Month is a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities, honour progress, and turn visibility into action. But for many, the journey to visibility is still shaped by the past.
Kestral is part of the “Section 28 generation”, growing up under legislation that banned the “promotion of homosexuality” in schools until its repeal in 2003. That silence, they say, didn’t just disappear overnight.
“We weren’t just denied language, we were denied possibility. When you grow up without seeing yourself reflected anywhere, it takes courage to even imagine who you might be.”
Kestral’s work explores identity, belonging, and the quiet, powerful process of self-discovery. Their writing also connects directly to ongoing conversations around LGBTQ+ representation, education, and rights, with renewed attention on the long-term impact of Section 28 and current grassroots activism calling for justice and recognition. Kestral’s latest novel, a YA fantasy fiction and first in the Reality Quake series, The Boy From Elsewhere (Reconnecting Rainbows Press) features gay and trans representation in a way that is both authentic and genuine, without it being the sole plotline. Kestral’s previous work also includes Twenty-Eight: Stories from the Section 28 Generation, published in 2023.
At the heart of their message this Pride Month is a simple but powerful idea: saying yes. “Saying yes to yourself doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s just allowing yourself to question, to explore, to not have all the answers yet. That’s where everything starts,” says Kestral.
This theme resonates far beyond the LGBTQ+ community. In a time where many people feel pressure to conform, Kestral’s message speaks to anyone navigating identity, change, or the courage to live more honestly. Their work also intersects with renewed cultural interest in Section 28, including campaigns and storytelling projects that aim to document and acknowledge its impact on a generation.
“We’re still undoing the damage. Pride isn’t just celebration, it’s context. It’s history. It’s understanding how we got here and what still needs to change.”
As conversations around gender identity continue to evolve, Kestral is urging allies to move beyond performative support. “Allyship isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about being willing to listen, to learn, and to stand alongside people even when it’s uncomfortable.”
This Pride Month, Kestral Gaian’s call is clear:
Be curious. Be open. And most importantly, be brave enough to say yes, to yourself and to others.
