"Bring true to yourself" is an easy thing to say, but often a much more difficult thing to do. As a young gay man in Northern Ireland, Fergal McFerran knows that LGBT people are experts at editing themselves in particular situations or scenarios. Each and every day, we all make decisions about the version of ourselves that is presented to those around us. In this talk, drawing on his personal experiences, he will reflect on what it means to be true to yourself, and the power and tension that come from living authentically.

Fergal McFerran is 27 years old and works for Stonewall, Europe’s largest LGBT rights organization. From Dunloy, in North Antrim, he moved to Belfast in 2010 where he studied Theology at Queen’s University before graduating in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Before working for Stonewall, Fergal served as President of NUS-USI, the body which represents students in higher and further education in Northern Ireland between 2015 – 2017. His time in office was a politically charged one; during his term he was responsible for the student movement’s response to two Northern Ireland Assembly elections, the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union and a UK General Election.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx