A KEIGHLEY teenager has created posters in a bid to show there is more to people's character than their sexual orientation.

Jacob Ackroyd, 19, who came out as gay two years ago, aims to dispel stereotypes surrounding sexuality.

"There's more to me than just being gay – but I feel like I can sometimes get labelled as a 'gay best friend'," he said.

"I don't want it to be the only thing that defines me.

"I'm studying on a child care course and after that I'm going into primary education, with a special interest in science.

"I enjoy cycling, I'm learning to play the piano and I like to think of myself as having a good sense of humour."

Jacob – a student at Shipley College – made three posters, with support from Fixers.

The charity works with young people aged 16 to 25 across the UK, helping them with resources to campaign on issues they feel strongly about.

Jacob was also helped by fellow members of Keighley Sound, an LGBT group he has attended since he was 17.

"I hope the posters will highlight the fact that being gay, transgender or bisexual is not the only thing about you that people should notice," he said.

"You're more than just that one label.

"I also want to show that people who you might not expect to be in the LGBT community are.

"People generalise and assume that gay men are going to be flamboyant or expressive, but that's not always the case.

"When I came out my friends would ask 'are you sure?' because I didn't fit that stereotype."

Jacob plans to share the posters in schools to increase LGBT awareness among teachers and students.

"The only poster I remember seeing about LGBT people in school was in a corridor that nobody really used," he added.

"I think we need more representation and awareness – it shouldn't be a taboo subject."

Fixers has helped more than 19,000 youngsters across the UK to have a voice in their community on issues such as cyber-bullying, self-harm, suicide and transphobia.

For more details, visit fixers.org.uk.