Scrappy
Born in the Czech Republic in 1990, Scrappy, aka Vojtech, identifies as white, immigrant, European, neurodiverse (dyspraxic and mildly autistic), kinky, human pup and non-monogamous.
What does your identity mean to you?
I used to say that I am simply me and that I don’t feel like any parts of my identity are too important to specify. But this has changed quite significantly in the last few years because of the situation in the world, my life experience and experience with the LGBTQ+ community and my medical diagnosis.
Being gay is so integral to my identity I don’t think about it very much anymore; it drives my moral compass and sense of justice, it is a source of my joy and happiness and it is what makes me want to fight for the future and for rights of those who are oppressed.
Even though I am an immigrant from mainland Europe I never felt that way living in the UK until political events of the last few years including Brexit. I won’t be denied my existence, my heritage and my place in the UK. As a white man I am aware of white privilege and the way I benefit from the system. I want to do my part in taking that system down and fight for a better future for those who are having their lives, rights and futures denied to them. As a gay man I am acutely aware of discrimination and having your rights denied.
I embrace being dyspraxic and mildly autistic because I finally understand why I experience the world in a very different way to others, and I am proud of it as it shows that I have achieved so much in spite of not getting the right support. I am also an artist and creative which only adds to my view of the world and enhances my unique outlook.
I am kinky and I identify as a human pup as well as being non-monogamous openly and without any shame. I have chosen my own way of relating to people around me and dropped the shackles of what society, and many within the LGBTQ+ community, see as appropriate. It was the healthiest and most freeing decision for me.
Recently I finally embraced my masculinity and femininity like never before, and while I dress in men’s clothing or have a traditionally masculine haircut I tread the line freely between the two, ignoring what is expected of me because of my gender. I don’t police what I wear and I dress loud and queer as I want, and change it frequently. I embrace my feminine traits and celebrate them as much as much as I can, fully knowing these are the dominant ones. I don’t see gender as one or the other, but as a combination of both and I will always be proud of each part of my identity.