A musician has been made to “feel at home” in Liverpool after Scousers accepted her for who she is.
Abi Rose Kelly, originally from Yorkshire, moved to the city centre four years ago securing a place at Hope University. The 21-year-old artist decided to stay after she was made to feel she could be her true self - a queer woman.
She told the ECHO: “Liverpool is just a city that is bustling with so much atmosphere and energy anyway and I find it is very accepting. I’ve never met a Scouser who doesn’t love being a Scouser and I’ve never met a Scouser who has turned up their nose at me for being who I am.
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“There have been some issues over the years with attacks on LGBTQ+ people but you get that anywhere you go and it's a small bunch in Liverpool. The city’s response itself showed Liverpool is a really safe space to be. I felt on my own and lonely moving here for university but I quickly and naturally found my people because Liverpool has so many spaces for you to go.”
A fond memory of Abi’s - and a moment she realised she could embrace her sexuality in Liverpool - was when she was supporting Liverpool rock band Crawlers at The Arts Bar. Whilst she was singing her song, Melancholy Killer - which includes lyrics about homosexuality - she looked up and saw a “sea of Pride flags”.
The songwriter, who performs around the city centre’s Irish bars, said: “Performing the song live and seeing the support was jaw-dropping. Just to be able to be in that space with so much positivity and pride and see so many people proud of how far they have come to be comfortable in their own skin, was incredible. At that moment, I felt like everyone was feeling the same feelings and that was very special for me.”
Abi’s passion for music can be traced back to her dad, Matt, who writes poetry. Similar to him, the singer recalled picking up the habit as a way to destress.
She said: “Music and writing is the best form of escapism I have found so far. Being able to create this whole other world, whether it's from lyrics or writing a riff you just vibe with so badly, is amazing. Creating something that is pure and undoubtedly yours - no one can take that away from me and it gives me strength to be who I am.”
Abi came out to her family when she was 14 but decided to keep her sexuality to herself out of fear of high-school mentality. It wasn’t until she attended college in a new town that she told others about her queerness and had a “fresh start” in life.
The music production student said she feels so lucky to have had the support she did from family when she came out as she appreciates this isn’t always the case for those in the community. With this in mind, Abi makes sure all of her gigs are a safe space for her fans.
She added: “I know others who have awful experiences of coming out and feeling so ashamed so I feel the need and responsibility to be able to explore these issues in my music. People shouldn’t have to go through these things and people shouldn’t even have to come out in this day and age. I always want my spaces to be spaces where people can be themselves and be proud of who they are.”
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