Proud to be Different
We were all born original. So why spend our lives trying to fit in?
From the moment we are old enough to understand the world around us, we are often encouraged to conform — to look a certain way, behave a certain way and follow a certain path. Gillie and Marc believe the things that make us different are often the very things that make us extraordinary.
Proud to Be Different is a project celebrating individuality, courage and the freedom to be yourself. Through a series of intimate video interviews, Gillie and Marc meet remarkable people who have chosen to embrace who they are rather than change themselves to satisfy the expectations of others.
The project gives a platform to people whose lives, appearances, identities, passions or choices may fall outside what society considers conventional. Their stories are funny, moving, surprising and deeply human — reminding us that there is no single right way to live or be.
The People Behind the Stories
One of the project’s powerful interviews featured Norrie May-Welby, whose landmark legal case helped change the way Australia formally recognises sex and gender. Norrie spoke openly about identity, acceptance and having the courage to live authentically.
Another early film featured professional burlesque performer Miss Alyssa Kitt, who shared her experience of growing up while constantly being told she needed to lose weight. Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, she learned to celebrate her body and embrace the qualities that made her different.
These are individual stories, but their message is universal: you should never have to become somebody else simply to belong.
Fighting Hate with Love
This idea has always been at the heart of Gillie and Marc’s art.
Their iconic characters Rabbitwoman and Dogman are two very different beings who found love, friendship and acceptance in one another. What began as an autobiographical story about Gillie and Marc has grown into a broader symbol of diversity and togetherness, with the characters appearing in public spaces around the world.
Rabbitwoman and Dogman remind us that difference doesn't have to divide us. It can be something we celebrate.
Proud to Be Different is for anyone who has ever felt too different, too unusual, too loud, too quiet, too big, too small — or simply as though they didn't quite fit the mould.
Because fitting in was never the goal. Being yourself is.
Celebrate what makes you different. Celebrate it in others. Choose acceptance over judgement and love over hate.
What makes you different is what makes you beautiful. Be Proud to Be Different.
VIDEO
Proud to Be Different – Bec Cerio
Six years ago, a devastating car accident changed Bec Cerio’s outlook on life and inspired her to embrace every opportunity that came her way. When she discovered roller derby, she also discovered a fearless new side of herself — the strong, fast and determined “Micro Machine.”
Bec’s story is an inspiring reminder that life can change in an instant, and sometimes those moments give us the courage to become more fully ourselves.
We’d love to hear what makes you proud to be different. Share a photo or tell us your story and tag #ProudToBeDifferent.
Proud to Be Different – Skye Blackburn, “The Bug Girl”
Meet Skye Blackburn, better known as “The Bug Girl.” Skye has turned her fascination with insects into something extraordinary — she cooks, seasons and sells crickets, and even has a much-loved pet burrowing cockroach almost the size of her palm.
Her passion challenges the way many of us think about insects. Rather than something to fear or avoid, Skye shows us just how fascinating they are — and reminds us of the incredibly important role insects play in keeping our planet healthy.
Skye is proudly different, endlessly curious and completely herself.
We’d love to know what makes you proud to be different. Share a photo or tell us your story and tag #ProudToBeDifferent.
Proud to Be Different – Norrie
Meet Norrie May-Welby, whose extraordinary story challenged convention and helped change the way Australia legally recognises sex and gender.
After a landmark legal battle, Norrie became the first person in Australia to have their sex officially recognised as “non-specific” — an important moment in Australian legal history and a powerful story about having the courage to be yourself.
In this deeply personal interview, Norrie shares their thoughts on identity, acceptance, the law and what it means to live authentically. Their warmth, openness and determination offer a beautiful reminder of how much can change when we make room for people to simply be who they are.
Proud to Be Different – Alyssa Kitt, Burlesque Performer
Meet the bold, beautiful and wonderfully confident Miss Alyssa Kitt, a professional burlesque performer who has learned to celebrate the very things she was once told she should change.
Growing up, Alyssa was constantly told she needed to lose weight. Instead of allowing other people’s expectations to define her, she embraced her body, her individuality and her confidence — ultimately turning them into part of her strength as a performer.
In this playful and empowering interview, Alyssa talks openly about body image, self-acceptance and finding the confidence to be unapologetically herself. And in true burlesque style, she isn’t afraid to reveal a little more along the way!
Alyssa’s story is a celebration of the idea at the heart of Proud to Be Different: there is no single definition of beauty.
We’d love to know what makes you proud to be different. Share your story and tag #ProudToBeDifferent.
Proud to Be Different – Don Jason De Marco, “Vampire”
Don Jason De Marco knew from a very young age that he felt different from those around him. Today, he openly embraces a vampire-inspired identity and lifestyle, even undergoing dental work to create his distinctive elongated fangs.
While Don Jason’s choices may be unconventional and certainly aren’t for everyone, his story is ultimately about having the confidence to live authentically and refusing to change simply because others might not understand you.
His interview challenges us to look beyond appearances and consider one of the central ideas behind Proud to Be Different: we don’t have to understand someone’s differences in order to respect their right to be themselves.
We’d love to know what makes you proud to be different. Share your story and tag #ProudToBeDifferent.
