Social Value UK

Tag: LGBTQ+

  • COVID-19: how it has affected the LGBTQ+ community

    COVID-19: how it has affected the LGBTQ+ community

    The following blog was written by Social Value UK’s Digital Marketing, Communications and Events Assistant, Maddy England. Social Value UK continues to show a commitment to accounting for social value, thus working to decrease inequality and improve wellbeing

    COVID-19 has had a profound effect on the LGBTQ+ community in many ways. With members of the LGBTQ+ community disproportionately suffering with mental health issues, homelessness and inequality.

    In a year where social distancing and stay at home measures have become the norm, it has been overwhelmingly difficult for all. However, for many young LGBTQ+ people this has been heightened. Young people may be closeted and hiding aspects of their lives from people they are living with, due to not feeling able to talk with family about it, being isolated from safe spaces and being socially distanced from regular contact with LGBTQ+ communities. Already at greater risk of poor mental health, the physical disconnect from supportive, accepting communities paired with the inability to present as their true self, has left many young people feeling lonely and unable to cope.

    Due to this lack of acceptance from family, a quarter of young people at risk of homelessness are LGBT. More over, whilst homeless, they are significantly more likely to experience targeted violence, sexual exploitation, substance misuse, and physical & mental health problems than other homeless youth.

    For those who are able to stay, situations like this can make for a hostile household and put young people at risk of domestic abuse, more specific to the LGBTQ+ community such as coercion into conversion therapy, preventing access to discreet and affirmative support and stopping true gender expression.

    One the other end of the spectrum, older LGBTQ+ people have been equally hit as they are statistically less likely to have children with their significant other and therefore have a reduced support system during this tough time.

    As a result, it is no surprise that a  report by KFF showed that 74% of LGBT people say worry and stress from the pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental health (compared to 49% in non LGBT people). Calls, emails and texts to LGBTQ+ charities providing support have jumped significantly, with UK LGBTQ+ helpline Switchboard reporting a 20% increase during the pandemic, with it only getting higher. This is more than worrying.

    These statistics speak for themselves. It has been a tumultuous last year for the LGBTQ+ community and support and outreach is absolutely vital to protect the mental health of the community (of all ages). It is important that we keep talking about these issues, increasing safety and visibility, supporting the community by donating to charity and showing up in conversation for the community. Not just this month, but all year round.

    If you’ve been affected by any of these issues or feel you need some guidance helping others, we have listed some great resources below:

    The Social Value UK

  • HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! JUNE 2021

    HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! JUNE 2021

    In honour of Pride month, over the course of June we will be sharing a series of LGTBQ+ focused blogs, with the aim of celebrating advancements as well as educating and highlighting issues the community faces.

    Following a difficult time over the last year, we thought begin the series by using this as a space to celebrate the successes and breakthroughs the LGBTQ+ community have seen throughout this last year.

    Here are some wins for the LGBTQ+ community in 2021, both big and small:

    • Instagram added a new dedicated area on personal profiles for pronouns – it allows users to share up to four pronouns selected from a pre-approved list of common pronouns including she, he, they, ze and others.
    • The UK (finally) makes moves to ban conversion therapy and provide more support to those in the LGBT community who have undergone the treatment, as part of its post-pandemic government agenda.
    • For the very first time The England and Wales Census 2021 – included questions about sexual orientation and gender identity. Previously a lack of data has meant it is harder to recognise and respond to the needs of LGBT communities, and makes it easier to downplay continuous inequalities, including those that disproportionately affect LGBT people with intersecting identities. Meaning this year’s Census could have a significant impact on future support and recognition from Government and public bodies and services. #ProudToBeCounted
    • Bimini Bon Boulash – a non-binary drag icon has been covering magazines in London and the UK, meeting with senior political figures, being their authentic self and creating a huge splash mere months after rising to stardom as a contest on Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK season 2, winning the hearts of the nation and becoming a force for change! “Don’t be scared to embrace the femme. Whether you’re he, she, or them!”, their lyrics call for self-love and acceptance in a time where it has become all too easy to discover hate and vitriol.
    • Russell T Davies’ drama It’s a Sin breaks record for Channel 4. The series follows a group of gay friends living in London amid the ’80s AIDs epidemic and the effect it has on their lives. All 40 gay speaking roles, were played by gay actors – with it being a breakthrough role for many of them! Even more amazingly, sexual health charity organisation, Terrence Higgins Trust, said that it had seen an enormous increase in HIV tests ordered after the show’s viral success.

    Whilst a few Pride events in May/June will be going ahead online, many have been given the go ahead for in-person events and celebrations come July/August/September!

    Click here to browse Pride events

    Have a great month everyone! Stay tuned for more educational content and resources surrounding Pride month 2021!

    The Social Value UK Team