Pride, Awareness, Acceptance – Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community.
2023 marks 50 years since the first pride event occurred within the United Kingdom and whilst attitudes have changed since this first pride, there is still a way to go towards a more inclusive community. February is LGBTQ+ History Month and at LMP we are supporting pride, awarenss and acceptance.
What is LGBTQ+?
LGBTQ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning. These terms are used to describe an individual’s sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBTQ+ is a more inclusive term which includes all of the communities. A breakdown of all the communities included in the ‘LGBTTTQQIAA’ that comes under the umbrella term LGBQT+:
- Lesbian Gay
- Bisexual
- Transgender
- Transsexual
- 2/Two-Spirit
- Queer
- Questioning
- Intersex
- Asexual
- Ally
+ Pansexual
+ Agender
+ Gender Queer
+ Bigender
+ Gender Variant
+ Pangender
You may also hear the community described as the ‘Rainbow Community’ or the ‘Queer Community.’
Discrimination and Homophobia
The British Social Attitudes 1987 survey, which was taken during the height of the AIDS epidemic, showed that three-quarters of the public felt that same-sex relationship was either ‘always’ or ‘mostly’ wrong. These attitudes were often amplified by homophobic reporting in the media.
Stonewall’s Take Pride report shows the results from surveying 2000 adults from across the UK on their attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people. The findings show that out of the 2000 surveyed, one in three people reported activity ‘respecting’ LGBTQ+ individuals and one in five declared ‘admiration.’
While this paints a positive picture there is still much work to be done as there is a small minority in this surveyed group holding tight to feelings of disgust and fear that drive homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ invididuals
In 2017 Stonewall commissioned LGBT in Britain – Hate Crime and Discrimination, research into the levels of hate crime and discrimination that LGBTQ+ people still face today in the UK. The research polled over 5000 LGBTQ+ individuals and the key findings of the research include:
One in five LGBT people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity between September 2016 – September 2017
Two in five trans people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity between September 2016 – September 2017
Four in five anti-LGBT hate crimes and incidents go unreported, with younger LGBT people particularly reluctant to go to the police
The research found that this type of homophobic abuse against LGBTQ+ people extends beyond acts of violence on the streets. The discrimination also occurs when LGBTQ+ people are using public services and going about their lives in shops, gyms, schools and places of worship as well as online.
What can you do to support the rainbox community?
Stonewall has a list of recommendations on their website for anyone, who wants to help tackle anti-LGBT hate crime and discrimination: Contact Stonewall’s Information Service on 08000 50 20 20 for advice and support. If you require support or guidance you can also email safeguarding@lmp-group.co.uk
