Published findings from LGBT Foundation

The LGBT Foundation has published findings from the largest and most substantive research into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on LGBT communities in the United Kingdom.

This research has uncovered some of the wide-ranging and profound effects the pandemic has had on the lives of LGBT people in areas such as mental health; isolation; substance misuse; eating disorders; living in unsafe environments; financial impact; homelessness; access to healthcare; and access to support.

Hidden Figures: The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on LGBT Communities is a culmination of the findings from our online survey, existing research on LGBT health inequalities, and our own unpublished service user data. Our survey found that of LGBT people who responded:

· 42% would like to access support for their mental health at this time:

· 8% do not feel safe where they are currently staying

· 18% are concerned that this situation is going to lead to substance or alcohol misuse or trigger a relapse

· 8% do not feel safe where they are currently staying

· 16% had been unable to access healthcare for non-Covid related issues;

· 34% of people have had a medical appointment cancelled 

· 23% were unable to access medication or were worried that they might not be able to access medication

This research is a development of their earlier report The Essential Briefing on the Impact of COVID-19 on LGBT Communities in the UK, and sits alongside their Hidden Figures: LGBT Health Inequalities in the UK report published in February.

This report shines a light on some of the experiences of LGBT people and the very real impact that the pandemic is having on their lives

Whilst the impact that the crisis is having on some minority groups, including black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) and disabled people, has been more widely recognised, LGBT communities have been absent from much of the narrative.

This report seeks to redress this lack of information and recognition. They hope this research sparks a national conversation that ensures that no community is left behind.  They ask for your support in helping to share this email with your own contacts, colleagues and networks.

The full report can be downloaded directly here

Published: 5-Jun-2020: (5897)