Welcome to our safe space for our LGBTQ+ community. A space to read, learn and educate yourself on the big issues of LGBTQ+ inequality. Here we want to encourage allyship and make sure our LGBTQ+ friends feel supported.
drag queen superstars Lawrence Chaney and Tia Kofi star in ‘The Reverse Roast’. Inspiring self-love in the LGBTQ+ community and reminding everyone just how fabulous they are.
We live in a world that for the most part doesn’t acknowledge the day to day lives and struggles of LGBTQ+ people. Being a member of a marginalised group requires effort. With so much stigma surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, it’s no surprise our friends feel isolated.
DID YOU KNOW?
This can come from a range of factors such as discrimination, isolation, rejection and homophobia. We want to change this. We want to help provide the tools and support to become better active allies to the LGBTQ+ community. Keep on scrolling to join us.
You don’t need to face things alone. If you’re struggling, there is help available. People will understand. You are worth it.
Reaching out is hard. Start by visiting the MindOut website. When you’re ready to talk, help will be there.
It can be hard to love yourself in a world that doesn’t seem to love you back. But we’re here to tell you otherwise. You are loved and you are more than enough. One of the major things that impacts mental health in the LGBTQ+ community is living in a discriminative world. The Body Shop Global Self Love Index shows that LGBTQ+ people are nearly twice as likely to have low self-love than their cisgender and/or heterosexual peers.1 We want to encourage you all to rebel against the prejudice our friends face every day and fight for a fairer, more accepting world. Discover our 9 acts to be a better ally below and let’s rise up to fight for change.
This Pride, we’re doing more than celebrating. We’re raising our voices to bring LGBTQ+ issues to light. We’re speaking out loud and we’re here to make change. We see you. We stand with you. We support you. We know not everyone is at the same stage in their journey to become a better ally. Some of you are already on the front line (we salute you), while some of you want to do more. Whether you’re looking for ways to educate yourself, show your support or put your allyship into action, we’ve put together some things you can do to be that better ally.
Stop and take it all in. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to soak up everything. Take time out to actively listen to others’ personal stories and experiences with mental health – whether it’s through podcasts, case studies, biographies or your own LGBTQ+ friends. It’s time to get uncomfortable.
Read up. Take those stories you’ve heard and find out more. Educate yourselves. Get beneath the skin of the issue, read stats and find out more about the mental health crisis within the LGBTQ+ community. Lack of understanding and willingness to learn is just as harmful as discriminative systems. You’ve listened to experiences, now it’s time to understand why.
Small things can make a big difference. Referring to someone as the wrong title can hurt. Be thoughtful. Pronouns are a huge point of stress for the trans community. We need to learn and understand how to properly use and normalise pronouns so that our transgender friends can feel seen. Start by adding your pronouns to your email signature or Instagram bio.
Spread the word. Add to the awareness. The more people are informed, the quicker we lose any stigma. Share your findings with your friends, discuss with your colleagues and share on your social media. The silence must be broken. We need to speak out and shout out. The more open conversations we have, the better chance we have to make real change.
Console people, be there for them, do what you can do to help. Learn how to ask your LGBTQ+ friends how they really are. Don’t be afraid to open up conversations with them. Be a listening ear and be a friend. Learn which direction to point your LGBTQ+ friends if they need tailored support.
Call things out. Don’t sit in silence. Tell someone when they’re making a mistake and offer a solution for the future. Not sure what the best solution is? Then research it. You don’t have to know everything; learning is the whole part of the process. The more learning, listening and reading you do, the more equipped you are to handle discrimination.
However you interpret that. Do what you can to change perceptions. Follow social media pages, talk to friends and find out how you can get involved. Showing up for your LGBTQ+ friends is just as important as speaking up. When we’re united, we’re unstoppable. Together, let’s march and fight for real change.
Protest, make noise, fight against the system, yes. But have fun. Dance. Pride is a party, too. Nothing can stop you having fun. Pride is a time for many to feel free and be themselves. It’s a time for self-love. Loving yourself is rebelling against outdated systems and discriminative mindsets. Self-love is your superpower. So, go love yourself.
There are lots of good causes fighting the good fight. Find them, research, support. However you can. There are specific LGBTQ+ mental health organisations that are here to help and give the time and advice that’s needed.
“Never feel too small or powerless to make a difference.”
Anita Roddick
Founder of The Body Shop
We know that the topic of self-love can be a triggering for some people. If you have been affected by any of the self-love content, and would like to speak to someone further about it, please do reach out to the following organisations for support:
