According to a recent report by Galop, 100% of frontline staff surveyed reported that the unaffordable cost of housing and the unavailability of safe emergency accommodation are placing LGBTQ+ survivors at much more risk of abuse and hate.

For some, this hate comes from their own family members who they may have no choice but to live with, particularly over the Christmas period when so many of the people they may surround themselves with year-round go home to visit their families. Many LGBTQ+ people then have to put themselves in a potentially dangerous situation, where they experience abuse and hate.

A hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, alternative sub-culture (the way they dress or their lifestyle) or because they are transgender.

100% of frontline staff say that LGBTQ+ people who experience hate and abuse at home are facing barriers in accessing support due to the cost of living crisis. 88% of frontline staff are extremely or very concerned about their clients’ safety and access to support, due to the cost of living crisis.

Frontline staff reported LGBTQ+ survivors who seek support are dealing with a range of barriers to support that have worsened through the cost of living crisis, including:

• Being turned away from temporary or emergency accommodation
• Lengthy waitlists for social housing
• Long waitlists for subsidised counselling or therapy
• Not being able to afford therapeutic or legal costs associated with support
• Not being able to afford transport to attend appointments or services

This means that many people who identify as LGBTQ+ are struggling to get out of home, and this kind of stuff will only get worse with increasing lack of funds because of the cost of living crisis.

What can I do to help LGBTQ+ people affected by hate or abuse?

It’s more important now than ever to choose kindness, and reach out to people you think may struggle visiting home over the festive period. If you know someone who isn’t out to their family, or is out but is not accepted by their family, reach out to them this festive period and offer some kindness, show them that they aren't alone. 

This could be a short video call after Christmas dinner, maybe you could open a present together on Zoom, or play a party game (We all have some of those saved from the COVID Christmases, right?). Whatever it is, I’m sure they will appreciate a friendly face to make the day go by a little easier. 

If you're able to, pledge your kindness online by using our I Choose Kindness social media frame, so that anyone who may be struggling, or anxious to visit home over the festive period, knows they can come to you for support, advice, or just to talk.