New Stonewall research reveals the community might not be as welcoming as we think…
Stonewall, the UK’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, has released new research that shows the depth of racism within the LGBT community.
The report also reveals a high percentage of LGBT people who are still not able to be open with friends and family.​
Based on a YouGov polling of over 5,000 LGBT people, the research investigates the experiences of different LGBT people at home, within LGBT communities and within faith groups.
From our #LGBTinBritain Home & Communities Report:
51% of BAME LGBT people have experienced discrimination or poor treatment from others in their local LGBT community because of their ethnicity. This number rises to 61% for black LGBT people. Stand up, be vocal, #ComeOutForLGBT pic.twitter.com/puUra4CZPm— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) June 28, 2018
Just over half of BAME LGBT people said they’ve faced discrimination or unjust treatment from the wider LGBT community, and three in five black LGBT people have experienced discrimination from other members of the LGBT community.
The report also reveals the high percentage of LGBT people who still do not feel able to be open with friends and family about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Only 46% of lesbian, gay and bi people and 47% of transgender people feel like they can be open to their entire family.
Today we launch our #LGBTinBritain Home and Communities Report highlighting alarming levels of racism BAME LGBT people face, & the exclusion felt by a significant no of trans people, bi people, LGBT disabled people & LGBT people of faith, in our community. https://t.co/GHG7kxQ2En
— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) June 28, 2018
“This research gives a worrying insight into just how serious a problem prejudice is within our community, and we need to talk about it,” said chief executive of Stonewall, Ruth Hunt, on the release of the report.
"Users of dating apps will be familiar with phrases like ‘No blacks, no Asians’ and ‘No chocolate, no curry, no rice, no spice’ becoming the modern-day versions of ‘No blacks, no dogs, no Gypsies’.
"Both online and in their daily lives, LGBT people of colour are excluded and face stereotyping from their white peers. This leaves BAME LGBT people feeling unwelcome within the wider community.​
“This is unacceptable and it causes damage and mistrust. If real change for BAME LGBT people is to occur, we as a community need to hold a mirror to ourselves and have open conversations about how to change.”
Remember if you’re aged 16 to 25 and want to go to @ukblackpride we can get your ticket to London, give you lunch and introduce you to people so you have a great day. https://t.co/U1DeHyGMyl
— Ruth Hunt (@ruth_hunt) June 28, 2018
Stonewall suggests ways in which the problem can be tackled such as increasing diversity in decision-making structures, organising anti-discrimination training and building stronger links with BAME and disability groups, as well as listening to and giving a platform to others, are some of the key steps that organisations should take.
“It’s only by working together that we can create a world where all LGBT people are accepted without exception.”
Click here to read the full report
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