More than half LGBTQ+ adults admit to not feeling accepted – but share the simple acts that go a long way
SIX in 10 LGBTQ+ adults don’t feel accepted by some of their closest friends and family – due to their gender identity or sexuality.
A poll of 1,000 people within the LGBTQ+ community and found 39 per cent had fallen out or lost touch with friends as a result, while 30 per cent had issues with family members.
And 63 per cent found it difficult to understand why their loved ones couldn’t accept them for who they are.
But despite falling out with some people, 41 per cent said their relationship with other friends and family members is as strong as ever.
People in the community knew they had been accepted by loved ones when they were being treated exactly the same – as if nothing had changed (35 per cent).
For 29 per cent, feeling confident in talking about their love life was a small act which made a big difference and 27 per cent appreciated someone standing up for them, if necessary.
Other small acts of love which made people feel loved and accepted included doing household chores together (12 per cent) or making someone a cup of tea (13 per cent).
Others said it was the simple things, like being invited over for dinner (17 per cent) or telling you how nice you look (12 per cent) which mean the most.
Ayca Turgay, brand communications director at Procter & Gamble, which commissioned the research as part of its Spread the Love campaign for Fairy and Ariel, said: “It is often small acts of love and kindness from those closest to us that go a long way.
“That’s why this year, we’re focusing on these small daily acts to support the LGBTQ+ community.
“We are committed to Spreading The Love through the little things, as well as shining a light on real stories from the community.
“Small acts of love can feed into our day to day lives and have a long lasting impact.
“When someone washes up your plate for you, or makes you a cup of tea, or puts the washing away it makes you feel loved and for the LGBTQ+ community, these things can mean so much more in their journey to acceptance.
“As part of our continued support, we’re donating a further £70,000 to the charity akt, bringing our total donation amount to £320,000 in order to help people feel safe and comfortable in their homes and their communities.”
The study found 31 per cent of respondents felt they were treated differently after coming out than before.
While 27 per cent were sad to see others talking negatively about them to other people – and the same number were told outright their identity was disagreeable.
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And 22 per cent were left heartbroken when someone who was previously close to them simply stopped inviting them to things.
However, 48 per cent feel anyone who doesn’t accept them as they were never a true friend to them anyway, with 28 per cent believing those who are prejudiced against those in the LGBTQ+ community are to be pitied, not argued with.
Despite that, 23 per cent admit they do feel bad about themselves when some don’t accept them.
And two thirds find it upsetting when negative statements about their sexuality or gender identity are passed off as ‘banter’, according to the figures from Fairy and Ariel.
It also emerged 41 per cent said coming out was a bit harder than they expected, according to the OnePoll.com data.
Ayca Turgay said: “We are committed to becoming more inclusive, and our acceptance of others doesn’t always need to be a grand act.
“Small acts of love can make just as much of a difference in making others feel loved and accepted for who they are, especially to people in the community and charities who support them, like akt.”
TOP 25 WAYS PEOPLE IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY HAVE FELT ACCEPTED BY LOVED ONES
1. Acting normal around, as if nothing had changed
2. Feeling you can talk about your love life
3. People tell you they love you
4. People stand up for you in difficult situations
5. People include your partner when there are get togethers
6. People say they only want you to be happy
7. Able to have deep conversations about relationships with them
8. Having a general sense of relief
9. People tell you outright they don’t care about sexuality/ gender identity
10. People are happy to talk openly in front of the children in the family
11. People show physical affection (e.g. a big hug)
12. People are interested in your love life
13. People ask if they can come to a Pride event
14. People make light-hearted fun of you for it (in the same way they’d make fun of you for anything else)
15. Others ask if there is anything they could do better to make you feel happy and included
16. You’re given more emotional support than usual
17. Invited over for dinner
18. The children of the family don’t know what the fuss is about
19. Older members of the family are told about your sexuality/ gender identity
20. Friends are told about your sexuality/ gender identity
21. Others make you a cup of tea
22. Others have thought of great ways to explain what’s going on to children in the family
23. You do household chores together like normal
24. You’re told you look nice
25. You’re given help to get ready for a big event