‘Looking at my phone became so draining’
FIND OUT HOW EASY IT IS TO SWITCH AND SAVE... HOW LOCKDOWN HAS HIT BLACK LGBT+ PEOPLE EVEN HARDER THAN MOST
A MIXED-RACE gay man who moved to Manchester just before the first lockdown has spoken out about the challenges facing the community.
A recent survey of almost 3,000 young people by LGBT+ charity Just Like Us identified that black LGBT+ youths’ mental health has been severely impacted by the pandemic.
It said 29 per cent of black LGBT+ young people reported daily tension at home during the lockdown.
Samuel Picton, 20, came to Manchester from Rotherham last year after becoming a regular in the city’s gay village.
But during lockdown, the village was essentially shut down while LGBT+ organisations and charities were met with ‘unprecedented’ demand.
“We have all faced our individual struggles,” Samuel said.
“I wasn’t able to train at my local athletics track and see my friends there.
“It’s affected both my physical and mental health.
“As a mixed-race gay man, I have seen and often experienced the unique difficulties that black LGBT+ people have faced over the last year.
“I believe that social media has played a part in affecting the mental health of black LGBT+ people over lockdown – though you can’t blame anybody for using their phones as an outlet during this unprecedented time.
“To elevate matters, the momentum that Black Lives Matter gained last summer, and the protests that followed, has created a space for racism and violence from those that oppose the movement both on social media and on the streets.
“To look at our phones became such a draining exercise.”
Samuel has started to work as an ambassador for Just Like Us in a bid to tackle some of the issues faced by young LGBT+ people today.
“So many changes are going to be made in this world because of Just Like Us and the work that they do with young people in schools,” he says.
“As I’m sure many do, I often think of a more inclusive world – especially one where my trans and non-binary friends are safer and more widely celebrated.”
Dominic Arnall, chief executive of Just Like Us, has called for schools to ensure LGBT+ young people are supported during the pandemic.
“This is the biggest risk to the mental health of LGBT+ young people since Section 28,” Dominic said.
“The pandemic has been a difficult period for everyone, but our research clearly demonstrates the impact of coronavirus and lockdown has not fallen evenly.”