Local LGBTQ+ community want to be out and proud
As community events, get-togethers and social gatherings return to Lochaber, local campaigners are looking for increased visibility for LGBTQ+ groups, writes Fiona Scott.
Ryan Laskey was born and raised in Fort William, leaving when he was 17 to attend college and later university in Manchester. On moving back in 2019 with his fiancé, Ryan was overjoyed to see the LGBTQ+ community in Fort William was growing and that attitudes towards it had changed. Because of this he wanted to create a Lochaber Pride event but due to Covid everything stalled before it even got started.
Ryan believes the town lacks a foundation for the LGBTQ+ community and plans to still do something to help.
‘There’s nowhere for people to reach out to and nothing to help them to feel seen,’ he told us. ‘People can very quickly feel isolated or feel they can’t approach professionals if they have any issues.
‘The people who are supposed to be there for you just don’t know anything about the LGBTQ+ community. I don’t think it comes from a bad place - they just don’t know how to answer the questions.
‘I think by pulling together as a community, being more visible and engaging with others, it will make life for the LGBTQ+ community easier on a day-to-day basis.’
Fort William and Ardnamurchan councillor Sarah Fanet believes supporting young LGBTQ+ people is a matter of public health and will have socio-economic benefits for Lochaber.
Ms Fanet attended the last full council meeting before the election in May where one of the items discussed was a report by the director of public health which dealt extensively with suicide and self-harm.
The report stated LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately more likely to experience poor mental health, self-harm and attempt or complete suicide, often because they feel isolated.
Ms Fanet told the Lochaber Times she had been approached in 2020 by some young people who wanted to organise a Pride event in Fort William.
‘It struck me how little support they had found at the time,’ she added. ‘The will is there. The people of the Highlands are accepting and will show support when such events take place. However, the logistics and support to make things happen and create visibility is still lacking.
‘When you feel isolated and there is no visibility of who you are around you, your mental health is more likely to suffer.
‘We need to put an end to this lack of visibility which too often has led young people to leave the Highlands and start a new life in a city where they felt they would find support and feel less isolated,’ she added.
‘It is time we sent a clear message that Lochaber is a place where it is OK to be LGBTQ+.’