Where are support networks?
- Home, outdoors
- Pop-up spaces, specific use spaces
- Online, on the phone
- Medical and therapeutic spaces
Support networks, like all forms of community, rely on places, as well as people. When discussing where they found points of support in their lives, survey respondents mentioned a variety of spaces, including physical places and virtual forums.
Some described more private spaces for solitary activities, such as reading at home, or walking in nature.
“I find safety, stability, and comfort in my bedroom.”
Many respondents mentioned public spaces such as cafes, pubs, and clubs, where LGBTI+ people meet and socialise, as well as pop-up spaces for group meet-ups and events.
“Queer spaces like cafes and bars and cabaret and drag shows and queer club nights are a lot of where we come together. It’s beautiful when you can look around and see other people being openly queer and in the majority. We make spaces for ourselves within society.”
For some, medical and therapeutic spaces were an important part of their regular support system, e.g., doctors’ and counsellors’ offices.
“I attend therapy in person and it supports all areas of my life and helps me work through any thing that has happened [that] week as well as previous trauma. When I miss a week, the absence is felt.”
“Therapy is also a huge source of support because a professional is helping me have the tools to build up my self-esteem and resilience, but I am among the lucky people who can afford to access private therapy sessions.”
Several trans respondents described attending appointments for gender-affirming medical and mental health care. As will be explored later, COVID-19 lockdowns cut patients off from most in-person gender-affirming care, which left trans people particularly affected.
(For more information, see LGBT Foundation’s Why LGBT People are Disproportionately Impacted by Covid-19)[19]
Both before, and during the pandemic, online spaces, including phone apps, were essential tools for respondents to find connection and digital spaces to socialise.
“I don’t currently attend any in-person events, or even meet friends indoors. This means that the online contact and community I get through people I engage with on Instagram takes on a greater importance, in terms of reducing isolation, sharing my experiences and feeling part of community.”
“The online communities I am part of are very inclusive and supportive, and importantly share a lot of humour and positivity so it’s not always about the negative experiences.”
