Lead Pic Credit: Norman Miller
A collaborative study between the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender at University of Brighton and LGBTQ+ mental health charity MindOut has revealed a ‘sometimes complex’ response by LGBTQ+ people to living in the UK’s ‘gay capital’.
The recently-ended two-year project was led by Brighton researcher Dr Zoe Boden-Stuart, and explored feelings around migration, social isolation, loneliness and mental health for LGBTQ+ people who had chosen to move to the city, and who had sought support from MindOut.
Across the UK, those in the LGBTQ+ community can often face discrimination and social exclusion, resulting in significantly poorer mental health. As a result, many migrate in search of a greater sense of safety, acceptance and community, with the city of Brighton & Hove – widely known as the UK’s ‘gay capital’ – being a popular choice.
Drawing on insights from psychology and geography, the University of Brighton research team heard from a range of people in the city’s gay, lesbian and queer communities. As well as verbal insights, participants in the study also provided maps and drawings giving visual illustrations of their experiences of migrating to and living in Brighton.
Dr Boden-Stuart, a working psychotherapist as well as Principal Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Science at University of Brighton, said: “This research was a fantastic collaboration between researchers in the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender at the University of Brighton, and MindOut, a brilliant local charity providing LGBTQ+ mental health support.
“Our research shows how, despite Brighton being known as an LGBTQ+ city, queer people facing mental health challenges can still struggle with isolation and loneliness. Our participants told us that spaces like MindOut offer LGBTQ+ people ‘safe havens’ to talk about their mental health, and this can be crucial in helping everyone to feel at home in our city.”
The study’s final report used a variety of headings to highlight major factors behind why LGBTQ+ people chose to move to Brighton & Hove. One dubbed Queer Quests, for example, explores how people who had felt lonely and isolated in their previous home community saw Brighton as a place to escape to that offered support such as LGBTQ+ friendly health and wellbeing services.
Another section looked at the liberating effect of living in a city with a high concentration of gay, lesbian and queer people, and corresponding feelings of safety and connection. The city’s location framed by the South Downs National Park and the sea was another factor valued by those who had felt excluded and unhappy elsewhere.
The report also highlights challenges some LGBTQ+ people faced after moving to Brighton & Hove, including a section headed Cheated Expectations. This describes the disappointment of continued loneliness and sense of exclusion some LGBTQ+ people in the city experienced on the grounds of their mental health status, neurodiversity and other issues such as age, gender, class and financial resources.
The study recognises that, while Brighton & Hove provided a great deal that was positive for LGBTQ+ incomers, it can sometimes be impossible to escape from negative experiences and feelings. The University of Brighton study reveals how support from organisations such as MindOut was key to supporting all within the LGBTQ+community thrive in the city.
To see the report in full, CLICK HERE
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