DIVA Media Group, the publishers of DIVA magazine, in partnership with The Advocate, have released the results of the inaugural Lesbian Visibility Week (which this year takes place between 20-26 April) survey, the largest piece of research recognising, celebrating and supporting lesbian, non-binary lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer women across the UK and beyond.
In partnership with Kantar, DIVA received over 1,400 responses to the survey, answering questions from a broad range of topics including lifestyle, identity, relationships, family, travel and financial topics.
Key findings from this year’s survey include:
- Mental health: The results from this survey revealed that 43% suffer from stress and anxiety and 35% suffer from mental health related issues. Whilst this survey was done prior to the COVID-19 crisis forcing lockdowns, DIVA is hearing directly from readers of all ages, who are struggling with isolation. They are certainly hearing early indications around the importance of inclusive health and well-being support.
- Safety: LGBTQ+ women feel safest at home, and report experiences of feeling anxious and unsafe in public spaces, partially resulting from past experiences.
- The workplace: Overall findings indicate that LGBTQ+ women face several struggles in the workplace, including not feeling emotionally supported at work, feeling ‘othered’ within the workplace culture, being surrounded by non-inclusive language and being a ‘minority within a minority’ within a male-dominated and heteronormative environment.
- Family: Among those with children, 36% claim to have experienced homophobia from other parents and 36% claim their children have been victims of homophobia due to their parents’ sexual orientation.
- LGBTQ+ Spaces: 79% of LGBTQ+ women feel that gay men have more visibility than they do. Many LGBTQ+ women feel that there are not enough events for them, with one in three claiming that there are not enough LGBTQ+ events aimed at their interests and this was a barrier to them attending LGBTQ+ events.
- Coming out: The research shows generational shifts around coming of age and coming out. 52% of LGBTQ+ women came out aged 19 or older, while 29% came out under the age of 18.
- Gender Identity: There are disparities between the experiences of transgender women and their cisgender counterparts across the themes explored, this was more apparent when asked about work and safety in public spaces.
The full survey, plus a visual survey summary, can be found here.
Linda Riley, Publisher of DIVA magazine, said: ”I am delighted that DIVA Media Group has launched the inaugural Lesbian Visibility Week. The DIVA research really highlights the challenges that LGBTQ+ women face; feeling invisible and unsupported in key areas of their lives.
“A standout point in the research was finding out that 36% of LGBTQ+ parents told us that their children had been targeted with homophobic abuse which highlights just how much we still need to do to achieve equality – not just for ourselves but for our children too.
“I hope that Lesbian Visibility Week becomes an integral part of the LGBTQ+ calendar going forward, ensuring LGBTQ+ women remain a visible part of the LGBTQ+ community and receive the recognition and celebration we deserve.”
Lesbian Visibility Week, which this year takes place between 20-26 April, is a new annual global initiative launched by DIVA Media Group, the publishers of DIVA magazine, recognising, celebrating and supporting lesbian, non-binary, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer women across the UK and beyond.
To find out more,visit the website.
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