Alt.Cardiff magazine: Facing homophobia

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FACING HOMOPHOBIA December 2021 | Issue 1

IN THE NEWS

Run,run,Rudolph! Santa Dash is coming to town Hosted by Calon Heart Screening and Defibrillators, the proceeds will go towards lifesaving medical measures

he Santa and Elf Dash will take place at Cardiff Bay on 5 December, so run, walk or dance for a good cause. Hosted by Welsh charity Calon Heart Screening and Defibrillators, the event will raise money for lifesaving medical procedures, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and the installation of defibrillators.

If you’re looking for an excuse to dress up like it’s Christmas already, this 5 kilometre run presents the perfect opportunity.

While it isn’t necessary to turn into Santa, his little helpers, or even a reindeer, it is encouraged. The festivities begin at 10am, and the dash starts at 12pm from Roald Dahl Pass.

Charity director Sharon Owen says through this event it hopes to collect funds to continue its work. She says, “We want to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases while allowing people to have fun.”

Head down to Cardiff Bay, dress up, and don’t forget to snap that Christmas elfie.

Credit: Calon Heart Screening and Defibrillators

According to the British Heart Foundation, only 1 in 10 people in Britain survive an out-ofhospital cardiac arrest. The lack of CPR training and absence of defibrillators in public spaces have contributed to this figure. The Resuscitation Council notes that over 38% of UK adults are unaware of essential CPR skills.

The weekend will mark the tenth anniversary of the run. Sharon notes that 1,700 people will be attending the event. Since its inception, 73,000 people have been given CPR training, and 5,500 have been screened.

However, because of lockdown, not as many people were screened.

“Covid-19 is serious but people are dying of underlying heart

Cardiff's only veggie Indian restaurant Vegetarian Food Studio has left its mark on the Cardiff food scene as the only all-vegetarian Indian restaurant, having bagged 30 awards since it opened in 2003.

In the UK most people consume meat daily, making vegetarian-only restaurants a rare occurrence. As for Cardiffians, 13% do not eat meat, and according to a survey by the Food Standards Agency, 3% of UK respondents have adopted a vegetarian diet.

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However, more individuals are now moving towards plantbased food.

“People are now realising that vegetarian food is not only healthy but tasty as well,” said Raj Patel, the owner of the family-run establishment.

Their ethos is to reinvent traditional Indian dishes by striking a balance between appealing plates and ingredients that are noroushing.

“Our food is honest, family cooking,” Raj concluded.

conditions that could have been detected had all services not been stopped,” says Sharon, “Covid-19 is only tenth on the list when you compare it to heart disease and cancer.”

Last year, the event was virtual as people ran around their gardens. This year, for £10 per ticket, or four for £30, make the most of your weekend by signing up today.

More stories

by Nikita here

Fancy some tea or butterbeer?

The historic Coal Exchange Hotel is hosting a Harry Potter themed afternoon tea.

The event on 12 December is aptly titled the Wizards and Witches Afternoon Tea and starts at 12:30pm and runs until 4pm. The specially themed afternoon tea is the third edition of the hotel’s event and the setting will be transformed into Hogwarts’ Great Hall. Expect to be greeted by the most-loved characters on arrival, and consume themed cocktails, sand-witches, and sweets on par with Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. Guests are encouraged to sport their house colours. Have a pint or two of butterbeer but remember not to kiss any dementors!

Cover images: Gryffyn M., Mohammed Hassan, Christian Sterk

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INTERVIEW

How lockdown helped this Instagram blogger find their voice Amid the chaos, the pandemic helped Dot Masters discover themselves

Dot Masters

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he pandemic was eye opening for local Instagram blogger Dot Masters who talks daily about mental health, body image, and queer issues to thousands of followers. They started their Instagram page during the first lockdown to document their thoughts, only to realise later that it helped others.

18 months on, the page has now become a full-time job for Dot, which they manage alongside being a stay-at-home mum to two.

Having struggled with body image issues, on Dot’s daughter’s birthday, which was during the first lockdown, they were struck by a “lightbulb moment”.

While baking cake, Dot did not eat any, and their children asked why. “I didn’t want to tell them I couldn’t have cake because I didn’t want to pass it to them,” Dot reflected. “And I thought: if I didn’t want to pass it on to them, then I shouldn’t be doing it. So, I had the cake.”

Dot quit dieting and the next day, they started their Instagram account (@daydreaming_dot).

Helping others feel seen Dot amassed more than 3,700 followers over a year. The motivation behind starting their page was simple. They wanted to normalise talking about mental health and body image issues, and to let people know that they’re seen.

“Lots of people don’t have great role models, I know I didn’t,” they

"I thought: if I didn’t want to pass it on to them, then I shouldn’t be doing it.

So, I had the cake"

explained. “My page was like a diary, but then it started gaining traction and I realised that I was helping people.”

The pandemic effect The subsequent lockdowns acted as a “step back from society” and gave them enough time to introspect.

Having used life to distract them in the past, whenever Dot felt overwhelmed, they would simply repress it.

But as the country faced a mental health crisis, Dot began creating content on feeling vulnerable. Their content revolves around body positivity, raising awareness about non-binary people, self-love, and normalising things that are frowned upon.

Dot’s Instagram posts are accompanied by raw captions about tackling anxiety, being stronger than one’s struggles, and knowing what you deserve.

life. It is now a hug from a loved one, a walk in the park with a dog, and sharing a laugh over a cup of coffee.

Through Instagram, Dot is grateful to have met like-minded people and even made friends in South Wales.

For Dot, “What makes life beautiful is the littlest things.”

Words and image by Nikita Achanta

A fresh outlook on life Dot ponders, “Now, I find the magic, beauty, joy and love in the little things.”

The pandemic has forced people to re-evaluate what is important in

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Credit: Norbu Gyachung

SPOTLIGHT

Credit: Margaux Bellott

FAR FROM BEING SAFE

Credit: Jakayla Toney

Building a home away from home, but still facing homophobia

Words by Nikita Achanta

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Three Cardiff-based organisations are seeking an end to homophobia against LGBTQ+ people of colour who move to the UK

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ooking your flight tickets, packing your bags, and grabbing a coffee at the airport as you get ready to board the plane to a country where your dreams will come true is exciting.

Moving countries for education, work, or to start a new life can be daunting. But what brings you hope and joy is the freedom you, a queer person, will have to finally be yourself.

That is how it can feel to come from a country where same-sex relationships are outlawed.

There are 69 countries that still criminalise homosexuality, according to The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. In England and Wales, homosexuality was legalised in 1967.

England and Wales are home to 56.1 million people, as per the 2011 census. 7.5% are from Asian ethnic groups, followed by black ethnic groups at 3.4%, mixed ethnic groups at 2.2%, and other ethnic groups at 1%. When it comes to identifying as LGBTQ+, the Office of National Statistics reports that 2.7% of the adult UK population does so.

While there are no clear numbers presented by the government on the homophobia faced by black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups, the intersectionality of race and sexual identity cannot be overlooked. The problem worsens for those moving countries, with the added stress of building a new home.

The question remains: can anyone help?

For those who move from countries where they are persecuted for their sexuality, it still is not easy.

Aaron*, a scientist who moved to Cardiff from the Philippines, has lived in the UK since he was six.

Aaron, who identifies as bisexual, says, “I have heard the classic ‘but you are confused and are going to end up gay soon’ phrase, not only from heterosexual people, but also from the queer community.”

"The country is far from being safe for queer and trans people" Yan White

He believes that it not only encourages the erasure of bisexuals from the narrative, but targets the niche group of bisexual men, thereby increasing the rates of stigma within society.

However, he has been grateful for the support he has received from his friends, and a group chat called “Queers in Cardiff”. The latter has allowed him to meet and share his experiences with other queer people.

Seeking support elsewhere According to the 2021 UK Black Pride Survey, only 25% of respondents felt that queer spaces were welcoming for people of colour. This number is concerning as, in comparison, 67% of white LGBTQ+ individuals felt these spaces were comforting.

But all hope is not lost. South Wales is home to grassroots organisations that have been working towards achieving equality for people of colour of all sexual identities. Culturally diverse communities can seek help or share their experiences of homophobia at local safe spaces. *Names have been changed to protect their identity

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SPOTLIGHT Race Council Cymru is one of them. The organisation focuses on combating racial prejudice, victimisation, and violence in Wales, while offering mental health advice.

Director Kay Denyer explains the number of ethnic minorities who have approached the organisation over the past three years is approximately 2,000. With regard to having experienced homophobia, five people under the age of 30 have reported it to the organisation.

The Black Pride Survey also states that, based on their ethnicity, 49% of the Asian respondents have experienced some form of discrimination or harassment in LGBTQ+ spaces. It is, therefore, not surprising that ethnic minorities are more anxious about freely expressing their sexual identity, as Kay concurs.

Another organisation that promotes equality for all, Diverse Cymru, agrees. Policy, engagement and research manager Ele Hicks notes that many refugees and asylum seekers are fleeing because of threats of violence based on their sexuality.

Ele commented, “They come from backgrounds where being open could subject them to conversion therapy, socalled corrective rape, and imprisonment.”

The times they are a-changin’

"Being open could subject them to conversion therapy, rape and imprisonment" Ele Hicks

Where does change then begin? According to Kay, “Education and accurate information taught widely in all schools and better representation across media can help make the UK a safer place for [people of colour] to express their identity.”

The Queer Emporium, on the other hand, believes the country has a “really long way to go” when it comes to eliminating homophobia and transphobia against people of colour. “The country is far from being safe for queer and trans people,” said the founder and manager, Yan White.

Located on St. Mary’s Street, the shop provides a space to several minority sellers and artists to showcase their work.

“The emporium reflects the wider part of the LGBTQ+ community, across the UK and particularly in Cardiff,” Yan commented, “We have quite a lot of visits from BAME people, and from refugees as well. But I have heard many stories of queer people from different backgrounds experiencing homophobia locally.”

As for Diverse Cymru, Ele emphasises on the need to ensure that people are not split into individual characteristics.

“As a society, we focus on race separately to sexuality,” Ele continued, “This approach means that solutions only work for people with one characteristic, not several.”

The organisation provides mental health support for black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups, and also to “refugees and asylum seekers due to the trauma they are fleeing,” she said.

While they do not run services specifically for refugees and asylum seekers, Ele recommends the Trinity Centre, Oasis Cardiff, and Glitter Cymru.

Long road ahead It is time to end homophobia and bring an end to hate crimes against people of colour. The feeling of home can be attained only when one is truly safe. The voices of black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups must be amplified.

Messages must be tailored for different communities and be accessible in multiple languages.

It is time the United Kingdom stood true to its name.

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