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Lunch Positive’s HIV Supper Group reopens
New report from Equality Network shows “inequality a major mental health risk for LGBTQ+ people in rural Scotland”
Held in the community rooms on the first and second floors at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, the evening takes place in a Covid-secure setting with a great choice of food and table service from Lunch Positive volunteers.
) Lunch Positive’s popular
evening Supper Group restarts on Wednesday, November 11 and will then run every month on the second Wednesday. Doors open 6pm; food is served 6.30pm. The Supper Group is open to anyone with HIV who would like to spend time together in a safe and supportive group, making friendships and sharing an enjoyable social evening.
There is no charge for the meal, but a suggested donation of £2 is welcome. The Supper Group has already proved very popular and is a great way to meet new people and make friendships, especially at a time when opportunities to be with others are generally more limited. The response from existing and new Lunch Positive members has been fantastic, and people returning or coming along for the first time are greatly welcomed. There is no need to book ahead, but if you are going along for the first time, contact Lunch Positive in advance by emailing friends@ lunchpositive.org or calling Gary on 07846 464384. D www.lunchpositive.org
Aids Memorial gets spruced up!
) A new report from LGBTQ+ social policy charity Equality Network has highlighted the true experience of minority stress and heightened poor mental health for LGBTQ+ people living in rural Scotland. The report details how social inequalities, prejudice and discrimination as well as a lack of access to inclusive and equalities competent services can have a detrimental effect on wellbeing and mental health. It states that 86% of LGBTQ+ people living rurally who answered related questions had experienced poor mental health. Sixty-two per cent had considered taking their own life and 27% had attempted to complete suicide. As well as presenting statistical data, the report shares the qualitative experiences gathered between 2017 and 2020 of LGBTQ+ individuals living rurally. Many individuals state explicitly that they are aware of how discrimination and prejudice, coupled with feeling unable to express themselves freely, has a direct impact on their mental health. The stories shared shine a light on experiences that may explain why many within the LGBTQ+ community suffer poor mental health: ‘I am moving away from the islands to a city because I feel that LGBTQ+ people cannot live a full and comfortable life here.’ ‘I got asked to leave a local bar as “people like me aren’t welcome there”.’ ‘I have been surrounded and spat upon, then knocked to the ground.’ ‘[I] have witnessed a trans person have to run for their life.’ The report highlights the main factors in minority stress, and subsequently, poor mental health experienced as an LGBTQ+ person living rurally in Scotland. These include the perception of socially ‘conservative communities’, ‘traditional gender roles and misogyny’, religion, suppression of one’s identity in rural spaces, a lack of LGBTQ+ visibility, awareness and safe inclusive spaces as well as isolation and poor access to services. The report also makes clear that the disproportionate effect of the Covid-19 pandemic has heightened health and social inequalities and placed this minority group living rurally at an even higher risk of poor mental health.
DR REBECCA CROWTHER
Rebecca Crowther, Policy Coordinator at Equality Network, said “We’ve long known that the LGBTQ+ community, wherever they live, suffer disproportionately with poor mental health due to inequalities, lack of LGBTQ+ awareness, lack of visibility, lack of access, rising hate crime, prejudice, bullying and a lack of acceptance as well as the historical marginalisation of LGBTQ+ people.
) The Brighton & Hove Aids
Memorial, Tay, which was sculpted by Romany Mark Bruce in 2009, has been professionally cleaned and rewaxed with a protective coating by specialist bronze casting foundry, Milwyn Casting.
The cleaning, which was paid for by the Brighton Rainbow Fund, will protect the Memorial over the winter months and make it gleam for World Aids Day on Tuesday, December 1.
“We now know that this prevalence of poor mental health within the community is worsening, and Covid-19 is only set to exacerbate this. Isolation, being stuck at home, de-prioritisation of health services and online toxicity has heightened feelings of loneliness and desperation amongst the community, particularly for young people and for the elder LGBTQ+ community.” D To see the full report, visit: www.equality-network.org/resources/ publications/policy/further-out-scottish-lgbt-rural-report-2020/ D For more info on the Equality Network, visit: www.equality-network.org
