A new study by Just Like Us, an LGBTQ+ young people’s charity in the UK, has found that 79% of lesbian young adults have felt ashamed of being LGBTQ+. The study surveyed 3,695 young people aged 18 to 25, finding that lesbian young adults were the most likely to feel ashamed, followed by trans and non-binary youth. Overall, the study found that 70% of young adults reported feeling ashamed of being LGBTQ+.
Amy Ashenden, interim CEO of Just Like Us, stated that “no young person should be ashamed because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans.” Ashenden further expressed sadness at the fact that young lesbians were the most likely in the community to feel ashamed, attributing this to lesbophobic stereotypes and the double impact of homophobia and misogyny.
Just Like Us has released a report called Positive Futures, which looks at the experiences of LGBTQ+ young adults in the UK, including their wellbeing and intersections like race and disability. The organization has called on teachers to get in touch to access resources and training to ensure that LGBTQ+ young people never feel ashamed of who they are again.
In response to the findings, a spokesperson for LGBTQ+ youth charity Mosaic Trust expressed the importance of community spaces like Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, where young LGBTQ+ people can explore and shape their own identities while building a sense of belonging. The spokesperson also emphasized the need for intersectional awareness, inclusive practices, and allyship within the LGBTQ+ community.
Pippa Sterk, an ambassador for Just Like Us, previously highlighted the issue of loneliness among lesbians during the COVID-19 pandemic, with four out of five lesbians reporting that their mental health worsened during lockdown. This study sheds light on the need for continued support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly among young adults who may feel marginalized and ashamed of their identities.
