Date: 28th February
“To me, gender is not physical at all but is altogether insubstantial. It is soul, perhaps, it is talent, it is taste, it is environment, it is how one feels, it is light and shade, it is inner music.”
– Jan Morris, Author of ‘Conundrum’
LGBTQ+ History month is an annual event that recognises and highlights the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community and brings awareness to the struggles that have been faced throughout history and in today’s society.
One of these struggles is Homelessness
Research shows that people from the LGBTQ+ community are four times more often faced with homelessness than their peers, especially young people (18-25), with 77% becoming homeless. Some of the reasons for this are due to family rejection, lack of support, living with abuse or being asked to leave home.
Almost one in five LGBTQ+ people have experienced homelessness in their lives, which includes transgender people and those with disabilities. Furthermore, it is suggested the LGBTQ+ community are at a heightened risk of experiencing violence when rough sleeping and homophobic and transphobic bullying in temporary accommodation. This has resulted in many individuals being anxious in seeking support, as 40% of mainstream homelessness and housing providers are suggested not to undertake comprehensive and inclusive monitoring of gender and sexual identity. Our residents believe the LGBTQ+ community can be better supported by housing providers by providing LGBTQ+ specific accommodation and support workers and wider in-house training and advocacy programmes for both staff and residents.
At Harbour Housing, at the point of entry into our services and throughout our support, we honour each individual’s choice of gender and preferred pronouns and begin where people are in their journey without judgment. We support a diverse range of people to have the best possible life and ensure that we can offer services and activities where everyone is included. From our Talk and Tea sessions that provide individuals with an opportunity to discuss difficult topics to supporting local LGBTQ+ events.
During LGBTQ+ History Month, residents have attended workshops to explore their understanding of gender identity and gender expression. Learning about the gender binary, non-binary and genderqueer identities has provided conversations, where they were free to express their views and value individual choices.
Further Reading
Jan Morris
One of the first memoirs on Transsexuality: ‘Conundrum’ A profound and poetic story of a ten-year transition.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Morris
The Stonewall Riots
The Stonewall uprising took place in the context of broader civil rights movements
Further Support
Stonewall Housing are the leading national charity in the UK, supporting the LGBTQ+ community who are experiencing Homelessness or living in an unsafe environment.
Click the link below for further support
https://stonewallhousing.org/gethelp/
Homeless Link
https://homeless.org.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwuK9rpDciwMV_qVQBh153C34EAAYASAAEgI19vD_BwE
9th September
Cultural feast shared by staff celebrates diversity and inclusion.
Harbour Housing recognised the generosity of one of its own colleagues through its Act of Kindness Award, celebrating the everyday
23rd June
13th June
9th June
27th May
22nd May
