I’ve been finding it hard lately to come up with something to blog about. Oh sure, there’s a whole rack of YouTube videos I have flagged and ready to roll, but knowing which is most important or what to say to lead into them has been somewhat holding me back.
Today that changed, and thanks to Beau for this insightful message to everyone. I’m not sure he really knows what a sea-change he may have started.
Rainbow Responders, an initiative developed in Scotland by Pink Saltire, have just emailed me the results of their recent study into the effects of lockdown on the Scottish LGBT+ community, and I’m relaying the email to you in full in this post. It makes interesting, and concerning, reading.
2 out of 3 LGBT+ people have faced isolation or loneliness during the COVID pandemic and it has been the single biggest challenge for the community, as outlined in a new report published today.
‘Community Matters – The Impact of Lockdown on Scottish LGBT+ Communities’, released as part of the Rainbow Responders programme managed by Pink Saltire, details a worrying number of LGBT+ people are dealing with mental health challenges, with many turning to drink and drugs to help them cope.
The research has also evidenced very low levels of trust in public services amongst the LGBT+ community and disproportionately low levels of funding for vital services.
If you’re ever in need of assistance in a life threatening situation and are unable to speak clearly to the responder for fear of being found out then remember this story, and adapt it for your own country as appropriate.
Stay safe.
Pink Saltire is an organisation that I have worked closely with for a number of years now and is Scotland’s community voice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people of all age groups.
Since 2014 they have been doing an immense amount of good work for the LGBT+ community here in Scotland, and it is no exaggeration to say that recent advances in the wellbeing, understanding and acceptance of the LGBT+ community in Scotland as a whole is in no small part down to their efforts.
In this post I’ll be reviewing some of the products that are available from their online store.
 |
| Dear Friend, you are invited to the event LGBTI + Rural life during COVID-19. Evidence suggests that the disproportionately high incidence of poor mental health within the LGBTI+ population living rurally is due to prejudice, isolation and minority stress. Prejudice and lack of inclusion is experienced in social life, the public sector, work life and school. Evidence shows that service provision is not meeting the needs of LGBTI+ people in rural areas in Scotland. This lack of provision leads to feelings of isolation and lack of visibility. We know that these are big issues with significant impact on the community, and Covid 19 has potentially made things worse. We want to ensure that LGBTI people living rurally are heard when it comes to social, economic and community recovery. Please join us on the 17th of September at 6pm. For an online event to allow for open and safe discussion around LGBTI inclusion and equality. Open to all LGBTI people who live and work within rural spaces, who would like to share their experiences in order to see improvements made. |
Event details  Thursday, September 17, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM  Online Event:Register at https://www.outsavvy.com/event/5033/lgbti-rural-life-during-covid-19-tickets Please share this event on Facebook and Twitter with your friends. Book your tickets below. We hope to see you there! Yours for equality, Rebecca Crowther, Ph.D Policy Coordinator Copyright © 2019 Equality Network. All rights reserved. |
For some time now I’ve been think about starting up a YouTube channel.
The problem I have is that I don’t feel that there’s enough I can offer to make it fully or even mainly about transgender issues or, for that matter, about any one particular subject. Which leaves me with a problem …
What to call it?
Well, at least Friday was nice.
I was due for some new wigs, courtesy of the NHS, and went over to Edinburgh to make my selection. I picked out one in a similarish style to my usual ones but with a bit of a colour change, and have ordered three more in from which I’ll select another. I went over with a friend as she wanted to get a new wig and some professional advice and she came away with something that will look really good on her.
Also my friend had bought me a small gift as a thank you for being so helpful and supportive to her over the past few months, a lovely necklace that I’d seen in a shop window the week before and drooled over. When I got home and undid the parcel I was deeply touched by her sweet gesture. I’ll show you both the wig and the necklace in a future post.
It was later on Friday evening that things started to go wrong.
Whilst being an advocate for LGBT+ rights I have made a point of keeping away from mainstream politics on this blog because it can become a wormhole that sucks one in and can be hard to escape from, but for a long time I’ve been wanting to find something that could highlight just how wrong I feel the current administration in the USA is.
Last night Joe Biden gave his speech to the Democratic National Convention and if ever there were an example of the difference between the current incumbent and a “normal” and caring human being then this is it.
I’m linking here to the whole speech so that you may judge for yourself, and I urge all Americans to use their vote in the upcoming election to democratically help rid the world of the vile, despotic, narcissistic and incompetent disgrace that currently sits in the Oval Office.
I, for one, want to be able to believe in America again.
Whether it takes just a small step or a major leap, you owe it to yourself to be true to who you are.
Stay safe, and be happy.
Ever since I had my “epiphany” and fully recognised the truth about myself I have wanted to be able to go out in public looking as female as that beatch “Mother Nature” will allow.
It’s been a long, hard road because I’m just over 6 feet tall, fairly sturdily built, have large ears, large hands, large feet and, most disappointingly, androgenetic alopecia a.k.a. Male Pattern Baldness. In my case this baldness is not complete (as in the whole of the top of my head is bald) but I have a deep bald “river” on each side and a central “patchiness” to my hair.
Looking at life from the eyes of someone born in the wrong body.
My little boy, becoming a 17 year old girl...
Philosophy is all about being curious, asking basic questions. And it can be fun!
Injustices we may not be aware of
The journey of a 20-something woman discovering her sexuality
Funny Blogs With A Hint Of Personal Development
Words and Pictures from the Middle East
Transcend Sisterhood
My Blog Site
Interesting stories about everyday moments.
Life stories, road adventures, and big dreams by Marron Santillan
My mind dabbles. . . does yours?
This is me a transgender woman
Empowered by love
Stories and photos from Scotland
Tales from the mouth of a wolf
Your Community Voice
Raku pottery, vases, and gifts
Users Manuals for Second Life Products
Tish 