Multiple lockdowns and limited access to support during the pandemic increased gender dysphoria – the distress a person feels due to the mismatch between their personal sense of gender and their sex assigned at birth – and the mental health challenges experienced by transgender people, according to new research from the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).
The report is the first large-scale review of evidence about the experiences of LGBT+ people in Britain during the pandemic and analysed 50 studies from 2020-21 and data from 1,745 people who took part in multiple surveys during April and June 2020.
The research identifies that the loss of safe and supportive spaces, and isolation from peer groups, including the disruption to LGBT+ services, significantly impacted the mental health, wellbeing and safety of LGBT+ communities in the UK – with many trans and younger LGBT+ people reporting that they were more likely to self-harm or attempt or think about suicide during this period.
Many of those surveyed said their mental health and feelings of gender dysphoria were exacerbated by cancelled hospital appointments, postponed transition-related care and reduced mental health support, as well as reduced face-to-face contact with their LGBT+ peers – with the latter particularly felt by younger LGBT+ people.
The review revealed that feelings of loneliness and isolation were “key aspects” of LGBT+ communities’ experience of the pandemic.
The research was a combination of a rapid evidence assessment of existing studies conducted during the pandemic, as well as survey data collected by Intercom Trust, LGBT Foundation and Stonewall during April and June 2020.
NatCen reports significant evidence gaps about the experiences of LGBT+ people during the pandemic and says that there is a particular need for further research into the experiences of LGBT+ people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and LGBT+ people of colour, as well as LGBT+ disabled people.
“LGBT+ communities’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been wide-ranging, with negative impacts on mental health, safety and access to services,” says Nathan Hudson, research director at NatCen. “That there are significant evidence gaps for particular LGBT+ communities is concerning, and shows the need for further research to help ensure no group is left behind in our recovery from COVID-19.”
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