Just Like Us calls on LGBTQ+ young adults to share their experiences for new report

LGBTQ+ youth charity Just Like Us is publishing a report later this year that focuses on the experiences of young queer adults in the UK.

According to the charity, the report will cover “everything from their wellbeing and home life, to their experiences in the world of work, as well as taking into account intersections like faith, race and disability.”

Just Like Us is encouraging queer 18 to 25-year-olds to lend their voice for a survey, which can be found here.

Their previous report, Growing Up LGBT+, surveyed pupils aged 11 to 18 and more than 500 educators across the UK.

The charity found that LGBTQ+ people under 18 are twice as likely to experience loneliness and worry about their mental health and twice as likely to be bullied than their cis-het peers, while one in four faced “daily tensions at home”.

Dominic Arnall, Chief Executive of Just Like Us, said: “Our report into the experiences of 18 to 25-year-olds will be vital in understanding the challenges faced by LGBT+ young adults, the issues they care about and the challenges they are facing.

“We know from our previous report, Growing Up LGBT+, that LGBT+ young people face disproportionate challenges, but the report also showed that sending positive messages of LGBT+ acceptance led to better outcomes for all young people.

“This new research will help us understand what needs to be done to improve the wellbeing of young adults, too.”

Billy, a 21-year-old ambassador for Just Like Us, added: “We all have the power to add our voices to the data pool on LGBT+ identities and experiences, and I believe we should all use that power to make our community and our struggles more visible.”

“Outcomes from this survey could help employers understand how important it is to support LGBT+ young people at university and in the workplace,” said Bronwyn, a 23-year-old ambassador from the North East of England.

“Speak up, and you can change the future of LGBT+ inclusion for the better.”

Visit Just Like Us’ website for more information on the charity and their upcoming report.