‘Bigotry is all around us, and we have to deal with that’: Exploring LGBTQ+ young people’s experiences and understandings of health inequalities in North East England

Abstract

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/agender+ (LGBTQ+ hereafter) people report poorer health and worse experiences of healthcare than the general population, compounded by growing inequalities in health seen across the UK. Correspondingly, LGBTQ+ youth have higher rates of several negative health outcomes, particularly depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation. Methods: This paper explores the views and experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in North East England in relation to health inequalities, with data collected from two youth groups (n=20) situated within socio-economically deprived areas (according to IMD measures). Three 1.5 hour focus-groups with each youth group were conducted. Findings: Participants faced discrimination in most areas of life, with damaging and long-lasting impacts on mental, physical and emotional health and well-being. Participants were acutely aware of such disadvantages and attributed them to lack of awareness, a need for education, lack of commitment to inclusion and access, negative and bigoted attitudes (worsened by media and political discourses), and active discrimination. Conclusions: Addressing systemic discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ youth must be seen as a public health priority. LGBTQ+ youth must be included in decision-making (policy and practice) that impacts them and their health. Meanwhile, the vital sanctuary and support provided by LGBTQ+ youth groups must be bolstered to address limitations and gaps in provision due to growing public sector cuts. This is necessary to reduce or buffer the multiple intersecting inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ youth. Finally, more research is needed to fully understand the crisis of health inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ youth in England.