As part of this LGBT+ History month we’re launching our Your Story Matters campaign. Here we talk to our Chair, Dr Alex Rhys, about why sharing your It Gets Better message is as important as ever, and how you can get involved.
1) What do you enjoy most about LGBT+ History month?
LGBT+ History month is always a highlight of mine every February. It gives an opportunity to learn more about aspects of our community and the journey we’ve been on to get us to where we are today. In particular, I love seeing the photos and videos of the past, seeing people being their true and authentic selves at a time when that took even more bravery than it does today.
Whilst that reflection shows how far we’ve come as a community, we can’t take that for granted, and I see LGBT+ History month as a galvanising point each year in why it’s so important we keep pushing for equality.
Alex (Right) with his husband and fellow Trustee Hefin (left) at Pride in London
2) Why did you establish It Gets Better UK?
I remember vividly the day that Stonewall published their ‘School Report’ in 2017 having done some research with LGBTQ+ youth. Two findings resonated with me, and for the days and weeks to come I couldn’t shake them:
More than four in five young trans people have self-harmed, as have three in five lesbian, gay and bi young people who aren’t trans
More than two in five young trans people have attempted to take their own life, and one in five lesbian, gay and bi students who aren’t trans have done the same
These findings took me back to my own journey of discovering my sexuality, of the feelings of isolation I had experienced, and of being different than everyone else. I was the only out person in an all-boys school, and LGBTQ+ representation wasn’t really a thing in the media, with self-harm being regrettably part of my own journey.
Seeing in black and white that things 12 years after I’d first come out were no different inspired me onwards, and that I wanted the experiences of current LGBTQ+ youth to be so much different, and to communicate that it does get better.
I therefore pulled together a group of friends to establish the UK arm of the global It Gets Better Project to tell those inspiring, empowering and uplifting messages of our community.
At It Gets Better UK, we're part of the global It Gets Better Project which envisions a world where all LGBTQ+ youth are free to live equally and know their worthiness and power as individuals. Our global mission is to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe.
3) Why should people share their stories?
Every person has their own unique story, and they are important and powerful. Your history, your words, your message can genuinely change the lives of thousands of people, and we hope you'll share your own It Gets Better story.
I’ve seen people at Pride events shed tears of happiness when they see our stalls, and take the time to come over and share the impact that the It Gets Better movement has had on their own journey of self-acceptance.
However, we still have a way to go. Here in the UK, research published by Just Like Us in November 2021 showed that:
LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to contemplate suicide
LGBTQ+ youth are three times more likely to self harm (31% have self harmed)
LGBTQ+ young people are twice as likely to have depression, anxiety and panic attacks
68% of LGBTQ+ young people say their mental health has ‘got worse’ since the pandemic
Through storytelling and sharing the stories of members of the LGBTQ+ community we hope to inspire, empower and uplift LGBTQ+ youth.
By recording your own It Gets Better story you can help us combat those statistics. These don't need to be professionally recorded, simply done on a phone they can feel very personal and impactful. Be part of history.
Thank you for considering sharing your story.
If you'd like some more information on what to talk about in the video, then we hope this information will help - here.
We hope you'd like to get involved and share your story - if you have any questions then you can contact us or you can submit your video here.