Results from the government’s National LGBT Survey show that LGBT people are less satisfied with their lives than the rest of the general UK population. In response, the government has created an action plan, to tackle some of the major issues raised by LGBT people in the survey.

For instance, the plan pledges to put a stop to gay conversion therapies – a process intended to “treat” or “reprogramme” homosexual feelings with a mixture of psychotherapy and prayer. While it’s great news that this abhorrent and damaging process is being banned, the report also highlights other challenges facing LGBT people, including some “simple things heterosexual people take for granted”.

This has been echoed in my own ongoing research on the life stories of LGBTQ women in the UK. Often very mundane, everyday things can set you apart, make you cautious or force you to hide your true self.

Minor events, major impacts

One big surprise (to straight people at least) is that over two thirds of LGBT people avoid holding hands in public. A simple expression of love and belonging is abandoned to save hassle and dodge confrontation. Read more via the Conversation