B ritain is proud to be viewed as an accepting and inclusive nation, never better seen than during its annual Pride celebrations. Yet support must be year round in order to make positive changes in laws and attitudes to ensure the country is an inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive. In an election year in which trans issues continue to be weaponised in politics in an attempt to win votes, LGBT+ inclusive sex education has become yet another polarising issue, along with the ongoing discourse around toilet use.
And earlier in the year, horrific details of the tragic and disturbing murder of 16-year-old trans teen Brianna Ghey pushed the issue into full view for everyone to see. Sobering figures from Stonewal l reveal almost half of young LGBT+ people have thought about trying to take their own life, they are also twice as likely to suffer bullying, anxiety and other mental health issues. Key cultural queer moments of the past 12 months include the EastEnders storyline with Zack Hudson.
The soap worked with the Terrence Higgins Trust to update the public’s knowledge that people on effective HIV treatment cannot pass the virus on. The BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing also had its second male same-sex dancing couple competing on the show, and they even came joint second. Previous annual lists have included the likes of Suzy Eddie Izzard, Dame Kelly Holmes, Miriam Margolyes and Gok Wan.
Their omission from this year’s list is not to say they’re no longer valued in t.
