As the effects of Coronavirus has taken their tolls on everyone, we tend to forgot about the LGBTQ+ youth who were already struggling at home beforehand.

The experiences of LGBTQ+ people of the Covid-19 pandemic vary immensely. Some have been forced to return to families who don't accept them, where as others have even had to put their medical transitions on hold. However, others have found themselves being accepted in their homes after going through months of bonding with their families. 

Sorrowfully, many LGBTQ+ people have also viewed discrimination within the healthcare system during the COVID-19 outbreak . According to Stonewall, a LGBTQ+ charity, on average:

Half of LGBTQ+ people said they’ve experienced depression. 

Nearly two-thirds of bi women and just over half of bi men have experienced anxiety.

One in eight LGBTQ+ people have experienced some form of unequal treatment from healthcare staff because they’re LGBT+.

Almost one in four LGBTQ+ people have witnessed discriminatory or negative remarks against LGBT people by healthcare staff.

One in twenty LGBTQ+ people have been pressured to access services to question or change their sexual orientation when accessing healthcare services. While one in five trans people have been pressured to access services to suppress their gender identity.

One in seven LGBTQ+ people have avoided treatment for fear of discrimination because they’re LGBTQ+.

And thats only in the past year. Plus, with an extreme lack of mental health support this year, we've sadly seen a rise in self-harm and suicide attempts in LGBTQ+ youth (More than four in five trans young people have self-harmed, and three in five lesbian, gay and bi have also self harmed this year and more than two in five trans young people have attempted to take their own life, as have one in five lesbian, gay and bi students in the past year). 

So, make sure to support those you love, whether they are part of the LGBTQ+ community or not. Do simple things, such as compliment them, as even the little things can brighten someones day. And if someone in your family/friend group comes out of the closet, be supportive because they might already be going through many things in their life, and you supporting them can make things a lot easier for them.