DIVA media group, along with The Advocate, and Kantar, have released the findings from a new survey of LGBTQ+ women. The answers were received prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, so they give a good indication of what women were feeling during relative “normal” times. In all, they managed to get over 1,400 responses to the survey, proving to be the largest piece of research of LGBTQ+ women to date. Now, as Lesbian Visibility Week begins, DIVA has released the survey results, and some might surprise you.
DIVA Survey results
The results from the survey revealed that 43% suffer from stress and anxiety and 35% suffer from mental health-related issues. Below are some further insights from the study:
Safety: LGBTQI women feel safest at home, and report experiences of feeling anxious and unsafe in public spaces, partially resulting from past experiences.
The workplace: Overall findings indicate that LGBTQI women face several struggles in the workplace, including not feeling emotionally supported at work, feeling ‘othered’ within the workplace culture, being surrounded by non-inclusive language, and being a ‘minority within a minority’ within a male-dominated and heteronormative environment.
Family: Among those with children, 36% claim to have experienced homophobia from other parents and 36% claim their children have been victims of homophobia due to their parents’ sexual orientation.
LGBTQI Spaces: 79% of LGBTQI women feel that gay men have more visibility than they do. Many LGBTQI women feel that there are not enough events for them, with 1 in 3 claiming that there are not enough LGBTQI events aimed at their interests and that this was a barrier to them attending LGBTQI events.
Coming out: The research shows generational shifts around coming of age and coming out. 52% of LGBTQI women came out aged 19 or older, while 29% came out under the age of 18.
Gender Identity: There are disparities between the experiences of transgender women and their cisgender counterparts across the themes explored, this was more apparent when asked about work and safety in public spaces.
Throughout the week, notable LGBTQ+ women will be giving online performances, talks, and programs. DIVA also released their Visible Lesbian 100 List, which celebrates women who have been helping the LGBTQ+ community, especially women who love women.
