EATING DISORDERS TRAINING FOR UK’S OLDEST LGBTQ+ CHARITY

On 7th October 2024, Dr Chuks, Director of Club Majority, offered free training for volunteers at London Friend, the oldest LBGTQ+ charity in the UK. The volunteers consisted of counsellors, drug and alcohol support workers and social and support group facilitators.

The session was titled: Improving awareness and care of eating disorders/disordered eating in the LGBTQIA+community.

It highlighted key issues that exist within the LGBTQ+ community including minority stress (chronically high levels of stress experienced by stigmatised minority groups including discrimination, prejudice, harassment, rejection, systematic disadvantages, microaggressions, abuse, lack of support and estrangement), homophobia (internalised and external), unique ideals and experiences related to sexuality, gender identity, and gender dysphoria.​

Evidence suggests that discrimination and rejection (such as is experienced in the LGBTQ+ community) is linked to depression, anxiety and eating disorders (pariseay et al., 2019).​ Therefore it was important in this session to discuss risks, strategies and coping mechanisms.

There was then Q&A at the end which covered illicit drugs, and practical advice on what to ask people experiencing difficulties with eating and their bodies.

“I think the first time I ever remember feeling overwhelming pressure though, was in my 20s; pressure to hide my sexuality. The stereotype at the time was that gay men were camp and feminine. Growing up, none of my heroes were gay – my dad wasn’t, Derek Bevan (my refereeing hero) wasn’t and nor was Phil Bennett (my rugby hero). And so me being gay was something I felt was worth hiding. On the odd occasion, I secretly arranged to meet people that I’d been talking to online. Sometimes we’d go to the gay clubs, where I’d get to feel what freedom felt like for the night. But the limited time I had made it hard for people to get to know the real me, and the chances of actually meeting someone felt few and far between.​ Also, the scene was very much looks-based. People would fancy you based on your looks. The ‘fit’ ones would be attractive, not the ‘bigger’ ones” - Nigel Owens in Eating Disorders Don’t Discriminate