LGBT+ people are sharing pics of their best selves during quarantine
- Reasons to be cheerful: #LGBTQuarantine is trending.
LGBT+ people have often spent a lifetime becoming their true selves and they are not going to let coronavirus stop them.
Millions of people around the world are staying at home to stop the pandemic spreading. And now #LGBTQuarantine is trending.
It shows LGBT+ people who are still determined to look their best and be themselves despite having to stay home.
Some LGBT+ people are struggling during coronavirus, including people who are closeted or in a household where they are not safe to be themselves.
However, for some self-isolation has even been an unlikely moment of liberation.
Twitter user @ccruelsummerr said: ‘I would just like to use this week’s tag to officially come out as a lesbian! Fuck homophobia for making me resent that label for so long. I’m not attracted to men. I am a fuckin lesbian! And it’s so freeing to finally say that!’
Meanwhile @thiccdeedee shared: ‘So this Sungay [Sunday] is very special because I finally came out to my mom.’
Others have used quarantine as a chance to try a new makeup routine or hairstyle, to grow a beard, shave off a beard or experiment with fashion.
Be yourself, even in lockdown
At the moment, the #LGBTQuarantine tag is dominated by younger LGBT+ people. However, it is attracting all genders and races.
Here are some of the photos:
Staying safe curing COVID-19
LGBT+ organizations have issued useful advice on staying safe and healthy during the coronavirus pandemic.
In particular, they are advising against sex as it spreads the virus. However, sex with someone you are self-isolating with is much safer, providing neither of you have COVID-19 symptoms. You can find out more about sex and COVID-19 here.
Meanwhile, there’s more advice for HIV positive people about coronavirus here.
And there’s general coronavirus health advice for all LGBT+ people here. This includes links to advice for people with cancer and to LGBT+ supportive medical services in the US.
LGBT+ people are more likely to struggle with poor mental health. But there is help if you just reach out. You can find a list of LGBT+ resources and helplines all around the world here. Please note, some of the helplines may have different operating hours during the pandemic.