June is Pride month – a month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual or Questioning) communities all around the world
Carers UK recently published The Caring About Equality report during Carers Week (9–15 June), with a dedicated section exploring the experiences of Carers from the LGBTQ+ community. Their findings show that Carers who identify as LGBTQ+ often face unique challenges when it comes to accessing support, maintaining wellbeing, and feeling seen.
What the Research Tells Us
The report found that:
- 52% of LGB+ current and former Carers said they had developed or seen a deterioration in their mental or physical health since starting their caring role, compared to 42% of heterosexual Carers.
- LGB+ Carers were more likely to face disadvantages across multiple areas including finances, education, career progression, and taking essential breaks from caring.
Experiences Compared:
| Category | Heterosexual Carers (%) | LGB+ Carers (%) |
| Reduced social life due to caring | 39% | 25% |
| Reduced working hours to care | 20% | 13% |
| Struggled to look after health & wellbeing | 32% | 37% |
| Gave up job due to caring | 11% | 19% |
| Disadvantages – Finances | 47% | 52% |
| Disadvantages – Staying in work/career | 39% | 49% |
| Disadvantages – Education/qualifications | 27% | 33% |
| Disadvantages – Ability to take breaks | 59% | 69% |
| Disadvantages – Look after their own health & wellbeing | 57% | 66% |
| Want more financial support from Government | 44% | 39% |
| Want more breaks from caring | 39% | 24% |
| Want more time for own health & wellbeing | 37% | 34% |
| Want more access to affordable social care | 37% | 47% |
| Health condition worsened/developed post-caring | 42% | 52% |
| Postponed/cancelled own health appointments | 35% | 14% |
Tony Collins-Moore, Carers Academy Manager at Carers Centre Tower Hamlets views align to Carers UK’s report, “Opportunities for care and support, housing or supported care can be fewer and daunting due to prejudices and a lack of understanding.”
“Fear Shapes Our Lives” – Why Some LGBTQ+ Carers Remain Hidden
Even recognising oneself as a Carer can feel like an additional label or identity to navigate.
Craig Pollard, who cares for his husband Alex, shared:
“You take a long time to find your identity as an LGBT person. You know, it takes years, even now, like I’m 35 and still feel like who am I in the grand scheme of things.”
Fear can play a powerful role too. In an interview with the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Angela, a trans woman said:
“Our lives have been based around fear, fear of being discriminated against, prejudiced. Fear from abuse, whether that’s verbal or indeed physical abuse that’s shaped our lives and shaped our perception of most things in the public arena. ……Many of us would gladly not go and seek those services that we might otherwise need for our health and mental wellbeing and for our social care.
Craig echoed these concerns:
“We have struggled to feel like we can take up space. First of all being LGBT, we often don’t feel that safe in certain spaces, public transport we’ve had trouble on once or twice in the past, so you’re always a bit uneasy. With moving into being more visibly disabled and needing more accessible requirements, that’s something we’ve to discuss and manage.”
Join Our LGBTQ+ Carers Focus Group
At Forward Carers, we want to ensure every Carer feels seen, heard and valued—especially those whose experiences may not often be reflected in mainstream services. If you identify as LGBTQ+ and are providing unpaid care to a partner, child, family member or friend, we would love to hear from you.
Why join?
- Share your lived experience to help shape more inclusive Carer support.
- Help us understand barriers and solutions from your perspective.
- Receive a £20 high street voucher as a thank you.
The session will take place in an LGBTQ+ friendly space—location to be confirmed based on participants’ preferences. Timing is flexible, and we will do our best to accommodate your availability.
Interested?
Please get in touch:
📧 bernie.huntingdon@forwardcarers.org.uk
📱 Call or text 07535 737 505
Let’s work together to ensure every Carer—regardless of identity—can access support that reflects their needs.
