A recent YouGov poll found that while two-thirds of LGBTQ+ Britons say seeing the Pride flag in public makes them feel safer, the majority still feel unsafe expressing affection openly, highlighting an ongoing struggle between visibility and vulnerability in everyday life.
The study surveyed nearly 3,000 LGBTQ+ residents across the UK and found that, overall, LGBTQ+ individuals feel less safe in public than their straight counterparts. Among respondents, 67% said Pride flags in small public spaces like coffee shops provided a sense of safety, with queer women and those of other gender identities showing the strongest positive response. However, this comfort does not translate into ease with public displays of affection: large proportions of gay men and lesbian women report refraining from showing affection in public due to fears of discrimination and harassment.
Specifically, 71% of gay men and 66% of lesbian women often avoid public affection, compared to lower percentages among bisexual individuals. Gay men report particularly high levels of discomfort, with nearly a third uncomfortable hugging, over half uneasy holding hands, and almost two-thirds reluctant to kiss their partner publicly. Among lesbian women, these figures are somewhat lower but still significant. Additionally, many gay men indicated they would never kiss, hold hands with, or hug their partner in public, highlighting a stark contrast between the symbolic safety of Pride visibility and the lived reality of public vulnerability.
The poll also underscores broader insecurities faced by LGBTQ+ communities, especially trans people. Only a minority of lesbian women and transgender people ever feel fully safe walking with a partner during the day, with those figures dropping sharply at night. This reflects a broader societal challenge, with hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people continuing at worrying rates.
Government data provides a sobering backdrop: in the year ending March 2024, there were almost 23,000 hate crimes related to sexual orientation and nearly 4,800 transphobic hate crimes reported across England and Wales. While the number of transphobic crimes slightly decreased by 2% from the previous year, overall hate crimes targeting the community remain alarmingly high. In Scotland, hate crimes make up a substantial portion of police-recorded incidents, with nearly a quarter linked to sexual orientation and a smaller yet notable percentage connected to transgender identity.
The official figures, however, are widely believed to underrepresent the true extent of the problem. LGBTQ+ anti-abuse charity Galop revealed a 65% surge in the number of victims seeking support in recent years, alongside estimates that over 90% of anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes go unreported. This significant underreporting points to deep mistrust in authorities or fears that reporting will not lead to meaningful protection or justice.
Recent media reports have additionally highlighted a rise in transphobic hate crimes, with some sources noting an 11% increase in England and Wales last year, despite official government data showing a slight decline in the same period. This discrepancy may reflect regional variations or growing awareness and reporting among the community. Leading LGBTQ+ organisations have sounded alarms about the sharp rise in hate crimes, particularly against trans people where offenses have reportedly increased by double digits in the last year and anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes overall doubling in the past five years. These organisations criticise a lack of effective government response, calling for urgent action to improve protections and support frameworks for LGBTQ+ individuals.
This body of evidence paints a challenging picture for LGBTQ+ people in the UK who navigate a public sphere where symbols of pride coexist uneasily with fears of harassment. While the presence of Pride flags offers some comfort and a sign of community solidarity, it does not eliminate the very real risks involved in everyday expressions of love and identity, especially for queer women, gay men, and transgender individuals.
Source: Noah Wire Services
