LGBTQIA+ Covid-19 & Coronavirus Survival Guide
I hope this finds my community safe and well.
This time is difficult for all of us as we individually and communally are self-isolating. As this situation progresses it is bringing more challenges to our LGBTQIA+ community as some charities have now opted to close down services during this pandemic. I have compiled this list of things you can do during lockdown to keep yourself busy and provide yourself some self-care.
Our community is now needing to develop coping mechanisms during this time, and a lot of our community find isolation and loneliness really difficult to cope, so it is really key that we support each other to get through this as a community. I hope the list below helps:
Breathe - Slow down and tune into your body and how you are breathing. This will help you regulate your nervous system as being locked in is stressful for all of us. If you do go for a walk then look around you as you are walking, name what you see such as a tree, a blue sky, flowers etc… This will slow your walking down and calm your breathing.
Emotional Well-Being - Look after your mental health and it will look after you. Mind, the national mental health charity, has provided this information for looking after your well-being during this period.
Mutual Aid - The Outside Project has set up a LGBTIQ+ community shelter and centre, a grassroots project led by queer ex-homeless, homelessness professionals, community and activists. The Outside Project has up a London LGBTIQ+ Mutual Aid group which has daily updates of events, services and volunteers offering support for their neighbours.
It is good to talk - Self - isolate does not mean you can’t communicate with those you trust and that understand you. If you are struggling with self-isolation it is good to reach out and get support from friends or family.
Alcohol – drinking in moderation can do you no harm. Drinking too much can make you feel more stressed and can lower your immune system which can make you more susceptible to illnesses.
Drug use and ChemSex – the government have told us that we should stay home to protect ourselves. Then this may be the time that we choose to have a break from ChemSex and other sexual activities. Antidote, at London Friend an LGBT+ charity that offers support to those facing issues around drugs and alcohol issued this guidance.
Exercise – we are all allowed to have one piece of exercise a day. You can do this on your own or in a group there are many to choose from. There are lots of apps and information online. If you don’t normally like physical exercise there are dance classes or more experiential dance classes such as 5 Rhythms and Freedom Dance that allow for a more embodied dance experience.
Sleep - Get a good night’s sleep – sleeping is really important as it supports your to recover and fight off viruses. The Sleep Council provided the new sleep hygiene guidelines.
Diet - Have a balanced healthy diet and this will boost your immune system. Guidance from The British Dietic Association, the UK Association of UK Dieticians says no supplement will prevent you catching Covid-19 / coronavirus. See their Fact Sheet for more information about keeping a healthy diet.
Sex – there is various guidance around intimacy, sex and sexual health during the coronavirus pandemic. We have been advised as corona virus can affect all of us it is best not to hook up with casual partners during corona virus. This may be a time where we may need to find different ways of giving ourselves pleasure such as through using sex toys or developing our masturbation skills. Terrence Higgins Trust, the national sexual health and HIV charity, has provided more information around hooking up during coronavirus.
Develop a New Skill – as we are all in self isolation and as we get used to a life online, it is a great opportunity to develop a new skill or work on that project that you have never managed to get started. As a friend said to me it is a great time to start that Masters or PHD. Get Crafty & Get Writing – in times of stress using the arts or creative writing as a means to release the stress of living through a pandemic can be good for our emotional wellbeing. I would suggest two books that provide really good exercises that you can work through with friends or family members: Writing Down the Bones – freeing the writer within, written by Natalie Goldberg, Shambhala Publisher, 2005. Steering the Craft, written by Ursula K. Le Guin, The Eighth Mountain Press, 1998.
Transgender and Non-Binary community - CliniQ has put a great list together of services and information for the Transgender and Non-Binary community. You can find this on the CliniQ Facebook page.
Stay well, stay home and stay connected – remember to reach out to those who may need support and for your own self care too! Hopefully we can battle through this pandemic together!