YouGov research finds LGBTQ+ Britons feel less safe in public than straight counterparts
– 1 min read
New research from YouGov has revealed that LGBTQ+ Britons are significantly less likely to feel safe in public spaces than their heterosexual peers, with many avoiding public displays of affection due to fear of abuse.
The findings show that while the Pride flag provides a sense of reassurance for many queer individuals, it does not fully offset the broader concerns around safety. Nearly two-thirds (67%) of LGBTQ+ Britons say that seeing the Pride flag displayed in small public settings - such as cafés or outside homes - makes them feel safer. This sentiment is especially strong among women (75%) and those with a different gender identity, such as non-binary people (79%).
Despite this, the data paints a stark picture of daily life for many queer Britons. A majority of gay men (71%) and lesbian women (66%) report having refrained from showing affection in public due to fear of homophobic abuse. These fears are not unfounded: around two-thirds of both groups say they have experienced discrimination while being affectionate with a partner in public, with nearly half saying it occurred within the past five years.
As a result, LGBTQ+ individuals - particularly gay men - are far less likely to engage in public displays of affection. While only 9% of straight people say they feel uncomfortable holding hands with a partner in public, this rises to 56% among gay men. Similarly, 63% of gay men say they would feel uncomfortable kissing their partner in public, compared to just 21-34% of straight respondents.
The disparity extends to actual behaviour: 40% of gay men say they never hold hands with their partner in public, and 42% say they never kiss them - figures far higher than those reported by straight or lesbian respondents.
The research also highlights that lesbian women are particularly likely to feel unsafe when out with a partner. Only 36% say they “never” feel unsafe walking with their partner during the day, dropping to just 10% at night. Trans Britons also report lower levels of safety, with only 35% saying they never feel unsafe walking with a partner in daylight - compared to 63% of cisgender heterosexual Britons.
