From the North: The challenges facing Asians in the LGBT+ community

In this episode of From The North, we discuss the issue of homophobia faced by some LGBT+ members of the Asian Community.

Nearly half of young LGBT+ people who are left homeless after coming out are from religious backgrounds - with strict interpretations of texts like the Bible and the Koran being used incorrectly to argue being gay is a sin.

For many in the Asian Community the fear of stigma or rejection from family leads them to hide their true self and in extreme cases turn to alcoholism, drugs and even suicide,ITV’s Sarah Rogers is joined by Lucky Roy Singh a drag queen who has written a book about his experience of being gay and from a Sikh Indian background and Matt Mahmood-Ogston whose fiance Naz took his own life after coming out to his family.

If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can find help and support at:

Naz & Matt Foundation: https://www.nazandmattfoundation.org/The Albert Kennedy Trust: https://www.akt.org.uk/

Samaritans - Call 116 123 Email jo@samaritans.org

Papyrus – for people under 35 Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 5pm Text 07786 209697 Email pat@papyrus-uk.org

You can also listen to From the North as a podcast, available on:• Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2HzRAh2• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Yfv2Y4