A major new national campaign aimed at tackling rising levels of suicide, loneliness and drug-related harm within LGBTQ+ communities has been launched across the UK.
The Silence Ends with Us, is led by the non-profit You Are Loved and is combining a nationwide theatre tour, digital outreach and a new support platform designed to connect people with vital services.
As we reported earlier this year, the project comes at a critical moment. Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that LGBTQ+ individuals are significantly more likely to die by suicide or drug-related causes than their heterosexual counterparts. Additional research conducted by You Are Loved found that one in three queer respondents described their drug use as problematic, with many reporting the loss of someone close to substance-related death.
At the centre of the campaign is a national tour in partnership with SMOKE, a queer comic-thriller written by the incredible Alexis Gregory. The tour began last week with 5 performances at the Omnibus Theatre, London and is now moving to cities across England. Each event features a one-hour performance followed by a panel discussion with local organisations and campaigners, addressing themes such as addiction, mental health and isolation.
At the Hastings event on Tuesday 28th April, the panel will be joined by The Forward Trust’s Inclusion Coordinator and Drug and Alcohol Practitioner Darren Lacey.
Alongside the tour, the campaign is launching “Ask Bobby”, a national LGBTQ+ support directory designed to make it easier for individuals to find relevant services, from mental health support to community groups. The platform is named in memory of Robin Windsor, whose death was recently ruled a suicide by a coroner. The directory also includes an AI-assisted tool to help users identify support tailored to their needs.
The campaign has also begun a UK-wide partnership with Grindr, aimed at reaching LGBTQ+ audiences directly through digital spaces.
You Are Loved founder Marc Svensson tells us more about the campaign in this video.
Upcoming tour dates
White Rock Theatre, Hastings - 28 April
Ironworks, Brighton - 30 April
Theatre Royal, Norwich - 9 May
The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol - 12 May
ARK, Margate - 14 May
The Lowry, Salford - 21 May
Truck, Hull - 4 June
Lighthouse, Poole - 12 June
Playhouse, Nottingham - 20 June