Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, many vulnerable LGBTQ people around the world are being forced to move back into unsafe domestic spaces. The crisis has created an unprecedented situation.

Beyond the obvious issues around income, housing and food, LGBTQ people are significantly more susceptible to mental health issues due to discrimination and inequalities. For those LGBTQ people moving back into unsafe spaces where they have to either go “back in the closet” or remain silent about their sexuality, the loss of being able to socialise with supportive queer friends and allies is very concerning.

Gyms closed, social distancing in place and working from home? Things we can also be mindful of and do at home is a COVID 19 workout!

Photo: Volunteers spray disinfectant in the gay Itaewon district of Seoul after a cluster of cases linked to its nightclubs. Yonhap/EPA

Gay Korea: homophobia sparked by Seoul coronavirus cluster driven by Protestant right.

The Korean LGBTQ+ community knew to prepare for an anti-gay onslaught after it emerged that a person with an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection had been partying in Itaewon, a gay nightlife district in the South Korean capital, Seoul. The community is used to being shamed for just living their lives or blamed for spreading disease.

Pride events around the globe are being cancelled due to COVID-19. Famous events like Amsterdam Pride, Trans Pride Scotland and LA Leather Pride are just three out of hundreds of events that have already been cancelled due to concerns about community health, travel restrictions and economic woes.

The United Nations has urged countries to protect LGBT+ people against discrimination when seeking health care during the pandemic, saying they may be hesitant to seek medical services and be especially vulnerable to the coronavirus.