Following OnTheWight’s report last week that Breakout Youth has lost its funding from the Isle of Wight Council, Maria shares this news on behalf of the Isle of Wight Constituency Labour Party. Ed
The Isle of Wight Council has announced that it will withdraw funding from “Breakout Youth”, an organisation supporting young LGBTQ+ people.
Research by Stonewall shows that LGBTQ+ young people are particularly vulnerable:
- Nearly half of LGBT young people are bullied at school – that’s 45 per cent
- The number of LGBT people who have experienced a hate crime or incident in the last year because of their sexual orientation has risen by 78 per cent since 2013
- Nearly half (48 per cent) of trans people under 26 said they had attempted suicide, and 30 per cent said they had done so in the past year, while 59 per cent said they had at least considered doing so
- More than two in five trans young people have attempted to take their own life, as have one in five lesbian, gay and bi students who aren’t trans
Chair of Newport Labour, Maria Villa-Vine, said:
“I have worked closely with Michael Salmon from ‘Breakout Youth’ and have witnessed the importance of the support and lifeline that ‘Breakout Youth’ gives to young people who identify as LGBTQ+.
“I am appalled to think that, in the year that the Island hosts UK Pride 2018, this vital service will lose its funding.
“Surely we need to be investing in young people’s well-being for a healthier, happier society? I implore the council, on behalf of our LGBTQ+ young people, to reconsider their decision.”
