This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1j5492z79eo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Warwickshire LGBTQIA+ people asked to share end of life stories Warwickshire LGBTQ+ people asked to share end of life stories
(31 minutes later)
The project is led by Prof Michele Aaron, who specialises in film and television studiesThe project is led by Prof Michele Aaron, who specialises in film and television studies
A new film project will share the stories of people in the LGBTQIA+ community who are facing the end of their lives, with the aim of improving the support available to them. A new film project will share the stories of people in the LGBTQ+ community who are facing the end of their lives, with the aim of improving the support available to them.
The project, funded by the University of Warwick, is looking for participants to share their experiences.The project, funded by the University of Warwick, is looking for participants to share their experiences.
The project lead, Prof Michele Aaron, said LGBTQIA+ people were often reluctant to access end-of-life care and bereavement services because they feared discrimination. The project lead, Prof Michele Aaron, said LGBTQ+ people were often reluctant to access end-of-life care and bereavement services because they feared discrimination.
"This project is all about harnessing the power of film to bring these really important stories into the world," she said."This project is all about harnessing the power of film to bring these really important stories into the world," she said.
Prof Aaron, who previously worked on another series of films about people affected by terminal illness, said there was a lack of films depicting the reality of death - even more so for LGBTQIA+ people. Prof Aaron, who previously worked on another series of films about people affected by terminal illness, said there was a lack of films depicting the reality of death - even more so for LGBTQ+ people.
"Hollywood tells us it's painless; it's white; it's heroic; it's straight."Hollywood tells us it's painless; it's white; it's heroic; it's straight.
"And we don't have truthful, honest depictions of everyday LGBT experience in the world. We have sensationalist or exceptional stories."And we don't have truthful, honest depictions of everyday LGBT experience in the world. We have sensationalist or exceptional stories.
"But what we're looking at is real-life stories.""But what we're looking at is real-life stories."
Helen Juffs said some people were reluctant to access care because of the need to come out to staff or other patientsHelen Juffs said some people were reluctant to access care because of the need to come out to staff or other patients
The project is a collaboration between the university, queer film-maker El Jones, and the charity Compassionate Communities UK.The project is a collaboration between the university, queer film-maker El Jones, and the charity Compassionate Communities UK.
Support for those taking part will be provided by Helen Juffs, an end-of-life doula who offers spiritual and emotional guidance to those dealing with a terminal diagnosis, who herself identifies as queer.Support for those taking part will be provided by Helen Juffs, an end-of-life doula who offers spiritual and emotional guidance to those dealing with a terminal diagnosis, who herself identifies as queer.
She said people from the LGBTQIA+ community were often reluctant to go into institutions such as hospices because of the need to come out to fellow patients or medical staff. She said people from the LGBTQ+ community were often reluctant to go into institutions such as hospices because of the need to come out to fellow patients or medical staff.
She described a gay woman in her 90s who was afraid well-meaning staff might pressure her to conform to feminine standards by offering to paint her nails or style her hair.She described a gay woman in her 90s who was afraid well-meaning staff might pressure her to conform to feminine standards by offering to paint her nails or style her hair.
"Your identity doesn't change just because you're dying," she said. "You're still from that community and you still need to be respected and treated accordingly.""Your identity doesn't change just because you're dying," she said. "You're still from that community and you still need to be respected and treated accordingly."
'Incredibly powerful''Incredibly powerful'
Ms Juffs said LGBTQIA+ people also risked being subject to so-called microaggressions. Ms Juffs said LGBTQ+ people also risked being subject to so-called microaggressions.
"It might only be a tiny thing in somebody else's mind, like assuming that you've got a husband if you're a woman, assuming that the person who visits you all the time is your brother or sister because they're the same sex as you," she explained."It might only be a tiny thing in somebody else's mind, like assuming that you've got a husband if you're a woman, assuming that the person who visits you all the time is your brother or sister because they're the same sex as you," she explained.
"It's the raft of microaggressions that really make life uncomfortable in institutions.""It's the raft of microaggressions that really make life uncomfortable in institutions."
One of the participants is Trevor Yellon, a GP who struggled to find suitable bereavement support after losing his husband, Drew, to cancer in 2023.One of the participants is Trevor Yellon, a GP who struggled to find suitable bereavement support after losing his husband, Drew, to cancer in 2023.
"I needed someone who could understand why, as a gay man, some elements of my loss felt different and difficult - and I wasn't able to do that," said Dr Yellon."I needed someone who could understand why, as a gay man, some elements of my loss felt different and difficult - and I wasn't able to do that," said Dr Yellon.
"This project... will not only create awareness of the needs of LGBTQIA+ communities at end-of-life and during bereavement, but also give insight into our real lives, our monogamous, committed long-term relationships, and our care, love and grief." "This project... will not only create awareness of the needs of LGBTQ+ communities at end-of-life and during bereavement, but also give insight into our real lives, our monogamous, committed long-term relationships, and our care, love and grief."
"It's incredibly powerful to share your story and have your voice heard," added Prof Aaron."It's incredibly powerful to share your story and have your voice heard," added Prof Aaron.
"But here specifically, the voice can then be heard by people who really need to hear it.""But here specifically, the voice can then be heard by people who really need to hear it."
Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.