Why I’m Proud to Be the LGBTQIA+ Sanctuary Support Worker

As the new LGBTQIA+ Sanctuary Support Worker at Behind Closed Doors, I feel proud and hopeful as I step into this role. Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of identity or background, but for LGBTQIA+ survivors, the barriers to accessing support are often higher and more complex. My role exists to help change that. 

Challenges LGBTQIA+ survivors face 

Many LGBTQIA+ people in domestic abuse situations live with the fear of being judged, discriminated against, or simply not being believed when they disclose abuse. Some worry that services won’t understand their experiences or that their relationships will be dismissed as “not serious enough.” Others face forms of abuse that are specific to LGBTQIA+ relationships — such as threats to “out” them before they’re ready, being isolated from supportive communities, or having access to medication and gender-affirming healthcare controlled by a partner. For some, especially those estranged from their biological families, fear of losing support from their chosen family can make the impact of abuse feel even more isolating.  

All of these factors make it incredibly difficult to ask for help. Survivors may feel invisible, or that there isn’t a safe place where they can be themselves and talk honestly about what they’re going through.  

Why my role exists 

My role was created to make sure that LGBTQIA+ survivors know there is a safe place. When someone comes to me, they will be met with empathy, validation, and support that recognises who they are and what they need. They won’t have to explain or justify their identity before talking about their experiences, and they won’t have to worry about not being taken seriously. 

This post is part of the Sanctuary Support Team within Leeds Domestic Violence Service, which works across the city to provide safety, housing security, and emotional support for people experiencing abuse. Being embedded in this team means I can draw on a wealth of expertise and resources, while also ensuring that the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ survivors are fully recognised and addressed. 

I bring over a decade of experience working with the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as being part of it. This combination gives me both professional insight and a personal connection that I hope will help people feel understood from the first contact. My aim is to bring insight to provide support that is practical, emotional, and affirming; from helping people navigate housing and healthcare, to simply being a consistent person who listens and reassures. Most of all, I want every LGBTQIA+ survivor who reaches out to feel safe, understood, and never alone. 

Breaking down wider barriers 

This role is also about looking at the bigger picture. Too often, LGBTQIA+ survivors are overlooked in the way services are designed or delivered. Part of my work will be about challenging those gaps, sharing knowledge, and building stronger connections with other organisations so that inclusivity isn’t just an add-on, but a core part of support services. 

By raising awareness and strengthening partnerships, I hope to help ensure that LGBTQIA+ survivors don’t fall through the cracks, and that every professional they encounter is equipped to respond with respect and understanding. 

My hopes for the role 

For me, being the LGBTQIA+ Sanctuary Support Worker is about more than providing support — it’s about hope, visibility, and change. My hope is that this role will make a real difference to LGBTQIA+ survivors, not only by offering direct support but also by helping to build service pathways where their identities are respected and their experiences recognised. 

I’m proud to be part the Behind Closed Doors team that values inclusion and understands the importance of dedicated LGBTQIA+ support. Together, we can help break down barriers, challenge stigma, and create services where everyone — no matter their identity — can find safety, dignity, and healing at the heart of every service.