HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a campaign today against homophobia within families.  The ‘Family Matters’ campaign is targeted primarily at mothers and aims to highlight how homophobia can harm the whole family.

When a child is excluded from the family or exposed to anti-gay hostility they are more likely to experience depression, self harm or attempt suicide. Education can suffer and there is potential for loss of contact between the child and the family.  Homophobia can also lead to low self esteem, a factor that can influence sexual risk taking and the likelihood of acquiring HIV.

The campaign specifically targets mothers as they frequently act as a catalyst for change within a family.  Mothers might also be able to build bridges between gay children and other family members who are struggling to accept the situation.

Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said “Having a son or daughter come out as gay can be shocking or worrying, but there is support out there.  By helping families cope, talk and avoid friction we hope to reduce the physical and mental damage that can be caused by estrangement.  Keeping the family together is what matters.”

The new campaign includes advertising in women’s magazines and a website www.tht.org.uk/familymatters as well as confidential support via THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200.  Terrence Higgins Trust is working with FFLAG (Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays) on the campaign. FFLAG is dedicated to supporting parents and their gay, lesbian or bisexual sons and daughters. It can also put parents in touch with local parents support groups. 

The Family Matters campaign is funded by the Department of Health as part of the CHAPS programme.

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For further information please contact Sally Sharpe on 020 7812 1625 or Lucy Handford on 020 7812 1623.

Notes to editors

• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services across England, Wales and Scotland.  The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual ill health.
  
• The campaign was pre-tested with parents who have no connection to the gay community. It was developed as part of the England wide CHAPS programme by THT in partnership with GMFA, Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Yorkshire MESMAC, Trade Men's Sexual Health Project, the Armistead Project, Sheffield Centre for HIV and Sexual Health, the Eddystone Trust, and Sigma Research