“Have yourselves a merry little Christmas, make the Yuletide gay,” so goes the famous festive song. However, in reality, Christmas can be far from merry. It’s often a tough time for many – especially those of us in the LGBT+ community. And far from being “gay”, the “Yuletide” season can feel extremely straight!
Whether it’s the pressure of buying and choosing gifts, or spending time in close quarters with relatives, research has shown that Christmas gets listed among the top 10 “most stressful life events” for the general public; up there with divorce, losing a job, or moving house.
Now, before you think I’ve become a total Scrooge and only have negative things to say about it, let me assure you that I love Christmas. It has huge significance for me spiritually. Plus, I adore twinkly fairy lights and the excuse to eat chocolate in vast quantities while watching Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings box sets on repeat.