Supporting disabled people in the LGBTQ+ community

In March, the Labour government announced cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit.

These funds exist to help with extra costs incurred by disabilities or illness.

Cuts to these benefits will mean fewer disabled people will be able to access this support.

Higher percentages of disabled people exist within the queer community.

According to the last census, LGBTQ+ people in England and Wales were more likely to identity as disabled (28.8 per cent) than the overall population (20.1 per cent).

Noticing the issue, Peach Morris has been supporting disabled and chronically ill LGBTQ+ people in and around Bristol to access benefits.

As a disabled non-binary person themselves, they see this as a vital way to support the community.

Peach Morris has been supporting disabled and chronically ill LGBTQ+ people in and around Bristol to access benefits

Peach’s motivation is a deeply personal one. “I started grappling with the benefits system when my late partner, Finn, became too ill to work,” Peach explained.

They continued: “I didn’t realise how violent the system can be. Finn died by suicide in 2017 and one of the reasons he cited was the instability of the benefits system.”

The trauma of Finn’s death contributed to Peach developing Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and needing to apply for disability benefits themselves.

Having experienced how challenging the process is, they started supporting friends with their applications.

Peach advises on what benefits people may be entitled to, and supports them through the process of applying for PIP and Universal Credit.

Peach works on a “pay what you can basis”. So far, they have a 100 per cent success rate of helping people access some form of benefit.

“I’m specifically interested in helping queer and trans people because everything is so hostile at the moment, and I want to do what I can to help,” said Peach. “I’m not in a position where I can go to protests or donate money, so I see this as my work. And I see it as really vital.”

“If you’re queer or trans, you’re more likely to be kicked out of housing, lose your job, and face all kinds of oppression. The trauma of experiencing transphobia and homophobia can in itself cause people to develop illnesses and disabilities.”

The trauma of a loved one’s death caused Peach to develop chronic fatigue syndrome – photo: Paul Jones Photography 

Peach shares that a big part of the work they do is helping LGBTQ+ people shift their mindset to believe that they are entitled to support.

“After experiencing so much hostility in society, and being thrown scraps, it’s very difficult to convince people that they deserve to get the support they need,” said Peach.

Peach is an example of how people can thrive when they receive the support they are entitled to. “It’s because I’ve been supported by the benefit system that I was able to finish and publish my novel,” they said.

They continued, “Now that I don’t have to work every day, which made me more sick, I’ve got energy to do this.

This is a form of work that I can do and I am now paying taxes. This is how the system should work.”

Peach’s work is more important than ever, with the Government planning to cut over £5bn of disability benefits.

Peach shared that people are terrified about how these cuts will impact them.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that this is going to cause a lot of death. A lot of people have died by suicide when their benefits are cut. Or even when they’re scared of them being cut, which was the case with Finn. He couldn’t see a secure financial future,” said Peach.

It’s the belief in a better future, where disabled queer people are supported to thrive, that motivates Peach to keep going.

Peach explained: “I want to help bring people the peace of mind they need to thrive. I know that that’s not always possible under the current system, but I want to work towards that as much as I can.”

If you or someone you know needs support with PIP or Universal Credit, you can find more information at www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

Main photo: Peach Morris

Read next:

• Hundreds in Bristol back city’s trans community once more
• ‘The UK government is quietly killing disabled people’
• Living with invisible disabilities: Izzy’s Story