<div class="fr-view"><p>Hoildays are an opportunity to pause and spend time with the people we love, and take more time to do the things we love, like sit our pyjamas and watch <em>The Muppet Christmas Carol</em>. But when you&#8217;re queer, sometimes the holidays can be a bit stressful, in ways that it isn&#8217;t for cisgender/straight people.</p>
<p>Why the holidays can be difficult for queer people:</p>
<ul>
<li>others assuming the gender of your partner</li>
<li>others assuming you only have one partner</li>
<li>friends and family asking when you will have a family, not realising the challenges of queer fertility</li>
<li>you may not have as many or any family and friends to spend time with</li>
<li>the holidays can remind people of difficult times and experiences</li>
<li>you may have to spend time with people who you know hold homophobic, biphobic or transphobic views</li>
<li>you may have to spend time with people you are not out to, and have to change details of your life or appearance.</li>
</ul>
<p>It took a long time for my family to use the right pronouns for me, even though they were really supportive and accepting, and I found that very hard. I remember reading an article like this during that time, and it helped a lot. That was about ten years ago and I have no idea where I read the article, so I&#8217;m writing a new one (this first tip was suggested in that original article).</p>
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 <h2 class="zf_title">4. Decorate your queer safe space</h2>
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 <p>Can you find one area of your home you can make your queer safe space? This might be your bedroom, entire house, the inside of your wardrobe, or phone home screen. Once you have chosen your space, make some LGBTQIA+ themed decorations. These can be overt or subtle, whatever best suits you.</p><p>Go small with handmade pride-themed decorations:<a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1589746117/santa-says-trans-rights-glitter?gpla=1&;gao=1&;utm_source=connexity&;utm_medium=cpc&;utm_campaign=shopping_uk_google&;utm_content=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFhbpNDcJrG0gcgD98I-TbflLClF_VNuKCSVHar6NXs40Xaji9qU6VxoC4YYQAvD_BwE&;gad_source=1&;gad_campaignid=23110610629&;gbraid=0AAAAAD_PDJnKsiLv1vbyHZLYLl-D4utDR&;gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFhbpNDcJrG0gcgD98I-TbflLClF_VNuKCSVHar6NXs40Xaji9qU6VxoC4YYQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"></a></p><p><a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1589746117/santa-says-trans-rights-glitter?gpla=1&;gao=1&;utm_source=connexity&;utm_medium=cpc&;utm_campaign=shopping_uk_google&;utm_content=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFhbpNDcJrG0gcgD98I-TbflLClF_VNuKCSVHar6NXs40Xaji9qU6VxoC4YYQAvD_BwE&;gad_source=1&;gad_campaignid=23110610629&;gbraid=0AAAAAD_PDJnKsiLv1vbyHZLYLl-D4utDR&;gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFhbpNDcJrG0gcgD98I-TbflLClF_VNuKCSVHar6NXs40Xaji9qU6VxoC4YYQAvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> ;<img src="https://thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-1.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 148px" data-id="37426"><img src="https://thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/4.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 133px" data-id="37428"><img src="https://thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 156px" data-id="37427"><img src="https://thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-1.png" class="fr-fic fr-fil fr-dii" style="width: 138px" data-id="37425"></a></p><p>Go big with a rainbow tree:</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable"><span class="fr-img-wrap" style="width: 475px"><img src="https://thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/christmas-2890413_1280.jpg" data-id="37423" style="width: 475px" class="fr-fil fr-dib"></span></span>You can use subtler symbols:</p><p><img src="https://thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib wp-image-37415" data-id="37415" style="width: 532px"></p><p><img src="https://thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib wp-image-37416" data-id="37416" style="width: 528px"></p><p>Having this ownership of your space and a visual reminder that your queerness is a positive thing can feel really helpful.</p> </div>
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 <h2 class="zf_title">3. Christmassy X-Queer </h2>
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 <p>A lot of typical Christmas activities don't have queer vibes. But it doesn't have to be that way. There are queer adult pantomines (the only kind I've ever seen that I enjoyed) and lots of queer Christmas films like <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14315756/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Single All The Way</em></a>, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1950235/?ref_=fn_i_1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Let It Snow</em></a>, and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8522006/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Happiest Season</em></a>. ;</p><p>I'm afraid I only know examples in London, but I can recommend:</p><p><a href="https://www.vauxhalltavern.com/whats-on/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Royal Vauxhall Tavern Pantomine ;</a></p><p><a href="https://dice.fm/event/mxpy9w-grace-petries-lefty-christmas-2025-20th-dec-bush-hall-london-tickets?lng=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Grace Petrie's Lefty Christmas</a></p><p>London LGBTQ+ Centre often hold <a href="https://londonlgbtqcentre.org/event/lgbtq-winter-market-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">community events</a> and <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lgbtq-community-christmas-eve-dinner-tickets-1921637211629?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">meals</a> around Christmas</p><p>If you can recomend events in other areas of the country, please let me know in the comments. ;</p> </div>
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 <h2 class="zf_title">2. Create New Traditions </h2>
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 <p>I mentioned at the beginning of this article that I enjoy celebrating the holidays while watching <em>Muppets Christmas Carol</em>. This is a tradition I have created for myself – every Christmas Eve after everyone else has gone to bed, I watch it while I do the last of my gift wrapping. Creating new traditions – related to queerness or not – helps you create time for yourself, and gives you the oportunity to do things you enjoy. ;</p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable"><span class="fr-img-wrap" style="width: 293px"><img src="https://thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ho-Ho-Homo-1.png" style="width: 293px" data-id="37429" class="fr-fil fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/dec/21/how-we-made-the-muppet-christmas-carol">https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/dec/21/how-we-made-the-muppet-christmas-carol</a></span></span></span></p> </div>
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 <h2 class="zf_title">1. Connect with other queers </h2>
 <div class="zf_description">
 <p>Talking to other people who feel how you feel, or have been through similar things to you, can help you to feel less alone. There are options including message boards, online meets and in-person meet ups – keep searching and you will find the right space for you.<img src="https://thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Untitled-6-x-4-cm.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib wp-image-37421" style="width: 240px" data-id="37421"></p><ul><li>You can find LGBTQ+ community groups using<a href="https://www.consortium.lgbt/member-directory/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> ;LGBT Consortium's Members Directory</a>.</li><li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eventbrite</a> lists online and in-person LGBTQ+ events. We recomend <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/leeds-lgbt-community-consortium-32362638725" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Leeds LGBT+ Community Consortium online events</a>, which you don't have to live in Leeds to attend. ;</li><li>There are LGBTQ+ centres all over the UK including <a href="https://londonlgbtqcentre.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">London</a>, <a href="https://blgbt.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Birmingham</a>, <a href="https://www.theproudtrust.org/the-proud">Manchester</a>, <a href="https://www.prideplace.org.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Leeds</a>, and <a href="https://www.pridehub.lgbt/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Surrey</a>. Brighton also has a queer bookshop, cafe and community event space (<a href="https://thequeery.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Queery</a>) and in London <a href="https://lgbtiqoutside.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Outside Project</a> is a community centre, shelter and domestic abuse refuge and safe space for homeless queers. ;</li><li>You can connect with other LGBTQ+ people at The Open University through OU Pride's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1609083232734995" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook group</a> and <a href="https://www.oustudents.aluminate.net/app/space/OU.Pride/view/updates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Student Connect</a>. You can join OU Pride<a href="https://www.oustudents.com/get-involved/support-groups/ou-pride/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> ;HERE</a>. ;</li></ul><p>If you need support, you can contact <a href="https://switchboard.lgbt/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Switchboard</a>, an LGBTQIA+ information and helpline/webchat by and for queer people. <a href="https://www.mindinsomerset.org.uk/our-services/adult-one-to-one-support/mindline-trans/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mindline Trans+</a> also runs a helpline on Friday evenings from 8pm–11pm . You may want to check the website opening hours if calling on public holidays.</p> </div>
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 <h2 class="zf_title">Happy Holidays </h2>
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 <p style="text-align: center">Thanks for reading and have a wonderful holiday. ;</p><p><img src="https://thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ho-Ho-Homo-2.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 299px" data-id="37431"></p> </div>
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