Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby back LGBT autism activist determined to end discrimination

An inspiring autism and LGBT rights activist has won the backing of TV’s Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

Dan Barrett wrote to the This Morning presenters to try and raise awareness of LGBT people living with autism.

700,000 Brits live with autism in the UK, some of whom face the challenges and discrimination of being LGBT on top of their disability.

Dan set out to make a short documentary about his experience after coming out as gay five months earlier.

“We should all be treated the same,” he says, “and that’s how I felt when I came out as gay.”

Holly and Phil agreed to front the documentary, which was made with students from Mid Kent College.

With @Schofe ? #Phillipschofield pic.twitter.com/xtbKDpVWgu

— Dan Barrett (@TeenCoulson) September 13, 2017

In the video Holly says: “Research shows that out of all the people who identify as LGBT, many are on the autistic spectrum.

Phil added: “Coming out as gay and bisexual is more challenging with learning difficulties like autism, so let’s see what it’s like from Dan’s point of view.”

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Explaining how his life was transformed by coming out, Dan says: “Five months ago I came out as gay, and you know what, my life has been completely different.

“But the struggles that came with my anxiety and all the aspects of my autism made it very difficult for me to express my feelings.

“And to tell someone that you’re gay is hard enough at the best of times, so that’s why I’m making this documentary.”

• Dec 01 2023

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