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Gogglebox’s favourite dads Wayne & Tom talk Mardi Gras and lockdown
As Australia celebrates Mardi Gras this year, new research from LGBTIQ+ community support service QLife, prepared exclusively for ANZ, has revealed there was a 75% increase in calls from under 18’s in 2020, with many callers experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
During the second half of 2020, QLife experienced a 58% increase in the number of people wanting to access its telephone and web services. It also recorded a 31% increase in calls from people who said they had experienced feelings of “isolation” and “loneliness”.
The social effects of the pandemic proved to be particularly challenging for LGBTIQ+ Australians living in rural and remote communities, where QLife experienced a 78% increase in the total number of calls made to the service, year-on-year.
Based in Melbourne and coming off the back of their 3rd lockdown, former Gogglebox fan favourites and parents Wayne and Tom faced increased feelings of loneliness and isolation last year. This was particularly true of Wayne, who is a huge hugger. The loss of physical connection with others and their children had a real impact, but the pair remain thankful for each other’s company.
While they still haven’t seen their two eldest daughters in more than 12 months, they thankfully were finally able to drive to Sydney last month to see their youngest.
The pair are proud to be teaming up with ANZ to bring a little extra love and support to their community this Mardi Gras – particularly for the many families and children who loved watching them on Gogglebox and have felt the ‘chosen family’ love from the duo since.
“Issues of isolation and loneliness have resulted in a disconnection from our community. These feelings are just a fraction of what our LGBTIQ+ community faces almost every day,” Wayne and Tom said.
“Our community is resilient, and we have come together many times to support each other through many challenging times and events.
“This time is no different, whether it was supporting LGBTIQ+ businesses, using online platforms and chat rooms to host virtual parties or just simply asking are you okay. There’s a natural characteristic that bonds our community together.”
ANZ has announced a $100,000 donation to QLife, the equivalent of an additional 2,250 hours of anonymous, free telephone and web chat as well as peer support to LGBTIQ+ community members throughout 2021. This is part of ANZ’s long term commitment to supporting the LGBTIQ+ community and as Principal Partner of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
To celebrate the way the LGBTIQ+ community has come together in the face of a challenging 12 months, ANZ has also created and launched a short film. Starring members of the LGBTIQ+ community including ANZ’s staff, this music video shines an intimate light on the tornado of emotions felt by so many people in the community, not only this past year, but so often as they find their true selves.
This emotionally-charged tribute to the strength and resilience of the LGBTIQ+ community aims to bring people together through their unified experiences of isolation. The intention is to make people feel just like they do at Mardi Gras – inexplicably proud to be a part of such a beautiful, vibrant, group of individuals.
We may not be able to make it to Mardi Gras this year, but the strength of the community is as powerful now as ever. Even on our own, we’re still together.
For more information visit www.anz.com/mardigras
