Queen frontman Freddie Mercury has been named the UK LGBTQ+ community’s top LGBTQ+ icon. According to new research released today by Durex, coinciding with the start of Pride Month tomorrow, the nation has learnt more about LGBTQ+ relationships from such figures than from sex education in school.

According to the brand’s data, a mere 6% of LGBTQ+ adults learnt about LGBTQ+ relationships at school, including trans-specific issues, and one in four (26%) received no sex education at all, increasing to just over half (51%) for those aged between 45 and 75. However, two fifths (39%) of LGBTQ+ adults were taught about heterosexual relationships.

As a result, two thirds (63%) of LGTBQ+ adults claim that they had to do their own research, and half (49%) claim that the presence of these icons has provided them with a better LGBTQ+ sex education than what they were offered in school.

Additionally, only 6% of LGBTQ+ adults in the UK claim they felt empowered to embrace their sexuality from sex education at school, while almost a third (32%) claim they were empowered to do so from LGBTQ+ icons.

Earlier this month, the government released new guidance advising against the teaching of gender identity in sex education, resulting in almost two thirds of UK adults claiming they were against this move, with YouGov data revealing 61% believe that gender identity, including trans and non-binary identification, should be taught in sex education.

To help close the gap in sex education, Durex has teamed up with LGBTQ+ trailblazer and co-founder of UK Black Pride, Lady Phyll, to launch ‘My Sex, My Way, My Icons’ – a new campaign to champion inclusive sex ed and share its ‘My Sex, My Way’ LGBTQ+ S-x Ed Guide developed in collaboration with Stonewall.

According to the sexual wellbeing brand’s data, the UK LGBTQ+ community believe that LGBTQ+ icons educate the public on the community’s experiences (55%), spread awareness of social issues within the community (59%), and encourage people to embrace their sexuality and gender identity (65%).

As a result, Durex has chosen to dedicate its float at this year’s London Pride parade on 29th June to the all-time top icons within the UK LGBTQ+ community, in a bid to highlight the education gap that needs filling due to the current lack of inclusivity in UK sex education.

Alongside Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, Elton John, RuPaul, Lady Gaga and George Michael were named the UK’s top 5. While Dolly Parton, Madonna, Cher, David Bowie and Judy Garland – aka Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz – all feature in the top 10.

Lady Phyll, LGBTQ+ trailblazer and co-founder of UK Black Pride shares her insights: “I am proud to be part of the lesbian gay bis-xual queer and inters-x (LGBTQ+) community, but I wasn’t always. We didn’t have those conversations at home or at school in terms of education – so I couldn’t explain what was happening to me. I stand here today in my true authentic self and that’s exactly what LGBTQ+ icons have done for the community. Whilst they are crucial in understanding and addressing ongoing issues, it’s clear there is a gap in what our current sex education offers.”

“The latest research from Durex which builds on its 2021 ‘My Sex, My Way’, aims to shed light on the societal discrimination still faced by some of us. Just as one of our key roles at UK Black Pride is to highlight that black lesbians also have to deal with racism, Durex stands firm as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and helping those feel comfortable in becoming their true selves.”

What makes an LGBTQ+ icon?

In addition to empowering the community to embrace their sexuality and identity, more than half of LGBTQ+ UK adults (57%) feel LGBTQ+ icons, whether allies or members of the LGBTQ+ community, make them feel more visible and proud to be LGBTQ+.

While nine of the top 10 UK LGBTQ+ icons are either musicians or musical, the qualities most commonly associated with such figures include being part of the LGBTQ+ community themselves (51%), being a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally (51%), driving representation of LGBTQ+ community in mainstream media (41%), and not being bound by gender norms or societal pressures (37%). Though 72% believe non-LGBTQ+ celebrities can amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ people – as can be seen from figures named in the nation’s top ten LGBTQ+ icons.

Discrimination and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community

Over two thirds of LGBTQ+ adults (71%) in the UK believe society has become much more accepting of the community in the last decade. It’s no surprise then that respondents believe the LGBTQ+ community has been most accepted and celebrated from 2020 onwards (40%) compared to the 2010s (29%), the 00’s (17%) and earlier (14%).

However, almost two thirds (58%) encounter some form of homophobia, transphobia, interphobia and/or biphobia in their daily lives, with 14% reporting it happening at least once a week. That number rises to almost a third (32%) for those aged 18 to 24 – many of whom are still in further education – and just less than a fifth for those aged 25 to 34. Additionally, those who identify as transgender are also more likely to encounter it at least once a week (28%).

The latest campaign from Durex aims to continue its stance for a sex positive society where everyone is supported with the freedom, knowledge, and tools to be their true sexual self.

Charlotte McCrudden, category manager at Durex, comments: “We are proud to stand as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community at Pride in London and encourage everyone to feel empowered to be their true sexual self. In 2022 we partnered with Stonewall to launch our ‘My Sex, My Way’ campaign, championing inclusive sex ed and launching our LGBTQ+ sex ed guide, built with the LGBTQ+ community, for the LGBTQ+ community. This Pride, we wanted to continue building on this and continue to champion inclusive sex education.”

“Studies have found that lack of access to sex ed puts the LGBTQ+ community at a higher risk of STIs and experiencing violence in romantic and sexual relationships. In the absence of inclusive sex ed, they are entering the world of sex ill-equipped. As a result, LGBTQ+ icons have offered an alternative route for empowering the community to embrace their identity and sexuality, as well as helping to shape the community and culture. Whilst its fantastic that the LGBTQ+ community do have figures to lean on and look up to, we want to ensure that we will continue our fight to provide inclusive sex education, so people don’t have to resort to doing their own research.”

The UK’s top 10 LGBTQ+ icons: