Jack Murley's Swim for Switchboard

Pride Month is almost in the books - and you'll probably notice that when June finishes, things will feel noticeably less... gay.

Businesses, brands, and influencers who spent the entirety of June telling us why supporting the LGBTQ+ community was integral to who they are have taken down the rainbow bunting and no longer seem quite so keen to give us the visibility - or the money! - that we need.

And make no mistake, we really DO need it.

Anti-LGBTQ+ bills are making their way through legislatures around the world, our human rights are being eroded, and the charities that countless queer people rely on are seeing their funding slashed, or withdrawn altogether.

Put simply, it's the scariest time I've ever known as a gay man.

But - the way to overcome fear is to take action, and the best way to take action is to do something that will provide tangible support to the groups that so many LGBTQ+ people rely on.

So, I'm putting my money where my mouth is - or at least, my body where the water is - and pulling on my trunks to try and raise money for Switchboard LGBT+.

In July, I'm swimming 28 kilometres in just 31 days - with the '28' distance a deliberate choice as a nod to the legacy of Section 28 that still impacts on so many queer lives, and the choice of July in an effort to highlight the fact that gay people don't simply disappear after Pride Month is done.

And why Switchboard LGBT? Well, I've spent seven and a half years talking about the importance of having conversations on the podcast - but these folk are the real deal. They've been having meaningful conversations with members of the LGBTQ+ community for more than fifty years, through times of crises and celebrations, for generations of queer individuals.

It's no exaggeration to say hundreds of LGBTQ+ folk wouldn't be here without Switchboard LGBT, but they can't do it without money - and that's what your donations will go to. Training more volunteers, answering more calls, supporting more people to be their authentic selves, just like I am fortunate enough to be.

I won't pretend this is going to be easy. I'm a 37 year old man who hasn't ever taken on something like this before - but I'm confident that your support will power me through.

If you can give, that's amazing.

£5 would be amazing, £10 even better, £20 would be phenomenal - even £1 can help, and if you can't give (because we all know times are tight!) a share or plug on your socials is just as valuable.

So, there we go. I've typed it. I've got the trunks.

Time to do this.