‘Out’ in the country?: Focus on LGBT rural isolation

Brenda WestonEquality South West

UK Government initiatives and priorities

Small state: cutting/privatising public services and access to justice

Localism: rule by local majority

‘Cutting Red Tape’/deregulation: reducing protections

Coalition Equality Strategy: end of identity politics

Review of Equality Act: reversing by stealth

Restructuring the EHRC: minimal control on govt breaches of Equality and Human Rights legislation

NHS reform: post-code lottery in LGBT services

Irish government action on LGBT isolation

Launch of ‘LGBT Diversity’ programme

“Gay people in rural areas suffer isolation and discrimination and feel unable to fully integrate into their communities...

“Service providers - ranging from health to education - currently lack the capacity to respond effectively to the needs of these people, which can result in profound isolation and increased exposure to mental health issues.” (Derek McDonnell, Programme Manager)

“Young LGBT people who felt isolated in rural communities, and unable to be true to themselves, have often felt forced to move away to cities.” (Pat Carey Irish Minister for Community and Equality)

(Report: Irish Independent, July 2010)

What is isolation? What does it do?

Deprived of, or withdrawing from, social contact

Social isolation is a huge risk factor for The onset of major depression vulnerability to various forms of addiction

Social isolation can contribute toward heightened anxiety panic attacks eating disorders overall ill health.

LGBT social isolation is/should be a key issue for policy makers

The isolation begins in

childhood: “(age 10) It was the beginning

of the worst five years of my

life. I feel for me then and for

kids now totally let down by

society. I should have been able

to talk to my teacher, to my

parents. I don't think many

people really understand the

trauma."Matthew Todd, Editor ‘Attitude’

"The gay scene is incredibly

sexualised. Kids come out

into this sexualised world

where there is lots of booze

and lots of drugs, there's

nothing that's just healthy,

gentle and relaxed.”

“It is very easy to oppress a

minority, fo

r example, on the

basis of seemingly harmless

office banter and allowing a

minority of bigoted people

freedom to express

homophobic views

unchallenged.”

“I went to a religious school

where some members of the

staff were openly homophobic...”

“You’re gay

you’re suspect.

This is deep in

the psyche. The

facts should be

made paramount

to allay prejudice.”

Conditions creating rural isolation

Adverse social, political and cultural climate attitudes, policies, priorities

Absence of equality advocates in local councils, schools, communities

Lack of social support systems family, friends, LGBT groups

Exposure to prejudice, bullying, harassment, ‘banter’

Invisibility of LGBT people - no effective challenge to status quo

Lack of information about LGBT rights Restricted mobility – access to friends, leisure,

social groups and support services difficult

Adverse social, political and cultural climate

Rural Councils Low spending/poorly funded - fewer/underfunded

services New responsibilities (HWBs and public health) Councillors (mostly) ‘male, pale, stale and straight’ Limited equality and diversity awareness/interest

NHS

Orgs facing abolition doing what they can... Front line staff? “Never had a gay person on the ward...” New NHS bodies – Council and GP-run

LGBT groups – few and far between

Exposure to prejudice and lack of support

“...The worst prejudice has come from religious friends and relatives.”

“...staff not accepting that I should be with my civil partner during discussions with a doctor immediately prior to a procedure...”

“... no practical support for young LGBT people in my area ... no social groups for just being able to chat with other people or get support for the little things.”

“Teachers would not take me seriously, and no idea how to report...” “I was continually called names at work and physically assaulted, but

was not backed up by the management, leading to a mental breakdown and ill-health retirement.”

“(police following an assault) just could not imagine or really deal with how I could be feeling as they were uneducated in Trans issues. I felt unheard, pacified and patronised.”

Pride, Progress and Transformation

Exposure to prejudice – PP&T Experienced homophobic/transphobic

incidents in the previous two years (68% not reported to anyone)

11% in school, college, university or in the workplace 16% in their local area after dark 12% in their local area in day time

Violence at home related to LGBT identity – (Over 80% not reported to anyone)

19% had experienced violence from parents/ guardians

26% from intimate partners

8% from other family members

2% from own or other children in the household

Influence and invisibility

PP&T showed LGBT people more likely to vote than the general population: for most who commented, voting behaviour was strongly influenced by candidate’s/party’s attitudes to diversity. But they are mostly ‘invisible’ to the politicians’ eye!“Most surveys don’t ask me about my sexuality ... so they have no idea and this makes me feel that they simply don't care... not once have they ever asked me about how my sexuality affects where I live, the assumption is that everyone is straight and has children.”

“I am in the closet at work and in the community at large as I fear negative reactions.”

“... the most isolated and hard to reach are likely to be those most in need of help.”

“I feel happier writing an email (complaint), a computer feels less judgemental.”

Knowledge of LGBT rights

PP&T survey:

30% respondents ‘Very aware’ of equality protections;

22% had ‘Very little knowledge’

63% did not know where to get advice on LGBT rights

Suggestions from PP&T survey “more accessible information on MP's and their voting records

re LGBT issues... take this down to District and Council level ... this is where decisions on services which have a high impact on our lives are made.”

“Schools need far more openness and tools to address ... homophobic bullying, abuse and discrimination.”

“Access to gay friendly GP practice ...”

“Specialist services that recognise being LGBT is a complicated issue in itself.”

“More counsellors with a positive attitude to LGBT.”

“Ask me about my sexual identity...not just my gender.”

“When sending through information they could do more to say that homophobia will not be tolerated...”

What’s to be done?Priority 1: scrutinise and challenge Check that local shadow Health and Wellbeing Boards

acknowledge their equality responsibilities Monitor how they, and Clinical Commissioning Groups

are covering LGB and T issues in their discussions and Check what evidence they are using in their Joint

Strategic Needs Assessments How are they dealing with issues affecting young

LGBT people and those requiring social care in particular?

Find out how they and Clinical Commissioning Groups are engaging with LGB and T people

Draw their attention to failures to address LGBT issues

What’s to be done?Priority 2: Check how rural councils, NHS

and other agencies and voluntary bodies are addressing LGB&T issues in general

Are they publicising their responsibilities under the Equality Act and Public Sector Equality Duty?

What do they say about equality and diversity? Do their communications indicate inclusiveness? What LGBT evidence are they using in policy-making and

practices, and how are they seeking to address LGBT equality? What training do staff have in equality and diversity? Do they include sexual orientation/gender identity in surveys

etc? Are they working with other agencies to develop services and

share good practice?

Discussion and questions?