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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex A GUIDE TO ENGAGEMENT Department of Premier and Cabinet ENGAGING PEOPLE WHO ARE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX A guide to engagement In recent history, the Tasmanian Government has had very good law reform, policy development and government liaison with key Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community members. However, there is still a lack of up-to-date and accurate data available to support policy, program and service delivery for LGBTI Tasmanians. Due to this gap, the best way to understand the views and issues affecting LGBTI people is to engage directly with both people in the community and existing organisations. The limited data that is available indicates that LGBTI Tasmanians experience higher levels of assault, verbal abuse and discrimination than other Tasmanians and their mainland counterparts.1 For instance, research collated over the last decade shows that assaults based on sexual orientation are experienced by: 46 per cent of 16-26 year old Tasmanian gay and bisexual men, 46 per cent of 14-18 year old same-sex attracted people in three Tasmanian high schools, and 32 per cent of 15-25 year old southern Tasmanian lesbians.2 Nationally, LGBTI Australians are also more likely to experience:3 stigma and discrimination; hate crimes; higher rates of self-harm and suicide; higher rates of alcohol consumption, smoking of tobacco and illicit drug use; high incidences of isolation and feelings of disconnection from local community; high rates of mental health issues including stress, depression and anxiety; 1 AsquithFox Research Consultancy & Training, in conjunction with Working it Out, Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group and the Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis and Related Diseases, 2013, Be Proud Tasmania, p 16. 2 Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Reference Group 2012, cited in Ibid. 3 Queensland Government, Department of Communities (2012) Engaging Queenslanders: A guide to working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) communities. http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/communityservices/community-support/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and- intersex-lgbti-queenslanders Engaging people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex 2/10 delayed access to support services or information due to previous negative experiences with institutions and fear of further discrimination; and different, or fewer, family support structures. Though much of the evidence points to the increased risk factors faced by LGBTI Tasmanians, it is also important to acknowledge that many LGBTI Tasmanians have enormous individual capacity, and contribute a great deal to Tasmanian life across all sectors. It should also be noted that there are differences between people who are same-sex attracted, bisexual, transgender and intersex. Take the time to understand these differences, the communities and contexts, and use inclusive and respectful language. KEY TERMS Biphobia – the fear and/or hatred of bisexuals or bisexuality. Bisexual – a person who is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to people of both sexes. Coming out – the process through which an individual comes to recognise, acknowledge and disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to themselves and to others. Gay – a person who is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to people of the same sex/gender. The term is most commonly applied to men. Gender identity – how an individual identifies and/or presents their gender regardless of biological sex at birth or assignment thereafter. Gender queer – a general term applying to individuals whose gender identity and experience does not match dominant cultural expectations about what it means to be ‘male’ or ‘female’. Heterosexism – discrimination based on a belief that heterosexual relationships are the norm and are superior to same-sex relationships. Homophobia – any action, attitude or behaviour that has the potential to limit same-sex attracted people because of their sexuality. Intersex – a person with physical, hormonal or genetic features that are: (a) neither wholly female nor wholly male; or (b) a combination of female and male features; or (c) neither male nor female. Engaging people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex 3/10 Lesbian – a woman is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to other women. Misgendering – is a term for describing or addressing someone using language that does not match how that person identifies their gender.4 Pansexual – a person who is emotionally and or sexually attracted to people regardless of sex or gender identity. Queer – this term is applied to anyone who chooses to identify as queer. It can include, but is not limited to, people who identify as LGBTI. The term has different meanings to different people. Some find it offensive, while others reclaim it to encompass the broader sense of history of the gay rights movement. Some transgender people express concern that ‘queer’ only applies to sexual orientation.5 Questioning – a person, often an adolescent, who questions their sexual orientation or gender identity but does not definitively identify as gay. Sex – refers to a person’s genitals, chromosomes, hormones and other physical and reproductive traits. Sexuality – a person’s sexual orientation or preferences and expression of sexual desire. Sexual and gender diversity – an umbrella term that includes the full spectrum of gender identity and sexual identity. Sexual identity – how you see yourself sexually and how you present yourself to others. It includes being gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual. Sexual orientation – the underlying direction of sexual attraction towards people of one gender or both. A person's orientation can be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Having a homosexual or heterosexual orientation does not always mean people will have a gay, lesbian or heterosexual identity. Transgender – an umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not match dominant cultural expectations about what it means to be male or female. This includes people whose gender identity does not ‘match’ their physical/biological sex ‘assigned’ at birth. 4 National LGBTI Health Alliance (2013) Inclusive Language Guide: Respecting people of intersex, trans and gender diverse experience http://www.lgbthealth.org.au/diversity 5 LGBTQIA Resource Centre http://lgbtcenter.ucdavis.edu/lgbt-education/lgbtqia-glossary Engaging people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex 4/10 Transphobia – any action, attitude or behaviour that has the potential to limit people because of their gender identity. Transsexual – a person who identifies as a member of the opposite sex to the physical/biological sex ‘assigned’ at birth. ENGAGING WITH LGBTI COMMUNITIES The benefits of engaging with the LGBTI community are apparent for the community itself, their friends and families, and Tasmanian Government agencies. Benefits include: better informed policies and programs that promote inclusion and prevent discrimination, vilification and harassment based on gender identity and sexual orientation; increased awareness of LGBTI issues and needs within the community; increased community understanding of the lived experience of LGBTI Tasmanians; and the identification of barriers to service delivery for LGBTI Tasmanians. BARRIERS TO ENGAGEMENT An individual’s decision to ‘come out’ is often influenced by their belief as to whether they will be supported by friends and family. Hiding one’s true sex, sexual or gender identity can have negative impacts, including increased violence, and lower self-esteem and wellbeing.6 In addition to hiding sex, sexual or gender identity, individuals may use a range of strategies and behaviours to manage the fear and/or experiences of prejudice, discrimination and violence. However, coming out completely can result in victimisation and/or increased perception of being victimised.7 Further barriers to engagement, as identified by the Queensland Government, include: language, terminology and government jargon; lack of LGBTI-friendly and community-specific material and information, particularly in relation to transgender and intersex information and services; lack of formal LGBTI community networks and infrastructure; discomfort with some public processes, for example, not feeling safe to be ‘out’; 6 Be Proud Tasmania, p18. 7 Samis, 1995 cited in Faulkner 2009: 129 cited in Ibid. Engaging people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex 5/10 fear of authority and mistrust of government; fear of lack of privacy and confidentiality, for example of being ‘outed’ in contexts where being known to be LGBTI carries significant personal risk or risks to family and friends; complex government systems, procedures and processes; lack of staff awareness of sexual orientation and gender diversity issues; and non-inclusive intake processes and forms.8 PLANNING ENGAGEMENT Engagement with LGBTI people may be targeted or part of a broader engagement program. You will need to gain an understanding of what is going on in the sector and what the key issues are. You may choose to contact key organisations working with LGBTI communities to talk about what you want to do. Many of the websites provided will help to inform how you should approach your project. The A to Z of engagement techniques developed by the Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Your Care, Your Say project, provides an excellent overview of methods for community
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