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Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Young People Berkeley Wilde & Sarah-Louise Minter About Diversity Trust We work across all sectors We work with all ‘Protected Characteristics’ and Groups Key Legislation: Equality Act (2010), Public Sector Equality Duty and the NHS Equality Delivery System We provide engagement, research and training About LGBT Bristol A membership based organisation funded to provide: a voice for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in Bristol; to challenge homo/bi/transphobia: and to advise and challenge statutory organisations on policy and procedure with relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. We have a team of active and skilled committee members, staff and volunteers as well as a comprehensive network of LGB and Trans support and social groups. As well as this LGBT Bristol has a number of projects: Providing the LGB and Trans specialist caseworker for Bristol Hate Crime Services; Offering educational projects to increase capacity, reach and subject delivery to all educational establishments for the preventative side of homo/bi/transphobic bullying and hate crime; Bringing valuable experience in teaching, childcare, fostering, schools governance and experience in equality, diversity and inclusion. Session Aims Overview of key legislation relevant to gender identity and sexual orientation Local research on the experiences of LGB and Trans young people Best practice guidelines to help the school improve delivery to LGB and Trans young people Practical ideas on other issues including how to support LGB and Trans staff and parents Definitions Activity Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Lesbian Transgender Gay Cisgender Bisexual Cisgenderism Heterosexual Transphobia Homophobia Biphobia Heterosexism Definitions: Sexual Orientation Lesbian: Females who are intimately, emotionally and / or sexually attracted to someone of the same sex Gay Male: Males who are intimately, emotionally and / or sexually attracted to someone of the same sex Some Lesbians identify as “Gay” Bisexual: People who are intimately, emotionally and / or sexually attracted to people of both sexes Heterosexual: People who are intimately, emotionally and / or sexually attracted to someone of the opposite sex Definitions: Sexual Orientation Homophobia: Irrational fear and hatred of people who identify as Lesbian or Gay, or are perceived to be Lesbian or Gay. Can include; emotional, verbal and physical abuse. In some cases can result in violence and death (i.e. “hate crime”) Biphobia: Irrational fear and hatred of bisexual people Heterosexism: Assumption every one is Heterosexual (also “heteronormativity”) Definitions: Gender Identity • Trans (Transgender): an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and / or gender expression diverges in some way from the sex they were assigned at birth • Transgender community prefers the abbreviated term ‘Trans’ • Cisgender: term for people whose gender identity and / or gender expression is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth. Definitions: Gender Identity Cisgenderism: is a prejudice similar to heterosexism, racism and sexism. It denies, ignores, denigrates, or stigmatises non-cisgender forms of expression, sexual activity, behavior, relationship, or community. Transphobia: Irrational fear and hatred of Trans (Transgender) people. Lesbian and Gay Population According to the UK Government /Stonewall estimate, what percentage of people identify themselves as Lesbian or Gay? 2% 6% 10% Lesbian and Gay Population In 2005 the Government, when analysing the financial implications of the Civil Partnerships Act, concluded there were 3.6m Lesbian and Gay people in Britain. Around 6% of the population. Trans Population Would anyone be able to tell us the estimate percentage of the population is Transgender? Trans Population The Gender Identity Research in Education Society (GIRES) estimate the population of Trans or “Gender variant” people in the UK to be 1% of the population. Legislation: Sexual Orientation 1954 – Over 1000 men were in prison for “homosexual acts” 1967 – Sexual Offences Act - partial decriminalisation of homosexuality 1989 – Section 28 of the Local Government Act (1989). The law made it illegal for a Local Authority to: “intentionally promote homosexuality or promote the teaching in schools of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretend family relationship” 1994 – Sexual Offences Amendment Act – age of consent for gay men reduced from age 21 to 18 2000 – British Government lifts ban on Lesbian & Gay people serving in the Armed Forces 2001 – Age of consent equalised for gay men Legislation: Sexual Orientation 2002 – Equal rights granted to same-sex couples applying for adoption 2003 - Repeal of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1989 2003 - Sexual Orientation Regulations providing protection in employment and vocational training 2003 – Criminal Justice Act tougher sentences for hate crime, motivated by hatred on grounds of gender identity and/or sexual orientation 2005 – Civil Partnerships Act 2006 – Goods & Services – From April 2007 – Made it unlawful for providers of goods and services, and public authorities, to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation 2014 – Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act becomes law in England and Wales Legislation: Gender Identity 1999 – Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations Trans people protected in employment and vocational training 2004 – Gender Recognition Act Trans people are able to obtain a 'Gender Recognition Certificate' which enables them to get a new birth certificate of their chosen gender identity Legislation: Equality Act 2010 • Strengthening, harmonising and streamlining 40 years of equalities legislation across all the protected characteristics and all sectors, where appropriate • Strengthening: • Streamlining: improving the simplifying and effectiveness of consolidating equality approximately legislation 116 pieces of separate • Harmonising: equality providing the legislation same levels of protection from discrimination •Age •Disability •Gender reassignment •Marriage and civil partnership •Pregnancy and maternity •Race •Religion or belief •Sex •Sexual orientation Public Sector Equality Duty To have due regard to the need to: • Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act. • Advance equality of opportunity • Foster good relations Public Sector Equality Duty Due regard: Remove or minimise disadvantage Take steps to meet diverse needs Encourage participation Where does the Equality Act apply? Applies to the public and private sectors Services and public functions Premises Work Education Associations, including political parties Buying or renting a property Young People’s Experiences • Lack of specialist and targeted information • Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in school • Lack of support, for example families and friends, isolation and confusion • Help-seeking through informal networks • Higher levels of anxiety and depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation • Higher levels of substance misuse • Exploitation and unsafe sex • Lack of culturally appropriate and sensitive services – cultural competence • Intersectionality, for example BME and Disabled and LGB and / or Trans • Homo/bi/transphobia can affect any young person Becoming an Inclusive School How can the school become more inclusive and improve experiences for LGB and Trans young people and their families? How to improve inclusion • Assumptions e.g. “heterosexism” • Atmosphere of acceptance and celebration • Challenge biphobic, homophobic and transphobic bulying • Be knowledgeable of LGB and Trans experiences • Inclusive language • Pronouns of choice e.g. “he”, “she” or “they” • It’s ok to ask How to improve inclusion Use posters and displays to communicate positive messages throughout built environments on equality and diversity for LGB and Trans people Research and display local LGB and Trans resources GIRES has a useful website with access to resources www.gires.org.uk Stonewall has a useful website with access to resources www.stonewall.org.uk ✓ Policies and procedures are up to date and inclusive of current legislation ✓ Staff training on LGB and Trans issues ✓ Information is provided on LGB and Trans issues ✓ A policy with effective procedures in place that protects LGB and Trans people from bullying, harassment and discrimination ✓ The school consults with LGB and Trans communities e.g. LGBT Bristol Further Training We have developed a series of training modules You can access the training modules online www.lgbt-training.org.uk You can find out more about how we can support you in delivering the training for your organisation Contact Us Diversity Trust PO Box 5189 Somerset BA6 0BN Phone 0844 800 4425 Email [email protected] Web www.diversitytrust.org.uk Follow us on Twitter @DiversityTrust