The experience of multiple disadvantage, and the issues that cause and perpetuate it, are different for everyone. To address it effectively, local partnerships need to take an intersectional approach, recognising how people’s personal, social and political identities and the discrimination linked to these intersect to create unique experiences of multiple disadvantage. This includes, but is not limited to disability, race, gender, and sexuality.
This Pride Month, we are highlighting the difficulties faced by those within the LGBTQI+ community whose multiple disadvantage is compounded by their experiences of homophobia and transphobia. We are aware that people may be experiencing particularly heightened levels of fear, potential re-traumatisation and feelings of rejection following the recent Supreme Court ruling, as well as its coverage within the media and in public forums.
At MEAM, we believe that inclusive, safe and non-judgemental support for everyone is essential.
We have seen positive messages of inclusivity from many services, making it clear that trans and non-binary people are welcome. While further clarity on the ruling is still awaited (there is an opportunity to contribute to an EHRC consultation on the code of practice for services) it should not impact upon the support that multiple disadvantage services are able to provide. Gender reassignment remains a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
At a network event in 2023 exploring multiple disadvantage and people identifying as LGBTQ+, we discovered that many services were not outwardly signalling inclusivity and considered this alongside evidence from Stonewall’s LGBT in Britain – Health report that people were choosing not to disclose their LGBTQI+ identity for fear of discrimination. Signalling that your service is open to people, whatever their identity and needs, is an important way of ensuring people feel comfortable to access support.
Pride month is a good time for services to consider their approach to supporting individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, and particularly those who identify as trans or non-binary. Are you confident that your staff and colleagues can support all individuals without judgement? Are those you work with adequately informed about LGBTQ+ communities, particularly regarding difficulties they may face and issues to be sensitive to? Are services across your local systems able to support everyone’s needs?
To help with these questions, you can look at available evidence, reach out to specialist LGBTQI+ services locally and nationally, and consider training for staff teams.
We hope that Pride month can be an opportunity to ensure that people identifying as part of the LGBTQI+ community can feel safe, seen and supported in local services and systems.