An overview of the SW England wide survey conducted by ESW in 2012

1. Pride, Progress and
Transformation: an overview
Brenda Weston
Equality South West

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3. Why the PP&T survey?
Wanted to identify the real issues for LGB and
Trans people in the South West of
England:
 Highlight issues specific to ‘sub-groups’ as well as
those common to all
 Bring the voices of contributors directly to readers
 Assist LGB and Trans ‘equality-proofed’ policy making
 Support LGB and Trans groups to influence and
challenge local policy-making
 Stimulate debate and further research ...

4. How did we do it?
 Joint advisory group: LGB, Trans + ESW
 Qs based around ‘ten dimensions of equality’
 Anonymous
 Emphasis on open-ended questions
 Electronic + strategically placed hard copies
 Launched through ESW e-bulletin
 Open Jan – July 2010

5. 362 contributors
 Gender
• 47% female
6% MtF Trans
• 43% male
4% FtM Trans
 Sexuality: L 34%; G 41%; B 14% (other 11%)
 Age range: youngest, 14; oldest 87
 Disabilities: 23% self-identified
 Race: 21 BME respondents
 Religion/belief: 86 identified a religion or belief

6. 362 respondents
 55% live in cities or large towns
 ... across 30 local authority areas
 Housing: 52% owned; 29% private rent; 6% social
15% no tenure
 Relationships:





17% civil partners
34% single
39% in a relationship
28% biological parents or in a parental role
7% married
 Income: majority under £25k (largest grp £15-20K)

7. Health and well-being: key findings
 Childhood homo/transphobia - impact on adult
health and well-being
 Top health concerns: mental and sexual health
 Key health care issues
 Practitioners lack of knowledge/awareness
 Prejudice can lead to unnecessary health risks
 Different health/care issues affect sub-groups
 Ageing – Anxieties around care and support in
heterosexist care environments

8. Health and well-being: messages
 All providers – including voluntary sector - publicise LGB
and Trans inclusiveness
 All staff and volunteers - awareness training and
respect in practice
 GPs - attitudes and clinical knowledge key: LGB and
Trans surgery-based specialists?
 Health & social care & supported housing
providers - need to understand complexities of LGB and
Trans ageing
 Mental health services - more counselling, more timely
and more LGB and Trans aware
 All providers - monitor sexual/gender identities

9. Health and well-being: Voices
 “It has to start with kids and schools. I've suffered from severe
depression since an early age and have contemplated suicide since I
was a little boy...”
 “...staff not accepting that I should be with my civil partner during
discussions with a doctor immediately prior to a procedure...”
 “Access to gay friendly GP practice & able to choose woman GP
when I need to...”
 “...advice based on knowledge, experience and current research, not
an antiquated chapter on 'gender dysfunction' read by GP in 1978 ..”
 “... it will not be too long before I will need residential/similar care - I
do not think the providers are geared up to this.”
 “More varied counselling services - particularly more counsellors with
a positive attitude to LGBT.”

10. Safety and security: findings
 Experiences of homophobic/transphobic incidents in the
past two years - 68% had 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
 Domestic violence – Over 80% had 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
 Ongoing, low-level homophobic abuse creates a climate
of fear.

11. Safety & security: Messages
 Responsible bodies (police, employers, unions) must make it
easy to report, and address homophobic/transphobic
incidents
 School, colleges and workplaces must create safe and
supportive (zero tolerance) environments for LGB and Trans
people, with clear reporting and enforcement procedures
 Victim support agencies need to publicise their services
better, and publicly welcome LGB and Trans people,
especially in relation to abuse in the home
 Housing providers need to understand the effects of
persistent neighbour abuse and enforce tenancy conditions
 Mass media outlets should help raise public awareness
through fair media representation of LGB and Trans people

12. Safety & security: Voices
 “My employer did not feel that the homophobic abuse I was subject
to (...homophobic language, exclusion from social activities, open
expression of homophobic attitudes etc) was homophobia”.
 “Teachers would not take me seriously, and no idea how to report...”
 “They 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.” (following an assault)
 (Attacked) “a number of years ago. Did not tell police ... as did not
trust them... things have changed and I would tell them now.”
 “I was hospitalised following a severe assault, which included sexual
assault, in a park on my way home from work.”
 “By tackling homophobia more - it would be great to think that it was
ok to hug my partner in public like other couples can.”

13. Visibility, dignity, self-expression:
findings
 Family reactions are fundamental and crucial
 Schools, colleges have a key exemplary/supportive role
 LGB and T people want to be a visible part of society
 The media distort perceptions of LGB and Trans people’s lives: do
not reflect the ‘ordinariness’
 Depression and other mental health effects from prejudice is a multiagency concern
 Poor workplace equality practices can cost us all
 Some ‘gay’ venues and LGB and Trans organisations are less
welcoming than ‘mainstream’ ones
 Things have improved, including (many of) the police ...

14. Visibility, dignity, self-expression:
Messages
 Better information, support and advice for families and LGB and
Trans children
 All public bodies to actively promote LGB and Trans equality and
eliminate discrimination
 Consulting and involving LGB and Trans people key
 Media to take responsibility for the attitudes they foster – and their
consequences
 Schools to ensure all staff are LGB and Trans aware, willing &
equipped to deal with incidents
 Health staff to ensure patients feel safe to discuss LGB and Trans
identity-related issues

15. Visibility, dignity, self-expression:
Voices
 “...The worst prejudice has come from religious friends and
relatives.”
 “The biggest problem I face is assumption of
heterosexuality.”
 “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.”
 “the police have been great...friendly reassuring helpful”
 “… schools/colleges/universities etc. need to have training
on equality and diversity.”
 “The people who most need to change are the media.”

16. Knowledge, voice, influence:
Findings
 30% ‘Very aware’ of equality protections; 22% had ‘Very
little knowledge’
 63% did not know where to get advice on rights
 Mixed views on whether/how identity affects opportunities
to influence local decision making
 Anticipated prejudice affects civic and voluntary activity
 Diversity of methods, anonymity, and trust are key to
effective consultation and complaints feedback
 More active voters than general population: voting strongly
influenced by party attitudes to diversity.

17. Knowledge, voice, influence:
Messages
 Schools: homophobic/transphobic bullying policies
clearly explained and effectively enforced
 Councils and other public bodies:
 Properly implement PSED (including through grant giving to
VCS organisations)
 Make consultations/complaints accessible/targeted/responsive
 Include sexual/gender identity question in surveys/consultations
 Involve LGB&T people directly at policy formulation stage
 Publicise diversity/LGB and Trans friendly culture and policies
 VCS: ensure staff/volunteers understand/fulfil PSED
 Employers: act on business case for inclusive
workplaces

18. Knowledge, voice, influence:
Voices
 “Schools need far more openness and tools to address ...
homophobic bullying, abuse and discrimination.”
 “I feel happier writing an email (complaint), a computer feels less
judgemental.”
 “Ask me about my sexual identity...not just my gender.”
 “You’re gay – you’re suspect. This is deep in the psyche. The facts
should be made paramount to allay prejudice.”
 “When sending through information they could do more to say that
homophobia will not be tolerated...”
 “I want to be a teacher and I am worried that my homosexuality may
be something that holds me back...”

“I do feel restricted in what form of voluntary work I seek to
undertake particularly where it involves children, older people or
religious groups

19. Opportunities and standard of
living: Findings
 Three main factors were associated with a good quality of life: choice
in housing; ability to be themselves on holiday; ability to be open
about relationships.
 22% believe their sexual/gender identity negatively affects their
earning power; 8% believe the reverse.
 13% were self-employed (this mirrors the % overall for the SW)
 Slightly more felt their LGB or Trans identity has a positive than a
negative effect on intellectual, skills and creative development
 Myths about LGB and Trans people, and fear of prejudice deter
involvement in paid and unpaid work with children, limiting the pool of
volunteers and professionals available to contribute.
 Trans people’s opportunities are particularly restricted in all key areas

20. Opportunities and standard of
living: Messages
 Leisure and tourism businesses: would benefit from
declaring themselves LGB and Trans inclusive
 Police: Need to take seriously homophobic/transphobic
incidents which undermine LGB and Trans people’s
human rights
 Social housing staff: Need to understand the impact of
homophobic neighbour harassment on LGB and Trans
tenants and take firm action
 Government, public bodies and media: need to work to
dispel the myth linking LGB and Trans identity with
abuse of children.

21. Opportunities and standard of
living: Voices
 “I am in the closet at work and in the community at large as I fear
negative reactions.”
 “I myself know of many closeted primary school teachers who fear
the impact disclosing their sexuality will have on parents of children
in their care.”
 “How you are perceived (outwardly) affects where you live, where
you go, choices you make.”
 “Being trans can attract unwanted attention and make your life more
difficult. You can be seen as a threat ... or simply mocked.”
 “Simple things like holding hands in public is still seen as taboo or
worse seen as a political expression rather than one of affection.”
 “Being in rental accommodation often means I don't feel able to be
fully open about my sexuality e.g. having my partner staying over
occasionally...”