Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex - A GUIDE TO ENGAGEMENT
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and intersex
A GUIDE TO ENGAGEMENT
Department of Premier and CabinetENGAGING 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 2/10delayed 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 3/10Lesbian – 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 5/10fear 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 engagement.
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN ENGAGING
The engagement methods and techniques that are chosen to engage with the LGBTI
community will depend on the level of engagement that is appropriate for your project. It is
important to respect people’s privacy and maintain confidentiality.
Public advertising forums for engagement aimed at LGBTI people should be well thought out.
Not all LGBTI people are ‘out’ in their communities, for a number of reasons. Some people
may not feel comfortable in ‘outing’ themselves in public forums.
Alternative engagement methods that could be used include one-on-one interviews (where
trust is established), surveying, online forums (such as private Facebook groups), email or phone
calls.
8
Queensland Government, Ibid
Engaging people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex 6/10Engagement may be more effective if you make the most of the information and networks
available through LGBTI organisations, or work with trusted people within the health and
community sector. See the Key Contacts for the LGBTI community section of this toolkit.
Note that the issues affecting LGBTI people in the Tasmanian community may be compounded
if they:
are a young person;
are from a culturally and linguistically diverse background;
have a disability;
are an older Tasmanian;
are Aboriginal; or
are from a regional, rural or isolated area.
This means that you will also have to be aware of the particular issues affecting other population
groups and geographic communities before engaging.
LGBTI EVENTS
International Celebrate Bisexuality Day is on 23 September each year.
International Day Against Homophobia is on 17 May each year.
Rainbow Communities Tasmania hosts the Annual Rainbow Dinner and Awards.
For more information go to www.rainbowtas.org
Queer Art exhibition (see TasPride).
The annual TasPride Festival is held in November. Go to www.taspride.com for
further information.
The Queens’ Ball (another TasPride event) is held each year on the Sunday
evening before the Queen’s Birthday Holiday.
Engaging people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex 7/10RELEVANT INFORMATION POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND LEGISLATION
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2013, Same-sex couples, 4102.0 – Australian Social
Trends
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing, 2012, National Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Ageing and Aged Care Strategy
Be Proud Tasmania www.beproudtasmania.com
Tasmanian Government, Department of Education (DoE), 2013, Guidelines for Supporting
Sexual and Gender Diversity in Schools and Colleges
Tasmanian Government, Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC), 2011, Children and
Young People in Tasmania: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex
Tasmanian Government, DoE, 2013, Guidelines for Inclusive Language
The LGBTI Grants Program provides $50 000 per annum to community organisations and
tertiary institutions to:
improve the proportion of Tasmanians who are accepting of diversity;
reduce the number of discrimination complaints lodged on grounds of sexual
orientation; and
improve resilience and capacity in the LGBTI community.
The program opens each year in February. For further information go to
http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/csrt/grants_and_community_engagement
WHERE DO I START?
There are many Tasmanian organisations that may be able to assist you to provide information
to the LGBTI community. Be mindful not to limit communication and engagement with this
community to LGBTI-specific issues only.
Engaging people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex 8/10ORGANISATION CONTACT DETAILS
Be Proud Tasmania Website: beproudtasmania.com
Bi-Tasmania Social and support group for bisexual Tasmanians.
Phone: 0401 054 003
East Coast Queer Life Website: www.ecqls.org
Support
National LGBTI Health A coalition of organisations across Australia that provides health-related
Alliance programs, services and research targeting LGBTI individuals and other
sexuality, sex and gender diverse people.
Website: www.lgbthealth.org.au
Email: info@lgbtihealth.org.au
Phone: (02) 8568 1120
OII Australia – Intersex The home of Organisation Intersex International Australia.
Australia Website: www.oii.org.au
Population Health, The Population Health Group focuses on improving and promoting
Department of Health and health and wellbeing for all Tasmanians. It works to reduce inequalities
Human Services, Tasmania in health and to protect Tasmanians from public and environmental
health hazards.
Website: www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/pophealth/glbti_health
Phone: (03) 6222 7729
Rainbow Tasmania An incorporated body of organisations dedicated to achieving and
maintaining inclusion and equity for rainbow people in Tasmania.
Website: www.rainbowtas.org/
Email: deidre@rainbowtas.org
Phone: 03) 6266 4586
Website: www.tglrg.org
Tasmanian Gay & Lesbian
Email: rodney.croome@tglrg.org
Rights Group
Phone: (03) 6224 3556
TasPride A leading GLBTIQ community organisation, providing Tasmanians wide
support
Website: www.taspride.com
Email: info@taspride.com
Engaging people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex 9/10ORGANISATION CONTACT DETAILS
Working It Out Tasmania’s gender and sexuality support and education service.
Website: www.workingitout.org.au
Email: exec@workingitout.org.au
Phone:
South: (03) 6231 1200
North: (03) 6334 4013
North West: (03) 6432 3643
Parents and Friends of Website: www.pflagaustralia.org.au
Lesbians and Gays
Relationships Australia Group work with LGBTI community.
Phone: 1300 364 277
Website: www.tascahrd.org.au
Tasmanian Council on AIDS,
Email: mail@tascahrd.org.au
Hepatitis and Related
Phone: 1800 005 900 or (03) 6234 1242
Diseases TasCAHRD
The Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Communities, Sport and Recreation is responsible
for managing the Whole-of-Government Framework for LGBTI Tasmanians. It is available at
www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/csrt/policy/advisory_groups/lgbti_whole-of-
government_reference_group
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