11. Young, gay and ignored
Resolution submitted by the RCN Hampstead Branch
That this meeting of RCN Congress urges RCN Council to develop and promote best practice to combat the barriers to health and homophobic bullying faced by LGBT youth in the UK
Report on this debate
RCN Council was urged this morning to develop guidance to help combat the homophobic bullying of young people after a resolution brought by RCN Hampstead Branch was voted through by delegates.
Dominic Walsh, the proposer of the item, spoke from the heart about the problems he faced growing up as a gay man.
Instances of homophobic bullying, he said, had risen dramatically in recent years. The RCN, as a ‘doing-kind of organisation’, had the opportunity to create guidance for the profession that would increase access to healthcare services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) young people in desperate need of support.
Dominic’s passionate defence of the resolution was supported by three members - Iain McGregor from Scotland, Richard Deacon from Leeds and Damian Ronksley from Sheffield – who spoke movingly about the struggles they faced as children and adolescents.
Iain revealed how, as a teenager, he was ‘kicked out of home’ by his parents after revealing he was gay. Richard said that if support had been available for him and his parents ‘things would have been better’. And maybe, he added, ‘my GP would not have compared gay men to dogs copulating on the street.’ Damian, a student, described how he was bullied at secondary school and how the ordeal had impacted on his health and studies. We need this guidance, he said, ‘so that the next generation can look forward to the future with confidence.’
| For | 390 | 95.12% |
|---|---|---|
| Against | 20 |
4.88% |
| Abstain | 16 |
| For | 104 |
99% |
|---|---|---|
| Against | 1 |
1% |
Background
Improved access to care is a priority for UK governments which are mandating that commissioners and providers evaluate service delivery to avoid discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. The issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are many, and discrimination remains a major issue. This in turn may prevent LGBT people from accessing health care in a timely manner.
Evidence suggests that young LGBT people are vulnerable, and are likely to lead less healthy lifestyles (for example, increased smoking, substance misuse and alcohol consumption in response to dealing with homophobia and lowered self-esteem) (Fish, 2007). Additionally, they are more likely to report eating disorders and obesity, sexual health infections and HIV. Whilst these assumptions may be difficult to substantiate, researchers have pointed to the lack of social spaces for LGBT people, apart from clubs and pubs.
School is an important area for socialising, and whist some schools tackle issues of homophobic bullying, others choose to ignore it. Homosexuality needs to be normalised within the school environment, so that all young people respect each other ― regardless of sexual orientation. Mechanisms for reporting bullying must not force victims to ‘out themselves’, and support must be provided for parents, teachers and students.
The National strategy for sexual health and HIV (Department of Health, 2001) recognises that gay and bisexual men need targeted sexual health information and HIV/STI prevention advice, and have particular access requirements. The briefing paper Reducing health inequalities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people (Fish, 2007) suggests that these requirements are not limited to sexual health, but extend to other risks, and the government White Paper Choosing health (DH, 2004) recognises that health is linked to the way people live their lives and aims to tackle the causes of ill health and reduce inequality. More recently, Our health, our care, our say (2006) suggested that services should suit users’ needs, with the recognition that good health is encouraged by social and lifestyle factors.
In 2008 the Welsh Assembly Government plans to develop and publish guidelines for schools on tackling homophobic bullying, and strongly supports initiatives aimed at increasing equality for youth and adults. In Scotland, Stonewall Scotland is leading a number of Scottish Government funded projects relating to improving the quality of experience, and access to health care and public services, for the LGBT community in general, including a specific guide to health care workers. In 2007, LGBT Youth Scotland and the Scottish Association for Mental Health launched a government funded anti-bullying service to provide advice and guidance on developing and implementing anti-bullying policies and initiatives.
In Northern Ireland, a range of evidence suggests that bigotry and violence towards LGBT people is higher than elsewhere in the UK, despite recent legislative changes to tackle discrimination. RCN Northern Ireland has supported a recent draft DHSSPS sexual orientation strategy and action plan, which seeks to tackle homophobic bullying and enhance support for victims.
The RCN has developed an LGBT equality strategy which will be launched during Congress. The RCN has continued to support the annual LGBT Health Summit, and works closely with the Department of Health on its sexual orientation and gender identity (SOCIAG) work streams.
References and further reading
Department of Health (2001) Better prevention, better services, better sexual health: the national strategy for sexual health and HIV, London: Stationery Office. Available from: www.dh.gov.uk/en/publicationsandstatistics
Department of Health (2004) Choosing health: making healthy choices easier, London: Stationery Office (Cm 6374). Available from: www.dh.gov.uk/en/publicationsandstatistics
Fish J (2007) Reducing health inequalities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people: briefings for health and social care staff, London: Department of Health. Available from: www.dh.gov.uk/en/publicationsandstatistics