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GALYIC has been advocating for LGBT youth in Calderdale for 20 years, offering support, research, publications, training, and campaigns on mental health, alcohol misuse, and more. Issues such as vulnerability, accessibility of mainstream services, and the need for policies and funding are addressed. Take action to improve the well-being of young LGBT individuals.
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Young LGBT People: Health & Care Equality Jan Bridget Gay and Lesbian Youth in Calderdale
Credentials • 20 years: 1987 LIS; 1997 Action/GALYIC • Support: Long distance/local; telephone, email, text, letter, face-to-face; 1-1, groups • Research: Library; LIS website; Young Lesbians; Young LGBs • Publications: Lists; Packs; Reports; Booklets • Training: Homophobia awareness from a multi-oppression perspective; 1,000’s of professionals, around country • Campaigning: Mental health; alcohol misuse; LGB young people
MAIN ISSUES • Young Trans – no/little data • Vulnerability • Effects • Inaccessible Mainstream Services • What can SOGIAG do?
VULNERABILITY • Identifying and coming out at younger ages therefore more vulnerable: • At school – homophobic bullying; invisibility of issues • On streets – homophobic bullying (usually same perpetrators) • At home – parental rejection (homelessness) or on-going emotional abuse (non-acceptance) • Media – religious homophobes • Isolated – no information, friends • High levels of sexual abuse
INACCESSIBLE SERVICES • Most mainstream services say accessible to all young people, including LGBT, but few are (lack: training, resources, specialist service/group/member of staff) • Clear young LGBTs should be accessing mainstream services, especially mental health; alcohol/drugs; social services (families – emotional abuse; sexual abuse); housing; sexual health; youth services • Not access services unless know gay-friendly or if do and not out, not getting needs met
GALYIC: Accessing Mainstream Services • 21% had tried to access other services and found them to be homophobic or lacking in understanding of LGBT issues • 65% not out to GPs
What can SOGIAG do? • POLICIES: Acknowledge LGBT youth highly vulnerable: inclusion in relevant strategies/actions (MKing’s lit review: 12/24 papers related to young LGBs; acknowledged abroad - Queensland); local PCT – no funding unless included in national strategies and action points • EXPERTS: Set up national working party of experts & relevant departmental representation (quarterly and virtual on KC) • FUNDING: Prioritise government funding programmes, e.g. section 64, opps4vols, etc, LGBT youth groups – specific to develop/build on current provision • RESEARCH: Commission mapping current provision; trans youth • TRAINING: Relevant professional basic training • MAINSTREAM SERVICES: training, policies, working with LGBT youth groups • RESOURCES: CSIP – support to develop resources on KC