New report details discrimination faced by disabled LGB's

Suzybie

Disabled people who are lesbian, gay men or bisexual are discriminated against in Irish society, NDA discussion paper finds
Release Date: 29/04/2005

The estimated 30,000 Irish people with disabilities who are also lesbian, gay or bisexual are further disadvantaged in a number of ways because of their sexual orientation, according to a discussion paper published today (April 29, 2005) by the National Disability Authority.

"Discrimination and exclusion are common experiences for disabled lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in the context of their contact with the disability community, the lesbian, gay and bisexual scenes, service providers and with wider society," the discussion paper says.

The discussion paper is based on selected international and national literature and original research with lesbian, gay and bisexual people living in Ireland. It provides an overview of the reality of their lives, identifies key issues and makes recommendations for research, standards and dialogue that will inform the development of policy.

Recurrent themes that emerged during the preparation of the paper include discrimination of disabled lesbians, gay men of bisexuals within the disabled and lesbian, gay and bisexual communities, access issues, information, education, awareness and attitudes.

"This discrimination and exclusion has very real consequences, both for the individual in terms of mental well being, access to services and quality of life, and for Irish society in terms of full, open and equal participation for all its members," it says.

The paper says there is deficit in the area of research into sexual orientation and disability internationally and nationally. "Research needs to be undertaken into lives, experiences and needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual disabled people living across Ireland, including rural areas. In particular research into the experiences of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in residential care is urgently required to inform policy, standards and practice."

The NDA document says the Disability Bill proposes the introduction of needs assessment and adds: "these should address sexuality and include sexual and social needs e.g. identifying services and social activities that disabled people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual need to access."

Service and practice standards must include equality requirements to ensure that they deliver high quality, appropriate and adequate provision to people with disabilities who are lesbian, gay or bisexual.

Commenting on the discussion paper the Chairperson of the National Disability Authority, Ms Angela Kerins said: "an inclusive Irish society for people with disabilities requires that such individuals have equal access and opportunities to all aspects of economic, social and cultural life and that diversity within the disability community is acknowledged, supported and valued.

"I hope this discussion paper will inform not only the NDA work in fulfilling our statutory remit on policy, research and standards but will also stimulate further discussion on disability and sexual orientation amongst a wide range of individuals and organisations in the disability and lesbian, gay and bisexual communities and wider population, including service providers, Government Departments and agencies.

"The NDA looks forward to taking this important work forward in partnership with disabled people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual and all stakeholders," said Ms Kerins.

The full report "Disability and Sexual Orientation: A discussion document" is available by following this link

uberwolf

ok, scanned half of that report with out satisfying myself with the answer of a simple question.

Is this discrimination simply the cross section between discrimination disabled people suffer and the discrimination LGBs suffer. Or is there a new element here. Meaning that standard response to solving discrimination in either of the cases mentioned there won't have sufficent impact on those falling into the combined category?

Suzybie

The answer to your query is not so simple. But it is frequently reported that disabled lgb's are discriminated against in both sectors, not feeling totally accepted in either and falling between the cracks.

In the lgb sector they find it hard to access groups, pubs, clubs etc and their needs are not thought of in planning services. Also the focus on body image in the lgb community alienates many people with disabilities. Information on lgb issues is often in inaccessible formats.

In the disability sector issues to do with sexuality are ignored, straight or gay. LGB’s with disabilities report that when they do disclose their sexuality is often pathologised or ignored.

In the report their are numerous examples of where people with disabilities find it hard to disclose or are afraid to do so as they fear losing access to services. Those that need personal assistants or are living in sheltered or residential accommodation are limited in choices and independence they can have in their lives due to homophobia and/or desexualisation.

Standard responses don't count here - the report and the disabled LGB's involved want specific needs assessments and forward planning by lgb groups and the disability sector. Training for staff and volunteers in these groups should include info on sexual orientation and disability. They don't want special groups for lgb's with disabilities - they want to be included and welcomed from the start.