Guide for Health Services on How to Support Lgbti People Through the Marriage Equality

MEDIA RELEASE28SEPTEMBER 2015

GUIDE FOR HEALTH SERVICES ON HOW TO SUPPORT LGBTI PEOPLE THROUGH THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY DEBATE RELEASED

With marriage equality continuing to remain out of reach for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Australians, ACON has produced a resource for health care providers,to assist services to support members of the LGBTI community through what may be a distressing time.

ACON, NSW’s leading HIV support, HIV prevention and LGBTI support organisation has long supported equal marriage rights to all within our communities and along with a variety of LGBTI organisations and rights bodies, recently expressed a desire to avoid a potentially hurtful plebiscite.

As the debate over marriage equality and the potential plebiscite continues, there are serious concerns over the mental health for many within our LGBTI communities. ACON has created a resource to help health care providers offer assistance to their clients during this period.

“With marriage equality currently under debate in Australia, we are already seeing an increase in anti-LGBTI commentary and we expect this to increase as the debate continues,” ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said.

“The debate is already having a significant impact on Australia’s LGBTI community members, who continue to have their lives and relationships scrutinised and judged,”

“This is both unsurprising and highly regrettable. Much of the ‘debate’ promulgates false stereotypes and misinformation that can be used throughout print, electronic and broadcast media, political rallies and other social interactions.”

The resources that have been developed for health service providers as it is well documented that LGBTI people experience higher levels of psychosocial distress and are at increased risk of health issues including depression and anxiety.

Many of these conditions have been attributed to experiences and fears of discrimination and abuse.

Pre-existing higher rates of mental health issues in LGBTI communities make these groups more vulnerable to the potentially negative rhetoric that may arise in the prolonged national debate on marriage equality.

“It’s imperative that during this time health services are in a position to provide an LGBTI inclusive and friendly space. This is particularly important given a likely increase in LGBTI people accessing mental health services for support, particularly in regional and rural areas,” Parkhill said.

“It’s also important for services to profile publicly that they are LGBTI inclusive and friendly. This will let prospective LGBTI clients know that they are welcome, and that they will receive the same quality service as everyone else.”

The resource for health services, which can be viewed here, follows the release of an annotated bibliography that was sent to media and politicians last week, outlining the public health evidence as it relates to marriage equality.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications Officer

E: T: +61 (02) 9206 2044 M: +61 (0)428 477 042