Agenda item

A copy of the Overview Select Committee’s scrutiny report on ‘Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Issues is attached.

The Commission is requested consider the issues raised in the report and respond in particular to the recommendation contained in paragraph 3.1.6 in relation to whether the needs of LGBT people are being adequately considered and responded to, particularly in relation to sexual and mental health.

Representatives of the Leicester LGBT Centre and Trade Sexual Health have been invited to the meeting for this item.

Members received a copy of the Overview Select Committee’s scrutiny report on ‘Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Issues.

The Commission was requested consider the issues raised in the report and respond in particular to the recommendation contained in paragraph 3.1.6 in relation to whether the needs of LGBT people were being adequately considered and responded to, particularly in relation to sexual and mental health.

Representatives of the Leicester LGBT Centre and Trade Sexual Health had been invited to the meeting for this item.

Paul Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, LGBT Centre and Sal Khalifa, Director, Trade Sexual Health (Leicester) gave separate verbal presentations on issues they considered were important to the LGBT community.  The main issues arising from both presentations were:-

a)   The Community suffered from the same mental health issues as the population at large but also had specific issues associated with sexual orientation and identity.

b)   The organisations had produced numerous statistical analysis which could be made available to statutory organisations.

c)   Many statutory organisations did not understand how to deal with issues presented by members of the LGBT community and offered referred them to the voluntary sector groups who had inadequate budgets to deal with the issues adequately.

d)   There was an inequality of funding to voluntary groups working in the sector.  Some groups produced few services and received high levels of funding whilst others were achieving more and receiving inadequate funding.

e)   There were support needs for issues arising from Men Having Sex with Men (MSM), particularly where they were married or in heterosexual relationships.

f)    The LGBT community comprises diverse groups but are often seen as one group.

g)   Members of the community often access a range of services and just through one point of contact.

h)  Sexual health work should include an holistic approach involving issues of mental health, community, culture, family and upbringing etc.

i)    MSM have higher rates of suicidal thoughts and depression and this is not addressed adequately.  This group also have a higher and longer use of tobacco, alcohol and drug use which is often linked to unprotected sex.

j)    Black gay men and bisexuals are likely to have higher diagnosis rates of HIV.

k)   There are issues arising from religious groups often devaluing sexual practices.

l)    Scrutiny of the LGBT community should be carried out in various ways to address the varying groups within the community if it is to achieve effective outcomes.

m)  Younger peoples’ issues are often missed and this group can then take their issues forward into later life.

The Chair thanked both representatives for their comments and participation in the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the report be noted and that the issues be considered in future commissioning of services and that voluntary groups be invited to submit any analysis of LGBT community issues which they feel would be helpful in assisting the commissioning of services.

2)    That given the comments made by the representatives in the meeting, the Commission should consider the impacts of all aspects of its work in the proposed 2 year work programme and will also look specifically at Mental Health and Sexual Health issues in relation to the LGBT community and these will be added to the work programme.