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Safe space for LGBT people in older people’s services

Safe space for LGBT people in older people’s services. Petra Davis, Housing Policy Officer Brighton & Hove City Council (01273) 293288 petra.davis@brighton-hove.gov.uk. Increased statutory obligations around sexual and gender identities Tighter restrictions on service commissioning

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Safe space for LGBT people in older people’s services

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  1. Safe space for LGBT people in older people’s services Petra Davis, Housing Policy Officer Brighton & Hove City Council (01273) 293288 petra.davis@brighton-hove.gov.uk

  2. Increased statutory obligations around sexual and gender identities Tighter restrictions on service commissioning Demonstrably equal services for the whole community Local and national research show LGBT exclusion from services Supporting People Strategy LGBT people’s Housing Strategy The institutional case for monitoring

  3. The ethical case for monitoring • Service user experience • Levels of LGBT population • To help address experiences of discrimination

  4. Barriers to coming out • Lifetime’s experience of institutional discrimination • Fears about older people’s services • Fears about confidentiality • May be first contact with services • May be being forced to move away from safe area • Current media focus on LGBT issues

  5. Celebrating Age – reactions from older LGBT participants “Is Sheltered Housing open to gay people now?” “I’m not open about who I am, there’s no way. Where I live, they don’t understand…if there’s a story on TV or in the paper, people say awful things and no one says anything to stop them. How can I tell them I’m one of the people they hate so much?”

  6. Celebrating Age – reactions from providers Provider: What's this all about then? Me: It's a stall providing information for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older people, or those who provide for them. Provider: Oh, well we don't have that problem. If not – why not?

  7. What makes a safe space? • Visibly out LGBT staff and/or service users • Positive images and information for LGBT people • Activities suitable for LGBT people • Effectively tackling discrimination from service users or staff • Training in LGBT awareness • Policy and operational support around LGBT issues • Clear and well-understood organisational goals around LGBT accessibility • Sharing goals with service users • Sharing best practice with other organisations • Keeping in touch with LGBT community sector organisations • Ask your LGBT service users!

  8. Gay and grey: lifting the lid on sexuality and ageing – Help and Care Development Ltd, 2006 Housing options for older LGBT people in Scotland – ODS ltd., 2005 Lesbian, gay and bisexual lives over 50 – Brian Heapley, Andrew Yip, and Debbie Thompson, 2003 Opening doors to the needs of older lesbians, gay men and bisexuals – Age Concern, 2002 Precis #67: housing and support needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Scotland – ODS ltd., 2005 Shaping futures: LGBT people growing older – CRFR, University of Edinburgh, 2004 The whole of me – a resource pack – Age Concern, 2006 Help is available!

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