East Sussex Older People Provider Forum 23 rd January 2013

1. East SussexOlder People Provider Forum 23rd January 2013 Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) people in later life Claire Debenham ESCC Jackie Langley Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance Ken Ashworth and Derek Andrews, Eastbourne Rainbow

2. We don’t have any LGBT service users? 4.5x as likely to have no children to call on in times of need. Often have good friends network, but 2x as likely as straight people to rely on external services for support • 5 – 7% LGB people in East Sussex. • 6,628-9,280 men and women of ‘pensionable age’ (ESiF) • 2x as likely to be single; 2.5x times as likely to live on their own 2

3. The fears of older LGB people ‘I am concerned that people I might have to live with would be anti- gay bigots and not see me for the normal human being that I am’ ‘ I worry that we won’t have the privacy we need to show affection or be able to share a room. Even holding hands is still unacceptable publicly between same-sex couples’ (Stonewall 2012) • “Remember, we started out life as criminals. Homosexuality was illegal until 1967 so many of us lived in fear of being caught, losing our jobs and even our families.” • “We were either to be pitied and ‘saved’, treated and ‘cured’ or locked away.” () 3

4. A personal issue – best not raised? Being stared at like a ‘freak’ by staff and crying after they had left (transgender woman) People remove all signs of their identity e.g. partner’s picture, in order to avoid prejudiced reactions • Stress of ‘coming out’ to each new worker – may be confidentiality issues too • Negative reactions from staff involved in assessment and delivery of services ‘Close to Home’ EHRC 2011 4

5. ‘It is the organisation that needs to ‘come out’ as gay or lesbian friendly rather than depending upon clients to ‘come out’ in order to get their needs met’ (Age Concern- Opening Doors, 2001) Learn what being ‘gay and trans friendly’ means. Reflect this in your literature and policies Develop equality policy that is explicit about LGB and T people Be sensitive to needs and fears of LGBT people Train and support staff Support older gay people to attend gay friendly social events Work with LA to share best practice What works? Clear policies, support and advice

6. Equality Act 2010 Public Sector duties Responsibilities of employers and service providers Individual employee responsibilities in law http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/ To treat people as individuals and promote each person’s dignity, privacy and independence. To acknowledge and respect people’s gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, race, religion, culture and lifestyle. ESCC Nursing and residential care outcomes framework 2011 The legal context

7. One of your service users, Alice, has told a member of staff that she is a lesbian, that no one else knows and that she feels very lonely. What might you be able to do to help in that situation? You are going to put together some new publicity material for your service. What does it need to include to show LGB and T people that you welcome them? Questions for you

8. Thank you • Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance info@hrra.org.uk 07505 819344http://www.hrra.org.uk • Eastbourne Rainbow, 50+ social grouphttp://www.eastbournerainbow.co.uk/ Derek@eastbournerainbow.org.uk • Claire Debenham, Service Development Manager- EqualityClaire.debenham@eastsussex.gov.uk 01273-481386