Experiences of Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals

1
Experiences of Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals
Transgender People in Newham

• Nasim Patel
• Corporate Strategy Division
• 2003

2
Profile of Participants

• Newhams LGBT communities were consulted during
  Oct - Dec 2002.
• Total 224- Men 160 and 64 Women
• White 83 , non-white 17
• Disabled 15, non disabled 85
• Recruited through- stalls(Kali Angel),
  Vicarage Lane, London East Aids Network,
  Gingerbeer website.

3
How Many LGBT People in Newham?

• National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and
  Lifestyles suggests 10.5 men 6.9 women in
  London had had a homosexual partner.
• This is 8.6 of population overall
• And around 15,200 of the 16 population.

4
Homophobic incidents

• 42 victim of a homophobic incident -threats,
  blackmail, graffiti, abuse, violence.
• But 49 felt safe in their immediate
  neighbourhood.
• Reluctance to report to police. Reflected in
  Crown Prosecution Service survey, 18 of victims
  report homophobic incidents.

5
Multiple Victimisation

• 50 of those at school reported a homophobic
  incident.
• 80 of those being harassed at work, also had
  experienced a homophobic incident.

6
Income Employment

• 81 were employed with a majority working on a
  full time and self-employed basis.
• Income levels were broken down evenly
• 54 earning 15,000
• 56 earning 15,001-22,500
• 58 earning 22,501 -30,000
• 57 earning 30,001.

7
Employment Discrimination

• 22 were harassed due to their sexuality.
• 17 felt their career had been negatively
  affected.
• In the 2001 Newham employee attitude survey, 45
  agreed that Newham provides equality of
  opportunity for gay lesbian people but only a
  small number were LGBT.

8
Financial Discrimination

• 16 reported problems obtaining a mortgage or
  loan.
• A surviving same-sex partner is unlikely to
  receive pension benefits after their partners
  death.
• Contravenes Art 8 of Human Rights Act 98 but more
  likely to win rights under the new Employment
  Directive.

9
What LGBT Community are asking for in Newham...

• There are issues around access to pension rights.
• Issues around equal access to training and
  development opportunities.
• Need more advice and support facilities.
• More social activities to raise the communitys
  visibility.

10
Need more info?

• Email nasim.patel_at_newham.gov.uk
• or phone [phone]