LGBTI Survey Findings

LGBTI Survey Findings

Contents 1. Purpose and objectives 2. Methodology 3. A summary of the questionnaire 4. Participation of the communities 5. Respondents Profile 6. Spread of respondents across NSW 7. Background of the community 8. Aged Care & LGBTI 9. UnitingCare Ageing & LGBTI 10. Opinions 11. Community Needs 12. Key Points Identified 2

1. Purpose and objectives 3

Purpose & objectives Purpose: As a ministry of the Uniting Church, UnitingCare Ageing is responsible for providing services to older people, particularly those who are vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalised. The organisation was keen to develop an understanding and knowledge of the needs and aspirations for ageing of the LGBTI communities in order to cater to their community and care needs. Objectives: The survey was developed by UnitingCare Ageing and promoted throughout LGBTI Health Organisations and advertised throughout the gaynewsnetwork and mainstream media. Online survey tool was used to construct the survey and the communities were encouraged to participate in the survey. The survey aimed at gaining insights from LGBTI people in the communities to ensure inclusive aged care services, throughout UnitingCare Ageing. 4

2. Methodology 5

Methodology LGBTI Survey Total number of participants completing the survey n=212 Participation rate 65% Open to any individual who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex within NSW Online methodology was used over the fieldwork period. A few interviews were also conducted face-toface. Survey length: 5-8 mins Fieldwork dates: Nov 2012 early March 2013 6

3. A summary of the online survey questions 7

Online survey questions Topics covered a) Do you identify as LGBTI b) Please select your age-range. c) Are you: Employed, Unemployed, Retired, or Other d) Please tick the statement that best applies to you. I am completely unaware and unfamiliar with what UnitingCare Ageing does for older people I care for older people I am an advocate for social justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/ or intersex individuals I am a health or community service worker None of the above applies to me Q Please select the option that best describes the NSW region where you live. Q Please rate the following statements according to your level of agreement: I prefer not to disclose my sexuality when engaging with health and/or aged care services. I have had difficulties accessing health and/or aged care services because of prejudice about my sexuality. Q Please tick all the statements that apply to you. I am from a culturally and linguistically diverse background i.e. non-english speaking background I am from regional or rural area of NSW I am financially disadvantaged (e.g. I am living on a pension or other Centre link benefit) I am socially disadvantaged e.g. subjected to ethnic prejudice or cultural bias I am a veteran (includes a spouse widow, widower of a veteran ) I am homeless or feel that I am at risk of being homeless I have a mental illness or physical disability I struggle to cope with my care needs I am a care leaver None 8

Topics covered Online survey questions Q Please select one of the below responses that currently applies to you I am looking for aged care services for myself/ or my partner such as domestic assistance for shopping, laundry cleaning or food preparation. I have previously used aged care packages such as domestic assistance for shopping, laundry cleaning or food preparation. I currently use community aged care packages such as domestic assistance for shopping, laundry cleaning or food preparation. I am residing in a residential aged care service (nursing/hostel). None of the above applies to me. Q How important do you think the following Health and/or Aged Care Services and programs are to an older individual s quality of life specific to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex? Please rate them according to their importance. Q Do you feel that as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individual your aged care needs are met? Q If you were to look for an aged care service, for example residential aged care (nursing home) would you prefer a specific LGBTI service? Q Do you have any further comment on aged care needs for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex? 9

4.Participation 10

LGBTI Communities Representation Segments 7% 7% 1% 50% Lesbian Gay 35% Bisexual Transgender Intersex Lesbian women form the biggest section of participants in the survey with 50% representation. The next major group of respondents are gay men, with more than one-third of the representation i.e. 35%. In total lesbian women & gay men combined form 85% of the respondents who participated in the survey. The remaining 15% of the participants represent individuals who are bisexual, transgender or intersex. Source: Do you identify as LGBTI?/ Age-range/ Work status N=214 11

5. Respondents Profile 12

Respondents Profile Majority of the participants were more than 45 years old. One-third of the respondents belong to the age-group of 45-54 years. More than two-thirds of the participants were employed, followed by 16% of the respondents who were retired. Age-split Work Status Under 45 years 25% 45 54 years 55 64 years 65 74 years 75 84 years 85 years or over 0% 3% 11% 28% 33% 16% 8% Other 8% 69% Employed Unemployed Retired Source: Do you identify as LGBTI?/ Age-range/ Work status N=214 13

Demographics Lesbian Women & Gay Men 25% 23% Under 45 years 72% 67% 43% 31% 30% 45 54 years 5% 23% 55 64 years 9% 12% 8% 65 74 years 17% 13% Lesbian Age-split 4% 1% 75 84 years Work Status Lesbian 10% Gay Gay 7% Lesbian women had higher median age than gay men. More lesbian women were employed than gay men. Gay men who selected Other for their work status were mainly on a disability pension. Lesbian women who selected Other for their work status were in some of work such as selfemployed, part-time, or voluntary work. Some were also studying. Employed Unemployed Retired Other Source: Do you identify as LGBTI?/ Age-range/ Work status Lesbian n=105, Gay n=75 14

6. Spread of respondents across NSW 15

Regional Spread of the Community Highest number of the respondents i.e. 34% are from Sydney inner region. Another major proportion of the respondents are from Richmond Tweed region & Sydney Surrounds. The spread also represents a considerable proportion of respondents from regional NSW. 17% 34% Sydney Inner (CBD, Eastern suburbs, Inner West, Botany & surrounds) Sydney Outer (Hornsby, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Sutherland Shire & surrounds) Sydney Surrounds (Central Coast, Wyong, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains & surrounds) Hunter Region (Gloucester, Great Lakes, Cessnock & surrounds) 9% 0.5% 1% 0.5% 2% 4% 24% 8% Mid-North Coast Region (Clarence Valley, Port Macquarie, Nambucca & surrounds) Northern Region (Walcha, Tamworth, Moree Plains & surrounds) Central West Region (Lachlan, Orange, Lithgow & surrounds) Orana / North Western Region (Cobar, Dubbo, Mudgee & surrounds) Illawara and South Eastern Region (Wollongong, Shoalhoven, Bega Valley, Yass Valley & surrounds) Richmond Tweed Region (Lismore, Byron, Tweed & surrounds) Source: NSW region N=214 16

7. Background of the community 17

Background I am a health or community service worker 32% I am an advocate for social justice for LGBTI 27% I care for older people 10% None of the above applies to me 31% Almost one-third of the respondents are either health or community service worker either employed or voluntarily offering their services. More than a quarter of the respondents are an advocate for social justice for LGBTI. Source: Background - Please tick the statement that best applies to you N=214 18

Lesbian & Gay - Background A significant proportion of the lesbians are health or community service workers. The communities stand equally for advocacy of social justice for homosexuals. I am a health or community service worker 17% 44% Lesbian Gay I am an advocate for social justice for lesbian / gay 26% 29% I care for older people 10% 8% None of the above applies to me 20% 45% Source: Background - Please tick the statement that best applies to you Lesbian n=105, Gay n=75 19

LGBTI Current Status & Vulnerability I am from regional or rural area of NSW 25% I have a mental illness or physical disability I am financially disadvantaged e.g. I am living on a pension I struggle to cope with my care needs I am from a culturally and linguistically diverse background 10% 8% 17% 20% A quarter of the respondents were from regional or rural area of NSW. One-fifth of the respondents mentioned that they have a disability either mental or physical. I am socially disadvantaged e.g. subjected to ethnic prejudice I am a care leaver I am a veteran I am homeless or feel that I am at risk of being homeless 6% 3% 1% 0.5% 17% of the participants feel financially disadvantaged. Another one-tenth of the respondents struggle to cope with their care needs. None 47% *Note: Percentages do not add to 100 as multiple responses were allowed Source: Segment Background - Please tick all the statements that apply to you N=214 20

Current Status & Vulnerability Lesbian Women & Gay Men A large number of lesbian women & gay men represent regional NSW and face issues such as mental illness or physical disability. More gay men relate themselves to being financially disadvantaged and struggling to cope with their care needs. I am from regional or rural area of NSW I have a mental illness or physical disability I am financially disadvantaged e.g. I am living on a pension 10% 21% 19% 20% 23% 31% Lesbian Gay I struggle to cope with my care needs 8% 15% I am from a culturally and linguistically diverse background 6% 13% I am a care leaver 3% 5% I am socially disadvantaged e.g. subjected to ethnic prejudice 2% 9% I am a veteran (includes a spouse widow, widower of a veteran 1% None 43% 53% Source: Segment Background - Please tick all the statements that apply to you Lesbian n=105, Gay n=75 21

8. Aged Care & LGBTI 22

Aged Care & LGBTI: Thoughts of respondents All heterosexual carers should have an understanding of the feelings of lesbians/ gays. Anti-homophobia institutions are needed. I think it is wrong to include T&B person in this group. They have more rights than lesbians & gays. a lesbian woman Concern for ourselves and others if we both or one of us need nursing home care and how will we be treated in a faith based facility or any facility for that matter. We are afraid of discrimination by nursing home staff who are homophobic. a gay man As far as I am aware there is no specific LGBTI aged care network of facilities on the north coast. a gay As we can be less likely to have children or extended family support, services that recognise and respect LGBTI people are very important. a lesbian woman Better access to a useful information for retired LGBTI. - a gay man There are a lot of good things happening re inclusion from a national level and it would be good to see some LGBTI programs at a grass roots level - i.e. training programs for staff who would deliver services to older LGBTI residents and activities/ social programs for older LGBTI clientele. - a gay man Focus On The Care Needs Of The Individual. Their Sexuality Or Gender Identity Is Irrelevant. a transgender person There shouldn't be exemptions from anti-discrimination law for church-based service providers that are funded by government. My taxes should not be given to any organisation that is allowed to discriminate against me. a lesbian woman There are no services. This includes public hospitals that continue to exclude GLBTI partners into intensive care. a gay man Just that any facility needs to be tolerant of the lifestyles of aged members of our community. - an intersex person 23

Key words. The LGBTI communities strongly feel they desire recognition & respect, and aged care operators should provide equality in care without discrimination. They feel that aged care staff must be trained & educated to serve LGBTI individuals. recognition & respect afraid of discrimination training for the staff / training on diversity and acceptance focus on care / equality in care need to develop choice show that you are LGBTI friendly social and community needs 24

9. UnitingCare Ageing & LGBTI 25

Building a community connection There was a positive response for the work that UnitingCare Ageing is doing with the LGBTI communities. I'm glad people are starting to talk about and plan for the needs of ageing LGBTI people, as I believe there is a real, unmet need. a lesbian woman Thanks UnitingCare Ageing. a lesbian woman This is a complex issue which deserves considerable attention from our industry. The work UnitingCare Ageing is doing to promote LGBTI issues in aged care (and the wider community) is admirable. a bisexual person UnitingCare Ageing will do a great job to meet the needs of this population - you certainly provided a magnificent Community Aged Care Package (CACP) to my late grandmother who was Jewish. a lesbian woman 26

10. Barriers 27

LGBTI Opinion about disclosure of identity I prefer not to disclose my sexuality / gender when engaging with health and/or aged care services 35% 18% 32% 11% 18% 17% 4% Strongly Disagree Disagree Unsure Agree Strongly Agree Does not apply More than one-third of the participants i.e. 35% agree that they prefer not to disclose their sexuality and/ or gender when engaging with health and/ or aged care services. Source: Opinions Please rate your agreement level on the scale of Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree. N=214 28

LGBTI - Opinion about accessing services I have had difficulties accessing health and/or aged care services because of prejudice about my sexuality / gender 25% 16% 31% 17% 17% 8% 12% Strongly Disagree Disagree Unsure Agree Strongly Agree Does not apply Again a quarter of the respondents (25%) also agree that they have had difficulties accessing health and/ or aged care services because of prejudice about their sexuality/ gender. Source: Opinions Please rate your agreement level on the scale of Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree N=214 29

Opinion about disclosure of identity I prefer not to disclose my sexuality when engaging with health and/or aged care services Gay 29% 27% 9% 9% 20% 5% Lesbian 11% 37% 10% 23% 15% 4% Strongly Disagree Disagree Unsure Agree Strongly Agree Does not apply Lesbian women have a higher level of agreement i.e. 38% towards not disclosing their sexuality when engaging with health and/ or aged care services. Source: Opinions Please rate your agreement level on the scale of Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree Lesbian n=105, Gay n=75 30

Opinion about accessing services I have had difficulties accessing health and/or aged care services because of prejudice about my sexuality Gay 15% 29% 16% 21% 7% 12% Lesbian 15% 33% 14% 14% 9% 14% Strongly Disagree Disagree Unsure Agree Strongly Agree Does not apply Gay men have a higher level of agreement i.e. 28% towards facing difficulties accessing health and/ or aged care services because of prejudice about their sexuality. Source: Opinions Please rate your agreement level on the scale of Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree Lesbian n=105, Gay n=75 31

Opinions as reflected through the words of participants I m concerned about how my partner and I will be treated once we need aged care - particularly in an institutional setting; if aged and vulnerable, how will we manage if staff or other patients display hostility or homophobia. a lesbian woman One is met with a lot of prejudice e.g., I was once told by a staff member of XXXX Care that I wouldn't be entitled to community care irrespective of age or disability. a lesbian woman I live in XX and it is a very conservative area. My local church doesn't know I'm gay and they would be biased if they did. There is not social network for me, or general help. But I live with that because I'm happy with the surrounds-forests, fauna, etc... a gay man 32

11.Community Needs 33

Needs of LGBTI Communities A small number of the respondents, 8% are currently looking for aged care services for either themselves or their partners. Another small proportion of the LGBTI participants have either previously used aged care packages or are currently using the community care packages. I am looking for aged care services for myself/ or my partner 8% I have previously used aged care packages such as domestic assistance 2% I currently use community aged care packages such as domestic assistance 2% None of the above applies to me 88% Note: Respondents were not asked to provide the name of the aged care operator from whom they accessed the care packages. Those who are currently using or have previously used community care packages are not necessarily using packages from UnitingCare Ageing. Source: Segment Needs - Please select one of the responses that currently applies to you N=214 34

LGBTI Communities - Needs & Gaps Those currently using aged care packages: n=4 2 out of 4 respondents currently using aged care packages strongly disagreed with the statement - Generally, aged care staff understand my needs. 2 out of 4 respondents currently using aged care packages disagreed with the statement - I am presently satisfied with the services I receive. Those who previously used age care packages n=5 2 out of 5 respondents agreed to the statement - I discontinued the use of aged care package because my care needs were not met appropriately. Source: Segment Needs Please rate your level of agreement on the given statements. Base varies 35

What did the respondents say Are their aged care needs met? I am under 45 and have not experienced this for myself, but working in the industry I can see there is a great silence around the issue of sexual orientation and I believe most prefer to ignore the issue a bisexual person No, I am frightened to tell anyone about being a transgender women. I work in aged care and there is no training provided to staff in regards to GLBTI. The needs of the gay community are different to standard aged care and there needs to be an understanding and specific education provided a lesbian woman No - if I needed to access residential care I feel that it would not suit me at all, both intellectually and as a lesbian woman Currently, very little has been done by service providers, and only now is becoming a matter for attention. I applaud all the services looking into the need and will continue to support them and the current government initiatives a gay man Source: Segment Needs - Do you feel that as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individual your aged care needs are met? N=214, open end responses 36

LGBTI Communities What s important? LGBTI communities feel the strongest need for social connections within the communities and social support to plan & participate in social activities. The participants also emphasised on the need for support with dementia care. Social connections within the LGBTI communities 63% 23% 7% 2% 3% 2% Social support to plan and participate in social activities 57% 28% 2% 8% 2% 2% Support with Dementia Care 57% 25% 9% 3% 0.5% 5% Respite Care to enable a carer to take time out 55% 25% 10% 3% 0.5% 5% Nursing care such as wound dressing, support with taking medications or injections 55% 29% 9% 3% 0.5% 3% Medication and/ or pain management 55% 31% 8% 3% 3% Extremely important Fairly important Unsure Fairly unimportant Extremely unimportant Does not apply 0.5% Source: Segment Needs - How important do you think the following Health and/or Aged Care Services and programs are to an older individual s quality of life specific to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex? Please rate them according to their importance. N=214 37

LGBTI Communities What s important? Care for spiritual needs was ranked as one of the least important need for the community. Domestic assistance such as shopping, laundry cleaning 54% 32% 2% 6% 3% 3% Transport to appointments such doctors, social occasions 53% 34% 6% 1% 3% 3% Personal Care such as showering and dressing 50% 30% 11% 3% 2% 3% Home maintenance 43% 42% 7% 4% 2% 3% Food preparation 35% 42% 9% 8% 2% 4% Care for Spiritual needs 26% 25% 21% 11% 8% 10% Extremely important Fairly important Unsure Fairly unimportant Extremely unimportant Does not apply Source: Segment Needs - How important do you think the following Health and/or Aged Care Services and programs are to an older individual s quality of life specific to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex? Please rate them according to their importance. N=214 38

Is there a need for specific LGBTI service? When the respondents were asked if they would look for a specific LGBTI service if such a need arises 58% of the participants advocated it. o They said Yes, Absolutely, Definitely! 42% said no, specific services are not necessarily required. o They preferred to have a service which is LGBTI friendly, inclusive of all the communities, and made them feel included and respected. Yes No - not necessarily 42% 58% Source: If you were to look for an aged care service, for example residential aged care (nursing home) would you prefer a specific LGBTI service? N=214, open end responses 39

Words of respondents.. who prefer LGBTI specific service Definitely yes. In an acute care hospital I recall one Most definitely especially when one gets older and nurse was very rude to me as soon as she knew my more frail having the LGBTI community around you partner (of 17 years) was a woman. a lesbian woman during those years would make life easier and still have a social network. a gay man I know that elderly LGBTI would probably not be understood in aged care, I'm Jewish and I know that my Jewish community's care facilities would not cope with my perspectives of the world, sexuality and personal politics. I can only image how hard it must be for the rest of my Lesbian sisters. Its something we've all talked about as a significant issue. I would like specific Lesbian & Queer services. I have problems with non-feminist others i.e. misogynist Gays. a lesbian woman If I was to go into care now, I would probably look for somewhere specific or a NH that is sympathetic to LGBTI. a lesbian woman Yes only because I fear more discrimination - especially from a CHURCH organisation. a gay man Definitely. It is very difficult to explain your circumstances to service providers in rural areas. a gay man The respondents felt that they need specific LGBTI service to overcome discrimination and build their social network. Source: If you were to look for an aged care service, for example residential aged care (nursing home) would you prefer a specific LGBTI service? N=214, open end responses 40

Words of respondents.. who prefer LGBTI inclusive service Consistent with my life I am surrounded by both LGBTI and heterosexual friends and family. I would hope that, in time, residential aged care will be able to accommodate and celebrate diversity, as opposed to having a dedicated GLBTI residential aged care facility. If it was discovered that it was too difficult to accommodate diversity in residential aged care I would prefer to be accommodated in a specific LGBTI service rather than returning to the closet to fit facilities that only had programs for heterosexual clients. an intersex person Not particularly, but one that has integrated LGBTI diversity into the culture of the establishment. a gay man Not necessarily - but it must be a place where LGBTI issues are celebrated and incorporated into all aspects of the service. a lesbian woman Not especially as long as the facility catered to a diverse group of people with respect and dignity. - a gay man Not necessarily. But I would need to know that staff were trained to provide quality care specific to my needs with understanding and dignity. Also if I have to interact with other clients or residents, that staff support an accepting approach to diversity and address any discriminatory behaviours and comments made by others. a lesbian woman Other respondents felt that they need services which is integrated to the larger community such that diversity is celebrated. They also say that staff must be trained to have an inclusive approach to the needs of LGBTI people. 41

12. Key Points Identified 42

Key points from Survey Fear of disclosure of sexuality or identification of gender exists among individuals There exists gaps in the aged care services for LGBTI communities discrimination, particularly from church based organisation. The communities want to be respected and included. It is important for aged care operators to educate and train staff to provide services to the LGBTI communities. The findings indicate the importance of sending the message of inclusion and LGBTI friendly environments by health / aged care providers. Importance of aged care providers partnering with LGBTI organisations, communities and individuals. 43

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