FAQ - Pride Month 2024
What does LGBTQIA+ mean?
LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning), intersex, asexual, and others.
Why is access to health and social care important for LGBTQIA+ people?
The Hidden Figures: LGBT Health Inequalities in the UK report by the LGBT Foundation (2020) shows:
- 52% of LGBT people reported experiencing depression in the previous year. This includes 67% of trans people and 70% of non-binary people.
- 45% of trans young people (aged 11-19) and 22% of LGB young people have tried to take their own life. Among the general population the NHS estimates this figure to be 13% for girls and 5% for boys aged 16-24.
- 93% of LGBT specialists and service users consider that more work needs to be done to improve end of life services for LGBT people.
- 40% of trans people who had accessed or tried to access public healthcare services reported having experienced at least one negative experience because of their gender identity in the previous 12 months.
- 23% of LGBT people have at one time witnessed anti-LGBT remarks by healthcare staff.
In 2018 the UK government published an LGBT Action Plan, aiming to ensure that “LGBT people’s needs are at the heart of the National Health Service.” However, a British Medical Journal (BMJ) article in 2021, following the Covid pandemic, highlighted that inequalities still existed.
The Social Care Institute for Excellence highlights a number of concerns that LGBTQIA+ people have about social care services as they get older www.scie.org.uk/older-lgbtq-people-and-social-care These include:
- Concerns about receiving personal care services in their homes and the imperative to ‘de-gay’ their home environments and remove signifiers of non-normative sexualities and gender identities.
- Concerns about the anticipation of transphobic responses from staff and residents in care settings, alongside worries about losing personal autonomy over everyday presentation and bodily care.
- Avoidance of planning for the care they will need in later life due to fears about accessing care services, and potentially having to hide their sexuality or gender identity from care workers or fellow care home residents.
Healthwatch Liverpool champions the voices of local people to shape, improve and get the best from NHS, health and social care services. We seek out people’s experiences of these services, particularly those voices who are seldom heard, who might be at risk of health inequalities, and whose needs are not met by current services. As an independent statutory body, we have the power to make sure decision makers listen to your feedback.
What are your experiences of health and social care? Please get in touch!
Why is Pride Month important?
Pride Month is important because it marks the start of huge change within the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as in the wider community. Although attitudes and injustice still remain in this country (and, more particularly, in other parts of the world where LGBTQIA+ people can still face prison sentences and sometimes death), we have come a long way since the Stonewall Riots in New York in 1969, and we continue to raise awareness, improve the attitudes of society and encourage inclusiveness.
Why was June chosen?
Because it is when the Stonewall Riots took place, back in 1969.
What were the Stonewall Riots?
The riots were prompted by a police raid that took place during the early morning, at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York. The LGBTQIA+ patrons of the bar, and other members of the LGBTQIA+ community, held a series of spontaneous, often violent, demonstrations to protest against the raid and call for the establishment of places that LGBTQIA+ people could go and be open about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. In such places there should be no fear of being arrested. The riots served as a catalyst for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, and within 6 months, 2 gay activist groups had formed in New York. Over the years since the event, many LGBTQIA+ organisations and support groups have been formed around the world.
What is Pride?
It is a movement that celebrates sexual diversity and gender diversity. For LGBTQIA+ people it is a way of protesting about discrimination and violence, but it also focuses on promoting their dignity, equal rights and self-affirmation, and is a way of increasing society’s awareness of the issues they face.
Why doesn’t Liverpool hold its annual Pride event in June?
Liverpool holds its annual Pride event on a weekend close to the anniversary of the death of Michael Causer, an 18 year-old gay man who was murdered in a homophobic attack in 2008. He died on 2nd August that year, and Liverpool Pride works closely with the Michael Causer Foundation and Michael’s family to make sure that his death is not forgotten by the local LGBTQIA+ community, or the general public.
For further information about Michael see https://michaelcauser.co.uk
Everything you need to know about Pride in Liverpool 2024
This year’s Pride in Liverpool will be held on the weekend of Fri 26th – Sun 28th July, with the main parade happening on Sat 27th July. You can find more information at https://prideinliverpool.co.uk/festival/
Help and Support for LGBTQIA+ People
There are many organisations in and around Liverpool which offer support to the LGBTQIA+ community. For further information see:
Or contact us www.healthwatchliverpool.co.uk/contact-us
