Learning to grow up : Multiple Identities of Young Lesbians, Gay Men and Bisexual People in Northern Ireland

C. Loudes

This research endeavours to present aspects of the multiple identities and experience of young lesbians, gay men and bisexual people (LGB people) in Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on access to the health care system. The information presented in this report was collected through three focus groups with young LGB people, one with health service providers and three interviews with young LGB people. The research highlights that young LGB people in Northern Ireland encounter some important obstacles because of their multiple identities: they are exposed to prejudices, homophobia and violence. Furthermore, young LGB people experience isolation within society and sometimes within their families. When accessing health care services young people are often exposed to prejudices, human rights abuses and lack of structures tailored to their needs. Their experience of working in the health care system is not always positive. Indeed, some young people have been subjected to discrimination because of their sexual orientation. This report encourages health professionals, schools and decision-makers to give more weight to the multiple identities of young LGB people when designing their services, particularly in the application of section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and in the inclusion and extension of the EU Framework Directive on Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation in the Single Equality Bill. The government has a duty to respect the human rights of young LGB people and therefore should ensure their right to privacy and access to health and employment without discrimination. Finally, human rights institutions have a role to play in enhancing the rights of young LGB people in the exercise of their functions such as in the advice they provide on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland and in casework.