Social Inclusion, Exclusion and Resiliance: A Social View of Health

Exclusion and its Impacts

KEY MESSAGES:

• Negative social attitudes (homophobic, transphobic) still prevalent, especially in rural and remote areas, also in less than subtle ways in the media, legislative change is not enough, must work to change social attitudes
• Responsive to negative attitudes, through research, speaking to separate enquiries puts the evidence on public record, even if it is not acted upon at the time, e.g. not so private lives - senate inquiry manage e.g. Tas Present GLB and suicide stats to National Suicide Prevention Policy inquiry

Friday 14:00-14:30 TRANSPHOBIA: THE GOOD NEWS AND THE BAD NEWS

Damien Riggs, Flinders University

Contact: contact@damienriggs.com

PRESENTER’S BIO:

Damien Riggs is a lecturer in social work at Flinders University. He is the author of numerous books including Priscilla, (white) queen of the desert and Becoming Parent: Lesbians, gay men and family. He is the editor of the Australian Psychology Society journal Gay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology Review

ABSTRACT:

This paper explores, from a range of perspectives, some of the issues facing researchers and practitioners in relation to transphobia, and explores some ideas relating to what could potentially constitute trans-positive practices within the discipline of psychology. The paper begins by briefly examining a number of instances of transphobia within the international media in order to highlight the mundane (though no less violent) ways in which transhobia continues to play out. The paper then moves on to briefly present some findings from recent South Australian research with non-trans people in relation to their attitudes toward transpeople, and in particular highlights that, in general, participants were positive towards transpeople. Finally, the paper explores the author's own experiences as a family and relationship counsellor working with transgender young people. The paper concludes by drawing on these three differing vantage points on transphobia - both those that suggest it continues in more complex and all the more insidious ways, and those that suggest the experiences of transpeople are slowly becoming more intelligible to non-trans communities - and proposes a number of key issues that are at stake in working with trans people in ways that move beyond simplistic (and indeed often normative) inclusion, and which instead recognise the diverse experiences of transpeople themselves.

Friday 14:30-15:00 NOT SO PRIVATE LIVES: NATIONAL FINDINGS ON RELATIONSHIP RECOGNITION AND DISCLOSURE, MAINSTREAM APPRAISAL, AND THE WELL-BEING OF SAME-SEX ATTRACTED AUSTRALIANS

Sharon Dane, The University of Queensland

Contact: s.dane@psy.uq.edu.au; www.notsoprivatelives.com

PRESENTER’S BIO:

Sharon Dane has been researching the unique role of positive mainstream appraisal when taking into account the support already received from those sharing a person's sexual-minority status.  She received The Australian Psychological Society's Gay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology Award in 2004 for best 4th year/Masters research report in this area.  She is in the final stages of her PhD candidature at The University of Queensland.  She is Deputy National Convener of Australian Marriage Equality and presented her recent research findings as a witness at the hearing of the Senate inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009.

ABSTRACT:

Not So Private Lives was a national survey conducted in 2009, involving over 2000 same-sex and/or same-gender attracted Australians.   The survey was the first to examine same-sex attracted Australians preferences for various forms of relationship recognition since the introduction of de facto status for same-sex couples at a federal level.  Results showed that the majority of participants selected marriage as their personal choice with this preference greater among younger participants. Findings were presented at the 2009 Senate marriage equality inquiry hearing. The survey also included hypothetical scenarios, depicting a social gathering, to assess the stage at which people prefer to convey the nature of their attractions and/or relationships to others  while anticipating varying reactions (i.e., possibly favourable, possibly unfavourable, and reaction unclear).  Significant differences were found between people currently in a relationship and those not.  Importantly, these differences were found to be significant even when first taking into account a persons reported level of well-being.  Additionally, for those partnered, decisions to discuss their relationship with others were related to factors independent of perceived partner support or relationship satisfaction.  These findings are discussed in relation to the way heterosexual individuals are generally free to discuss the nature of their relationships in their everyday conversations and in relation to results from recent experimental studies in Australia on the reactions of heterosexual individuals to upfront disclosure of same-sex/gender relationships.   The survey also focused on the role of positive mainstream appraisal in relation to well-being.  Results highlight the unique importance of perceptions of acceptance from various sectors, even while taking into account the contribution of LGBTI friendships and LGBTI community support. Differences based on gender identity (male, female, and gender different) and age-group are discussed for all findings.  Separate findings, where appropriate, are provided for transgender, transsexual and intersex participants.

Friday 15:00-15:30 DISCRIMINATION LEADS TO SUICIDE INTHE LGBTI COMMUNITIES - EXPLORING REGIONAL PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Julian Punch & Stephen Edwards, Tasmanian Council for Sexual & Gender Diverse People Inc

Contact: jpunch@tassie.net.au; www.comingoutproud.org

PRESENTERS’ BIO:

Dr Stephen Edwards is a GP working in rural Tasmania who specialises in Geriatrics and Palliative Care. A member of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual and Gender Diverse People, he is passionate about changing the culture leading to gay youth suicide and also creating charity-run LGBT communities for the elderly or disabled. Julian has been involved as a Priest and Social Worker in community development for thirty years in Tasmania along side his work as an activist to bring about radical social change and  self determination. Over the last five years he has worked with a team of people to establish greater self determination and advocacy through four regional Community Liaison Committees for local sexual & gender diverse communities as endorsed by local government.  This has led to the establishment of the Tasmanian Council for Sexual & Gender Diverse People Inc  also incorporating the Outright Youth Program, the League of Gentlefellows  and  the Coming Out Proud Trust. He received the Order of Australia Award in 1991 for 'services to disadvantaged and homeless youth'.  In 1993, he received the Tasmanian Award for Humanitarian Activities from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission .

ABSTRACT:

Tasmanian Council for Sexual & Gender Diverse People Inc Workshop  Discrimination Leads to Suicide in LGBTI Communities-Exploring Regional Prevention Strategies.  The Council aims through four regional Coming Out Proud Community Liaison Committees in the regions of Tasmania, and in partnership with Local Government to assist GLBTI people in the Regions to ‘come out with pride and live in their community with dignity as fully respected and participating members’.  COPP is supported, self determined and funded by a regional social database of over 1500 members.  COPP will present a structured and interactive workshop involving Conference Participants from relevant Stakeholder Groups including vulnerable population groups. This would include special organisations as well as mainstream service providers in health, education, police & law operating at regional levels in the State.  A workshop presentation (20 mins), (Powerpoint Slides) including interaction with participants will be made by Julian Punch (State Coordinator) and Dr Stephen Edwards a medical practitioner in the Huon Region and member of the Kingborough Huon COP Community Liaison Committee.  The presentation will explore the contention that as a minority group experiencing discrimination the incidence of health and well being issues including self harm and suicide is at a substantially higher level in the sexually and gender diverse community than in other sections of the Community . These factors & issues will be considered in the design of successful prevention and cultural awareness strategies at local & regional areas.  The COPP Trust has raised and allocated $8000 for four regionally developed projects in community based GLBTI suicide prevention strategies.