Agility Communication & Connections - Diversity of Our Communities
Do you exclude people by treating everyone the same?
The older people who receive aged care services reflect the wonderful diversity of our communities.
Many facilities and services celebrate that diversity by honouring events that resonate with our clients; Ramadan, NAIDOC, Chinese New Year, ANZAC Day and Rosh Hashanah to name a few.
With best practise principles in mind, they involve the residents and clients in their planning and in the activities that take place.
These are some of the initiatives that make services stand out; that can gain media attention for their activities and that make the older people using their services feel valued, included and understood.
However, there is one sector of the aged community, who are more likely to feel excluded then included when using services. That is the community of people who are gay, lesbian, transsexual, bi-sexual and intersex, (LGBTI).
There are many reasons that LGBTI people may feel insecure and frightened about having community aged care staff members come to their house or by the need to move into an aged care facility.
Many people have suffered persecution and discrimination in their earlier years, (and quite possibly in their later years as well), resulting in a fear of how they will be treated by strangers coming into their home or providing them with a home.
That might mean hiding photos and valued objects rather than ‘come out’ to services and facilities. It might be wishing to, but being unable to hide body differences. This can make an older LGBTI person highly vulnerable, dependent on necessary services; while being intimidated and fearful of them.
In recognition of this, the Federal Government introduced the National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care strategy in 2012. The strategy is a commitment to ensuring the needs of elder LGBTI people are understood, respected and addressed in Australia’s aged care policies, programs and services.
Removing the “fear” associated with carers
Is there still a need in 2016?
It is estimated that 11% of the population is LGBTI, therefore you are almost certainly supporting LGBTI people.
Although we seem to have come a long way in our treatment of LGBTI Australians, those who are older have lived through a time in Australian history when they suffered stigma, criminalisation, discrimination, family rejection and social isolation. They have lived most of their lives aware that disclosing their gender identity could result in arrest and imprisonment, psychiatric incarceration and enforced ‘cure treatment.’ 1
A short history
In Victoria, it was not until late 1980 that legislation was introduced to remove homosexual offences from criminal law. In NSW it wasn’t until 1984 that the Crimes Act was amended to decriminalise sexual conduct between consenting adult males.
Other states differ in their timing of law reform, with South Australia the first state to legalise sexual conduct between males in 1975 and the last gay man arrested and sentenced to eight months’ jail was in Hobart in December 1984. 2
Also in 1984, only 30 or so years ago, The Australian Medical Association agreed to remove homosexuality from its list of illnesses and disorders.
For some of us, Sydney’s Mardi Gras, a hugely popular annual event that is televised nationally is evidence that we like and respect our LGBTI friends and family. Few remember that it began in 1978 as the largest gay rights march in Australia, commemorating the 9th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Of the 2,000 odd demonstrators, 53 were arrested on charges of offensive behaviour and resisting arrest.
We treat all of our clients equally
It may not be a matter of treating LGBTI people poorly, but rather treating them the same as everyone else. Our history of abuse and discrimination against LGBTI people in the past means that taking steps to include LGBTI people requires a different approach.
Today’s environment
It is in recognition of the impact criminalisation of homosexuality and on-going discrimination faced by many gay lesbian bi-sexual transgender and intersex people have faced and may continue to face that the National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care strategy was introduced.
It was also recognised that LGBTI people are not one homogenous group and that making services inclusive to all means a range of changes are required, thus the Rainbow Tick Standards were introduced. Organisations who comply with these standards can apply to receive the Rainbow Tick Accreditation.
Respecting and embracing LGBTI
The Rainbow Tick Standards
In 2013, Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV) and Quality Innovation Performance(QIP) worked together to develop the Rainbow Tick Standards and related resources.
The Rainbow Tick supports organisations to understand and implement LGBTI inclusive service delivery and reassures LGBTI consumers and staff that Rainbow Tick organisations will be aware of, and responsive to their needs.
Organisations that are Rainbow Tick accredited are demonstrating their commitment to LGBTI pride, diversity and inclusion. They are letting their LGBTI consumers, staff and community know that they will receive inclusive services from the moment they step through the door. 3
A business opportunity
More and more organisations are seeing both the importance and the business sense in being inclusive of all clients and residents including those who are LGBTI. Where to start can feel overwhelming. But there is plenty of help about.
At Agility, we have assisted Aged Care organisations to audit and edit their forms, ensure that images on websites and in social media are diverse and truly reflect the whole community, write brochures and other communications to ensure that they are inclusive and provide staff training.
There are many organisations around to support organisations and businesses to become inclusive either through undergoing the formal Rainbow Tick Accreditation process or by applying the standards without accreditation. The following places can help or are a good starting place:
- National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Ageing and Aged Care Strategy - https://www.dss.gov.au/search/search/lgbti
- The National LGBTI Health Alliance (peak health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people (LGBTI) and other sexuality, gender, and bodily diverse people and communities. http://lgbtihealth.org.au/
- Val’s Café provides a range of free resources and information to assist and inform service providers to become LGBTI inclusive - http://valscafe.org.au/
- My Aged Care Website - http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/eligibility-diverse-needs/lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-and-intersex
- Gay Lesbian Health Victoria - http://www.glhv.org.au/glhv-programs
- Agility Communication and Connections - http://www.agilitycommunication.com.au/
Noelene Gration
Noelene is Founder and Director of Agility Communication and Connections, a Communications and Marketing business specialising in aged care and disability. Noelene started her working life as a nurse and now provides services to agencies on inclusive communications, social media, PR, copy writing, research and staff and community engagement and much more. She is delighted to be helping organisations in the aged care and disability sectors to communicate well, to engage passionately and to excel.
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- Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (L G B T I) Ageing and Aged Care Strategy 2012 Page 4
- http://www.alga.org.au/files/towardsequality2ed.pdf
- Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria http://www.glhv.org.au/glhv-programs Accessed June 5, 2016
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