We asked the LGBTIQA+ community what makes them feel welcome and safe when accessing health services

When it comes to LGBTIQA+ inclusion, we want to do more than just talk the talk. The voices of people with lived experience are invaluable, so we asked the LGBTIQA+ community and their allies at Midsumma Carnival what makes them feel welcome and safe when accessing health services.

We want to share these results and the steps we are taking to become a truly safe and inclusive organisation for LGBTIQA+ people.

Here’s what we learned:

• Visibility is important. You love to see LGBTIQA+ flags, posters and other visual signs that welcome diversity and inclusion
• You value when your healthcare provider empowers YOU to make informed decisions regarding your health
• You value seeing diversity in our staff
• You like it when people ask your pronouns and don’t assume your gender
• You want the option to record your pronouns, preferred name and gender at intake and have them saved on your record
• Seeing your health service attend Pride events helps build trust
• A smile goes a long way in creating a friendly, non-judgemental environment
• Size inclusivity is important – you know size does not dictate health and you want your healthcare provider to understand this

Here’s a snapshot of what we are doing to make our services inclusive to the LGBTIQA+ community:

• We are working towards Rainbow Tick Accreditation. BHN will undertake an assessment against these standards from 18-20 September this year.
• We display LGBTIQA+ affirming posters across all BHN sites, including a breakdown of the Pride Progress flag meaning.
• We’ve updated our client management system, TrakCare, so gender and pronouns can be added at Intake and stored on record. We are working to ensure all practitioners have adequate training to have these conversations with LGBTIQA+ clients safely.
• We will roll out LGBTIQA+ training to all staff to increase competency and knowledge.
• We are prioritising attendance at LGBTIQA+ community events including Midsumma and Chill Out Festivals.
• We have completed an Internal Policy and Process Audit through an LGBTIQA+ lens.
• We are working towards making BHN a Size-Inclusive organisation through community consultation and process overhaul.
• Email signatures and staff IDs will soon be updated across BHN to include pronouns if desired.

 

The above is not an exhaustive list of the activities underway to improve the experience and safety of LGBTIQA+ staff, volunteers and clients, and we are putting in the work to ensure we are a safe and inclusive organisation for everyone.

 

Any questions about the above? You can email rainbow@bhn.org.au with any questions. It is a safe space and only accessed by members of the Rainbow Tick Committee who will respond to your question.

 

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