Bi Visibility Day important to highlight continued inequalities bi people face

Today we mark Bi Visibility Day!

Bisexual people face specific challenges which must be addressed in policymaking.

New research by Stonewall indicates that:

• Only one in five bi people (20 per cent) are out to all their family compared to three in five gay men and lesbians (63 per cent)

• Two in five bi people (42 per cent) hide or disguise their sexual orientation at work for fear of discrimination

As one respondent to Stonewall’s Bi Report said: ‘Being bisexual means finding yourself excluded by gay people and straight people in social settings. I only tell my friends about my sexuality, meaning it is hidden from my family and my work colleagues. Bisexuality is a hidden sexuality through people’s lack of acceptance.’ Kendra, 32 (Scotland) 

The APPG will host an event in collaboration with Stonewall to discuss the findings of this research and challenges facing bisexual people both in the UK and abroad.

First ever dedicated debate on LBT+ Women's Health Inequalities to take place in House of Commons

On Tuesday 10 March 2020, there will be a Commons debate on Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Women’s Health Inequalities, to mark LBT Women’s Health Week. The subject for debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee, and will be led by APPG LGBT+ Chair Crispin Blunt and member Hannah Bardell MP. It is the first time this subject has received a dedicated debate in the House of Commons, having last been last addressed back in 2014 in the House of Lords, led by our Vice-Chair Baroness Barker.

Resources

• The House of Commons Library has prepared a debate pack for Tuesday’s debate with useful background and links.

• The transcript of Baroness Barker’s oral question on improving health outcomes for lesbian, bisexual and trans women in the House of Lords on March 5.

• The National LGB&T Partnership has collated some facts and figures on LBT health inequalities.

• Stonewall has published a comprehensive Health Report on LGBT+ health as part of its LGBT in Britain research series with YouGov.

• Public Health England’s report Improving the health and wellbeing of lesbian and bisexual women and other women who have sex with women outlines the significant health inequalities, and specific barriers to services faced by lesbian, bisexual and other women who have sex with women (LBWSW) .

• Last year the Women and Equalities Select Committee published an inquiry on Health and Social Care and LGBT Communities.

• Cosmopolitan has published an article “Are queer women being failed by our healthcare system?“.

• The APPG LGBT+ has published a blog for Intersex Awareness Day with information on intersex issues.

• For more information please contact the APPG LGBT+ Coordinator (anna.robinson@appglgbt.org).

Baroness Barker to quiz the Government on LBT Women's Health Inequalities

Ahead of International Women’s Day & LBT Women’s Health Week, our Vice-Chair Baroness Barker will ask a question in the House of Lords on improving the health outcomes for lesbian, bisexual and trans women next Thursday 5 March.