Background to the Research

• To date, there has been little research focussing specifically on the identities, needs and rights of young LGB people in NI. This research, part of a larger publication on the experiences of people with multiple identities, focuses on these very issues.
• Recurrent issues within the literature focusing on young LGB people and health within and outside of NI include:
  • The invisibility of young LGB people;
  • The diversity amongst young LGB people;
  • The lack of relevant sex education and access to tailored sexual health services;
  • The high number of suicides, drug-abuse, self-harm and mental health issues amongst young LGB people;
  • The denial of human rights for young LGB people.
    

Research Approach

• The research was informed by a literature review, focus groups and interviews. Three focus groups, organised through support groups, took place with a total of 24 young LGB people. One focus group was held with service providers, while interviews took place with three young LGB people (two men and one woman).
  

Main Findings

• Several aspects of youth identity were discussed during focus groups, the most important of which was 'coming out'. Other issues mentioned were internalised homophobia, multiple identities of participants and the invisibility of gay teen culture.
• Young LGB people in NI are shown to encounter some important obstacles because of their multiple identities: they are exposed to prejudices, homophobia and violence. Lack of support was also a major issue, especially in rural areas. The culture in Northern Irish society was noted not to be conducive to coming out for young people.
• Multiple identities were found to be central to the lives of young LGB people in NI, with their gender and where they live being significant.
• An invisibility of the LGB culture underpins the sense of isolation amongst young LGB, which is experienced within society and sometimes within their own family. Lack of support and understanding are common problems, with youth groups being identified as central to overcoming this isolation.
• Participants felt that the media has a role to play in presenting positive role models for young LGB people, to ease the acceptance of their own identity. The media could contribute to creating a climate of openness and understanding around LGB issues.
• Young LGB people often experience institutionalised heterosexism, isolation and high levels of violence. Participants in all the focus groups mentioned the particularly oppressive nature of NI society in relation to LGB lifestyle, with this moral disapproval being apparent at every life stage, especially at school.
• When accessing health care services young people are often exposed to prejudices, human rights abuses and lack of structures tailored to their needs. The lack of information and tailored services to deal with the sexual health needs of young LGB people was a big issue.
• Their experiences of working in the health care system were not always positive, with some young people reporting that they have been subjected to discrimination because of their sexual orientation.

Conclusions

• This research highlights the fact that the experience of young LGB people in NI is characterised by four elements: invisibility, denial of human rights, isolation of young LGB people and diversity amongst young LGB people.
• Health professionals, schools and decisions-makers are encouraged 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 NI 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.
• Human rights institutions are noted to 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 NI and in casework.