“Getting to know us...” The LGBT Excellence Centre Wales is a social enterprise and a charity that supports Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people and promotes equality, diversity and human rights through gathering and sharing information and good practice. We provide: Advice Mediation Advocacy
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In the following areas: Benefits ● Bullying ● Civil Partnerships Coming Out ● Discrimination ● Domestic Violence ● Employment ● Funding ● Gender Identity ● Hate Crime ● Health ● Homelessness ● Housing Immigration ● Legal Matters ● Relationships Sexuality ● Sexual Orientation ●Social Care ● Volunteering
Support Information and Advice LGBT Excellence Centre Provides an all-Wales helpline for sexual orientation and gender identity issues (www.ecwales.org.uk) 0800 023 2201 Unique UNIQUE is a voluntary organisation supporting trans-gendered people in North Wales and West Cheshire. (www.uniquetg.org.uk) Depend An organisation offering free, non-judgemental advice, information and support to all family members, spouses, partners and friends of transsexual people in the UK. (www.depend.org.uk)
Gender Trust Supporting all those affected by gender identity issues (www.gendertrust.org.uk)
Guidance
GIRES A wealth of information for trans people, their families and the professionals who care for them (www.gires.org.uk) Press for Change can advise on all gender identity matters (www.pfc.org.uk)
Counselling Services LGBT Excellence Centre 0800 023 2201
Beaumont Society An established transgendered support group with a support network in the UK (www.beaumontsociety.org. uk)
Gender Identity and Social Care
Photography © LGBT Excellence Centre and Juliana Kammerlander
This leaflet is part of a series on gender identity produced by the LGBT Excellence Centre Wales with funding from Awards for All.
LGBT Excellence Centre Suite 1 & 2 376, Newport Road Cardiff CF23 9AE Freephone: 0800 023 2201 Web: www.ecwales.org.uk Email: info@ecwales.org.uk
LGBT Excellence Centre Unleashing Wales’ Potential Empowering communities to flourish I n par tne rs hip w ith
Local services should develop sound policies to prevent discrimination and should consider bringing in accredited equality diversity experts to give workplace talks and workshops.
The Law The Single Equality Act 2010 makes it clear that it is unlawful to discriminate on grounds of gender and gender reassignment.
Trans-Forming Social Care Many trans people are concerned that social workers and front line staff have no understanding of trans issues therefore trans people do not divulge to them and so remain ‘invisible.’
The Issues
The Gender Recognition Act 2004 enables transsexual people to apply for 'gender recognition' and those born in the UK can obtain a new birth certificate. Gender recognition will mean that transsexual people must be treated fully as of their new sex for all legal purposes.
When professionals enter a transgender person‟s house they must at all time respect the chosen gender of the residents and avoid inappropriate questions. That workers do not understand the difference between transgender, transsexual, transvestite and
therefore comment inappropriately. When people do not understand, or are unsure how to address someone, ask politely by beginning, “May I ask….” The trans person has the right to refuse.
In the use of public facilities transgender people need to make the choice that they are comfortable with.
Staff policies need to reflect a zero tolerance stance toward transphobia.
Staff training should include imparting an understanding of the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation.
Suggested Reading Engendered Penalties: Transgender and Transsexual People’s Experiences of Inequality and Discrimination The Equalities Review (www.pfc.org.uk/files/EngenderedPenalties.pdf) Trans Research Review (www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/research/ trans_research_review_rep27.pdf) Some good practice: It is illegal to prevent a trans person using facilities, such as toilets, according to their chosen gender. It is not necessary to generate new contracts/agreements unless someone has changed their name by deed poll. However, details should be changed when asked to do so as a matter of respect. When filling out paperwork never use quotes when writing “his” or “her” or a name i.e. “Georgina.” On all monitoring forms seek advice from accredited LGBT organisations about the correct wording. Special cases should be allowed for trans people who wish to move away from their current location. Local authorities often will not consider people outside the local area. Awareness training for ambulance staff and others Be aware of who a trans person is „out‟ to—don‟t make assumptions