by LGBT Youth Scotland

1. LGBT Awareness
Training

2. Lesbian - a woman who is emotionally and/or physically attracted to
other women.
Gay - someone who is emotionally and/or physically attracted to people
of the same gender.
Bisexual - someone who is emotionally and/or physically attracted to
people of more than one gender or regardless of gender.
Language & Identities

3. Transgender - An umbrella term for those whose gender identity or
expression differs in some way from the gender assigned to them at
birth and conflicts with the ‘norms’ expected by the society they live in.
Intersex - A person whose chromosomes, reproductive organs or
genitalia vary in some way from what is traditionally considered male or
female in terms of biological sex.
Language & Identities

5. Experiences of LGBT
Young People

6. • Sample of 684 - largest sample in Scotland
• Ages 13-25, with the average age of 19
• 36% gay/lesbian; 30.6% bisexual, 11% queer, 11% pansexual​
• 33.5% identified as transgender
• 19.5% identified as non-binary or described their gender in another
way (6% in 2012)​
Research Findings
(2017-2018)

7. Education
71% of LGBT young people
experienced bullying in school
on the grounds of being LGBT.
This is a rise from 69% in 2012
and 60% in 2007.
82% of transgender young
people experienced bullying in
school, an increase from 77% in
2012.

8. • 48% of LGBT young people and 58% of transgender young
people were aware of their rights under hate crime legislation.
• 35% of LGBT young people said that they had experienced a
hate crime or incident in the past year.
• Transgender young people were slightly more likely (41%), and
non-binary young people were the most likely (51%)
Safety

9. Percentage of young people who
felt that they experienced the
following mental health problems
and related behaviours
Mental Heath
% young people who felt that they experienced
mental health problems and related behaviours

10. 53% of LGBT young people
said that their local area is a
good place to live, similar to
2012 findings.
Community

11. Care Experienced Young
People
https://www.lgbtyouthincare.com/video-resources/
Q - What are the experiences of LGBT young people in care?
Q - What did they say would help?

12. • Same sex couples able too adopt since 2009.
• 2016 provided the highest amount of same-sex
adoptions since records began, with 1 in every 18
adoptions involved a same-sex couple.
• In 2016, nearly 2,500 young people had ben adopted by
same sex couples in Scotland, England and Wales
-New Family Social, UK LGBT Adoption and Fostering Charity (2017)
LGBT Fostering and
Adoption

13. Understanding
‘Coming Out’

14. • Pre-coming out
• Coming out to self
• Coming out to others
• Identity exploration
• Identity integration
Source: Coleman’s Model of Coming Out (1980)
Coming Out

15. Coming Out – Top Tips
• DON’T say ‘I thought so’ / ‘it’s just a phase’
• DON’T assume you know what the young person
needs
• DON’T tell anyone unless you are concerned
about their wellbeing

16. Coming Out – Top Tips
• DO ask open and reflective questions – without
intruding
• DO ask if the young person has a sense of what they
would like from you
• DO go at the young person’s pace
• DO remain available for further support

17. Supporting LGBT Young
People

18. LGBT Young People’s Rights:
You have the right to live in a home where you and your identity are
respected
-You have a right to use a bathroom you feel comfortable in
-You have the right to wear clothes and style your hair in a way that
makes sense for you
-You have the right to use the name and pro-noun you feel comfortable
with
-You have right not to be harassed or hurt because of your identity
-You have the right to access groups and have friends that are LGB or T
www.lgbtyouthincare.com

19. Supporting LGBT Young
People:
Scenarios

20. 1. Don’t make assumptions - regarding their sexual orientation
or gender identity
2. Do challenge homophobic, biphobic and transphobic
comments
3. Don’t impose gendered stereotypes on children and young
people (dolls are for girls)
4. Don’t pressure someone into discussing their LGBT identity
OR to ‘come out’
5. Do go at a pace that is right for them
Top Tips

21. 1. Don’t ‘feel’ like you have to have all the answers
2. Do make information available to young people including
local support groups
3. Don’t make an assumption that being LGBT will be risky or is
a negative thing
4. Don’t overshare information people – follow your procedures
5. Do take steps to show you are LGBT inclusive
Top Tips

22. Inclusive Environments
• Important for governing bodies, staff and young people for representation,
protection and inclusion.
• LGBT Charter Mark – Foundations, Bronze, Silver & Gold. Process of
accreditation to ensure your policies, practice and legislative obligations
are up to standard to ensure all LGBT people that work or use your services
feel included and are protected if they do experience prejudice and
discrimination.
• Marking Commemorative Days; Pride, National Coming Out Day, Trans Day
of Visibility, International Women’s Day etc.
• Equalities monitoring
• Posters, flyers and resources that are inclusive of LGBT identities

23. Don’t panic – you can do this!

24. Thank You
& Questions
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk