This is the reality of being a same-sex attracted woman in the ACT

Posted on 19 August, 2019

The Women’s Centre for Health Matters, with the support from the AIDS Action Council, surveyed almost 400 same-sex attracted women in the ACT to find out their greatest health concerns, habits and needs.

The results provide a deep insight into the wellbeing of same-sex attracted women across Canberra as they juggle work demands, home, friends and family commitments, and the increasing social and economic pressures.

Those surveyed were women (cis-gendered, gender diverse, trans, and intersex) who are sexually and/or romantically attracted to women. This includes women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, gay, queer, and asexual.

This survey reinforces the growing body of evidence indicating that the needs of sex and gender diverse women are distinct from both the general population’s and each other’s.

Due to their individual experiences of discrimination and stigma, as well as the structural forces of heteronormative bias, these women face multiple barriers to good health.

To overcome these challenges, appropriate health and wellbeing policies, community initiatives, and other service responses must be developed.

These need to be informed by an understanding of the individual health needs of these population groups, as well as their experiences of mainstream health services.

The findings of this research demonstrate the importance of inclusive health services that are informed by an understanding of same-sex attracted women’s lives. They also show the importance of providing health information that is representative of the diversity of women’s lives.

The information gathered by this research can help improve health responses and information provision, which are necessary for all women to maintain a good understanding of health and wellbeing. It is also an important contribution to making Canberra a more inclusive community that better understands the needs and experiences of same-sex attracted women.

The survey produced some interesting, and some troubling, results including the finding that 60% of women rated their mental health fair, poor or very poor. This is significantly higher than women in the general population, with 40% rating their mental health as fair, poor or very poor in the ACT Women’s Health Matters! 2018 report.

Bisexual and pansexual women reported poor or very poor mental health compared to lesbian women. Self-rated mental health improved with age. 68% of women aged 55 years and above rated their mental health as good or excellent, compared to only 31% of women aged between 16 and 24.

A startling number of trans women surveyed listed mental health as one of their top three health issues. Studies show trans women have poorer mental health than other populations of women. They have higher levels of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, body dysmorphia, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and gender dysphoria.

While we know that women who are trans do have a higher frequency of mental health difficulties than the general population, it is important to emphasise that this is not because they are not cis-gendered and not because they are trans, this occurs largely due to external factors–in other words, how the world perceives and treats trans people. This is called minority stress.

More alarming evidence from the research suggests that half of respondents had experienced sexual, domestic or family violence (59%), and 13% had experienced all three types of violence. Of the women who had experienced violence, 75% said mental health was one of their top three health issues.

The bottom line is that abusive behaviour is never acceptable, whether it’s is in a heterosexual relationship or a same-sex relationship, a poly relationship or any other type or relationship. We all deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe.

This research suggests that there is a clear need for information and services that are tailored to the specific health needs of same-sex attracted women, including sex and gender diverse women.

Health care providers need to be knowledgeable about these health needs, and the services provided need to be inclusive. Research shows that trying to be neutral in health care provision can have negative consequences as it fails to recognise the specific health needs of individuals.

Health services and professionals need to acknowledge, understand and accommodate diverse sexualities and genders.

The report will be launched at Muse (East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue) on Tuesday 20 August.

You can access the summary of the report findings here aidsaction.org.au/lgbqWreport