Culture and sexuality/ gender identity

“The barriers that many GLBTIQ people face are significant. They are often shunned by their own families and communities, only then to discover that racism and intolerance is often as rampant within the gay and lesbian community as it is within the broader community.”

For SSA and trans people discussing issues of sexuality or gender identity can be confronting, and coming out, both to oneself and others, can be a time of great vulnerability. Many people who are SSA or Trans have to cope with rejection and feeling isolated. As a consequence of this, it often feels like there is nowhere to go to break the isolation and get support.

For people from CALD communities who may already be experiencing isolation, same sex attraction or a disconnect with gender identity can seem impossible to address. This isolation, coupled with a strong cultural identity, and can be complicated further by a desire to maintain strong family connections.

Barriers for SSA/ TRANS CALD people
The Bfriend CALD project has identified a number of barriers for SSA/Trans people from CALD communities, which include:

• Homophobia in CALD communities.

• Racism in GLBTIQ communities.

• Perceptions of SSA or a trans identity as being “white” or “western”.

• Fear of acknowledging SSA/ transsexuality or trangenderism within CALD communities because of potential rejection by community, which may lead to isolation from social supports that are central to an individual’s wellbeing and identity.

• In some people’s country of birth homosexuality may have been punishable by imprisonment or death, making SSA CALD people less likely to discuss sexuality with government counselors and health workers.

• Experiences of trauma, torture and sexual violence can have significant impacts on identity and can make workers reluctant to raise issues of sexuality.

• SSA/Trans CALD people may not use culturally based services to discuss sexuality or gender identity, because of issues regarding identification and confidentiality.

• Cultures and individuals view sexuality and gender differently – your client is your cultural advisor

• For many people cultural identity will be more important than sexuality/gender identity.