• There is a lack of information on the existence of and attitudes to GLBTIQ identities throughout the world and throughout history. This is important because having a sense of history – in particular a cultural history – can provide a sense of grounding to an individual.

• The information needs of CALD young people around SSA and gender diversity is under-resourced. This includes the direct information needs of young SSA and trans people, as well as their peers and parents.

• There is a significant lack of literature and information for workers and communities on the relationship between sexuality/ gender identity and culture.

• There is a significant lack of literature and information for workers and communities on the relationship between sexuality/ gender identity and culture.

• Training and resources are required to assist mainstream organisations understand issues of sexuality/gender identity and culture, and how these may impact on the overall well-being of their clients. These are often the services CALD people will approach about issues of sexuality/ gender identity because of fears about identification at multicultural services.

• Our consultations show that CALD and mainstream workers want to address all aspects of their client’s well-being, but need information and training to be confident raising issues of sexuality/gender identity in a ways that are sensitive and respectful of an individual’s life experience.

• Information awareness and increased knowledge within the GLBTIQ community about the specific issues that may face people from CALD backgrounds.

• A lack of safe spaces for SSA and transgender CALD people that celebrate both their culture and their sexuality in Adelaide and regional South Australia.

Consultations with people working with people from CALD backgrounds were conducted between June and October 2006 as part of the Bfriend CALD Program. The consultations sought suggestions and feedback on same sex attraction (SSA) in CALD communities, and the capacity of both individuals and organisations to effectively respond to the needs of the people they work with who may be SSA. Workers were asked about their experiences regarding sexuality and culture; their information, resource and training needs; and their confidence and capacity to discuss issues of sexuality with their clients.

A gap in the information needs of CALD workers was the issue raised most often during the consultations. This was the case for both sexuality specific services and non-sexuality specific services.

Workers said that the people they worked with often raised issues that were unrelated to the worker’s core business, choosing to ask a person they know and feel comfortable with rather than approaching the ‘right’ agency. Sometimes workers just need a bit more information to help support their clients, while at other times they need to know about where to refer their clients so they can access specific services.

The main suggestion was to establish a web-based resource that could accessed by workers on an as-needs basis that includes information about the interface between sexuality and culture; resources that workers can download for themselves or print off for their clients; information about why SSA people may choose to discuss sexuality with mainstream or non-sexuality specific services; and information how and when to refer clients to other organisations.

And so this guide for workers was born!

Martine Hawkes
CALD Project Worker - Bfriend
UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide Inc.
Phone: 8202 5805 or 8202 5192
Email: bfriend@ucwesleyadelaide.org.au