1 in 5 gay people targeted in west were physically attacked

ONE in five gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered people living in the west who have experienced discrimination have been physically attacked, according to a new survey.

The research was carried out on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities living in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

Respondents also reported much higher levels of drug and alcohol use than heterosexual populations.

Launching the research, Community Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív said the report was a milestone for different sexually orientated communities in the west.

“Life for lesbian and gay people in Ireland has improved significantly in the past 20 years... while this progress is being made, however, the reality for a significant but thankfully reducing number of people is that they seek to hide their sexual orientation for fear of negative reactions from society in general.”

The study included an online survey, focus groups and the questioning of services for LGBT communities.

Up to 69% of respondents had experienced some form of discrimination because of their sexual orientation. Of these, 50% reported being verbally abused. However, some 20%, or one in five, of those discriminated against admitted they had been physically attacked.

The report calls for more drop-in centres, in towns like Castlebar, Co Mayo, where members of LGBT communities can meet, but also obtain information or help.

More centres were needed, especially ones that did not focus on the sale of alcohol, said Ciaran McKinney, a director with the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN).

The research found high numbers of gays and lesbians abuse alcohol and drugs compared with heterosexuals. Some 43% had tried cannabis, 39% had used ecstasy and 34% had tried cocaine.

Furthermore, about a third of LGBT respondents reported drinking more than the recommended units of alcohol in a week.

Mr McKinney said the higher prevalence of drug and alcohol use could be put down to the greater levels of social exclusion experienced by the group.

Health campaigns needed to target LGBT communities, the study stressed.

Meanwhile, Mr Ó Cuív said yesterday the Government expected to publish the Civil Partnership Bill in early 2009. The legislation will provide for registration of civil partnerships by same-sex couples, together with increased rights.

* www.glen.ie