Equality Factsheet 9
Coventry People and … Sexual Orientation
If you would like to speak to someone about this document, please use these contact details:
Jaspal Mann
Equality Officer
Chief Executive’s Policy Team
Council House 2nd Floor Room 66
Coventry CV1 5RR
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 024 7683 3112
January 2015 Edition
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www.coventry.gov.uk
Coventry People and … Sexual Orientation
About this factsheet
Coventry City Council provides information about equality to help the residents,
council and community organisations of the city take these groups into consideration
when providing services. The Council does this by producing six monthly Equality
Strategy progress reports based on the Councils priorities as well as Equality
Factsheets containing equality information on a range of services areas.
This factsheet is one in a series of nine (list at the end of the report) and aims to raise
awareness about the number of Coventry people who share a protected characteristic
(as set out in the Equality Act 2010) as well as some of the issues that are more likely
to affect them in comparison with others.
This factsheet is about sexual orientation – being sexually attracted towards own
sex, the opposite sex or both sexes
It is a summary of factual evidence to help those working with or providing services to
Coventry people with the aim of:
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Eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation;
Promoting equality of opportunity for people
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Fostering good relations between those with a protected characteristic and others
1. Population Numbers
There is currently no official count of people by sexual orientation. There are a variety
of opinions about how to estimate the proportion of the population that are
heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual.
Estimates - Department of Trade and Industry offered an estimate of five–seven %.
“Whilst no specific data is available, a wide range of research suggests that LGB
people constitute 5–7 % of the total adult population. The total England and Wales
adult population in 2002 was approximately 42.1 million; therefore a 5–7 % range
would mean that the LGB population would be 2.10 million to 2.95 million people.
However, this size estimate is based on the findings of a number of different and
disparate sources”. Source Estimating the size and composition of the Lesbian, Gay
and Bisexual population of Britain, Equality & Human Rights Commission 2009
2. Key Facts
Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LBG) people can experience discrimination and
harassment because of perception and prejudice. This may affect those who are
open about their sexuality and those who are assumed to be lesbian, gay or bisexual.
This may also be compounded when linked with issues relating to race, disability,
religion, culture, age and poverty.
Provision of statistical information is limited particularly for areas such as
employment where statistics collection does not include routine monitoring for sexual
orientation.
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Life
Suicide – national evidence suggests that lesbian, gay and bisexual people have an
increased risk of attempted suicide. Source: EHRC Triennial Review 2010
Adoption & Fostering – 80% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people would expect to
face barriers if they applied to become foster parents. Almost half also expect to be
treated worse than a heterosexual person by an adoption agency if they want to
adopt a child. Source: Gay in Britain, Stonewall 2013
Legal and physical security
Hate crime - During April 2014 – September 2014 there were 17 offences motivated by
hate crime recorded on police and non-police records. Source: Coventry City Council
Sexual Abuse - Hate crime against lesbian, gay and bisexual people may include
sexual abuse.
Experience of the police and criminal justice system – LGB people fear they will be
treated worse than their heterosexual counterparts whether they are reporting
crimes, suspected of committing crimes or dealing with police or prison staff.
Source: Gay in Britain, Stonewall 2013
Same-sex Marriage - The Civil Partnership Act 2004 brought about legal recognition
of same sex relationships through the creation of civil partnerships in the UK. The
Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 now extends marriage to same sex couples
in England and Wales. Civil partnerships continue to be recognised following the
introduction of marriage of same sex couples. They will not automatically be
converted to marriages, but the opportunity to convert them will be available in
accordance with a defined legal process.
Health
General and Mental Health – Research by the University of Birmingham found that
thre were higher rates of breast cancer, depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, eating
disorders, self-harm and poor health behaviours (smoking, poor diet, illegal drug use).
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/collegemds/haps/projects/WMHTAC/REPreports/2009/LGBThealth030409finalversion.pdf
Mental health & stress - National research suggests that this particular harassment
may lead to poor mental health. Source: EHRC Triennial Review 2010
Sexual Health – The latest figures for the C-Card scheme in Coventry, which offers
free condoms and and Chlamydia screening for 13-25 year olds, show that 98
clients recorded themselves as Bisexual, 32 as Gay Men and 3 as Lesbian. 16
clients recorded themselves as questioning. Source: Public Health, Coventry
Sport – More than six in ten gay and bisexual men and four in ten lesbians and gay
women expect to experience homophobia if they take part in a team sport and are
open about their sexual orientation. Source: Gay in Britain, Stonewall 2013
HIV - By the end of 2013, an estimated 107,800 people were living with HIV in the UK.
The estimated prevalence of HIV in 2013 was 2.8 per 1,000 population (aged 15-59
years). Coventry had the highest prevalence of HIV in the West Midlands in 2013 at
3.12 per 1,000 population. Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) are one of the groups
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with the highest rates of HIV; 59 per 1,000 among MSM. Source: Public Health
England, Sexual Health Profiles 2015; Implementing NICE guidance Increasing the
uptake of HIV testing among black Africans in England and Increasing the uptake of
HIV testing among men who have sex with men. NIHCE 2011
Education
97% of LGB pupils report regularly hearing homophobic language in school; Source:
EHRC Triennial Review 2010
Attainment - Children in England who report being bullied did 15% worse at GCSE
and were twice as likely not to be in education, employment or training at age 16.
Source: EHRC Triennial Review 2010
Employment
According to research, one in five LGB employees have experienced verbal bullying
from colleagues, customers or service users because of their sexual orientation. One
in eight LGB employees would not feel confident reporting homophobic bullying in the
workplace. Source: Gay in Britain, Stonewall 2013
Power and Voice
Homosexuality is still illegal in over 70 countries worldwide and punishable by death
in 8; Source: ILGa website: http://ilga.org/
42 Commonwealth countries still retain homophobic legislation. Source ILGa website:
http://ilga.org/
Significant numbers of gay people fear they would still face discrimination if they
sought to play an active part in politics, whether as a potential Member of
Parliament or local councillor. Source: Gay in Britain, Stonewall 2013
3. Information Sources
Local sources of equalities information:
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Coventry City Council Equality and Diversity webpage:
www.coventry.gov.uk/equality/
Compendium of information and quality of life data relating to Coventry and
surrounding areas- www.facts-about-coventry.com/
Coventry Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (health & social care)
www.coventrypartnership.com/healthjsna
Coventry Domestic Violence & Abuse Partnership
www.safetotalk.org.uk/professionals/statistics/
National sources of equalities information:
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Equalities Act 2010, advice, guidance and research:
www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-actguidance/protected-characteristics-definitions/
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http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/triennial_review/how_fair_is_
britain_-_complete_report.pdf
• Beyond Tolerance: Making sexual orientation matter
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/research/beyond_tolerance.p
df
 A systematic review of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health in the West
Midlands region of the UK compared to published UK research
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/collegemds/haps/projects/WMHTAC/REPreports/2009/LGBThealth030409finalversion.p
df
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Stonewall http://www.stonewall.org.uk/
Substance misuse and general health in a report from Stonewall by Lesbians and
bisexual women/trans, can be found on
http://www.stonewall.org.uk/documents/prescription_for_change.pdf
Results of homophobia and mental health issues that the LGBTQ population face.
http://www.stonewall.org.uk/at_home/health/2658.aspp
Health and homophobia reports at www.stonewall.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, and
www.sigmaresearch.com
Local contacts with an interest:
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Coventry Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Advisory Group
www.coventrylgbt.org.uk/index.php/soagi
GYGL http://www.gygl.co.uk/home.htm
Terence Higgins Trust http://www.tht.org.uk/contactus/thtmidlands/
Other factsheets in the series
Fact sheets are available for each of the protected characteristics, which include:
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Age – e.g. children and older people
Disability – someone with a physical or mental impairment or learning disability
that affects normal day to day activities
Gender reassignment – someone going through the process of changing gender
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity – the period of expecting a baby and up to 26 weeks
after birth, including breastfeeding
Race – including people defined by race, colour, nationality / citizenship, ethnic or
national origins
Religion and belief – beliefs that affect the way you live, including no religious
belief
Gender (sex) – being a man or a woman
Sexual orientation –being sexually attracted towards own sex, the opposite sex or
both sexes
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