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2. Why Councils need to be more aware of LGBT people
People are not equal, but all people can be treated with equity and fairness. If you recognise that some groups in the community may be treated less fairly or equitably than others, your council's equality policy should determine that a special effort is made to remove the barriers which prevent fair treatment or service provision.
'I can get called a poof or anything and the teachers won't do anything they just stay quiet, but if I am called a paki, they will do something, which is pretty appalling'(A gay man from Something to Tell You: A Health Needs Assessment of Young LGBT People in Glasgow, 2002).
LGBT people experience prejudice, abuse and rejection. The use of insulting and derogatory terms to describe LGBT people is still commonplace and used by some people who would not consider the use of similar discriminatory language to describe black people or people with a disability.
Councils are often one of the largest employers in their area and it is important that employment polices and practices attract and retain the best candidates. LGBT people should be confident that if they choose to reveal their sexual orientation, this will not be a barrier to promotion or a cause of prejudice in the workplace.
'I still have a problem being out as a teacher- I just think that it would be career suicide' (National Centre for Social Research (2003) Sexual Orientation Research Phase Two: Scottish Executive: Scottish Executive Social Research).
Councils are large organisations and despite some positive initiatives on equality and human rights, discrimination by the organisation and by individuals within it can arise due to
- a lack of vigilance
- a lack of awareness, which can include casual assumptions that policy statements are being effectively delivered throughout all services
- out of date processes and procedures which may have discriminatory effects
- unacceptable behaviour from employees, partner organisations or members of the public using council services.
When councils act positively to challenge discrimination, they can make a real difference to the lives of LGBT people in their areas.
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