1. Lesbian and Bisexual Ilga report
Women’s Health: Common Concerns,
Local Issues

2. Mental Health 40 / 41
Mental Health
Many people still believe that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are “mentally ill”; we should not
forget that homosexuality was considered a mental disorder until 1973 by the American Psy-
chiatric association and until 1990 by the World Health Organization. We are all raised and
live in a homophobic and heterosexist world. Some of us still have to cope with internalised
lesbophobia and bi-phobia. In some cases, we cannot rely on the support of family and have
broken with the culture and lifestyle of origin. Added to that, lesbians’ social life and opportu-
nities to meet others are often linked to clubs and nightlife where alcohol, smoking and drugs
are present. All those factors have a detrimental effect on wellbeing and health and are an
additional source of stress that can contribute to depression and mental health problems.
“I think the road to good health for many les- began formally in 1999 after a comprehensive
bians is a bit slippery, and it can be easy to community consultation about ACON’s future
fall off the path”. M. Mahamati, Acon, Aus- directions and a more planned approach to les-
tralia. bian health matters was put in place as part of a
broadening of the organization’s focus towards
THE SLIPPERY NATURE LGBT health. ACON now views itself as a health
OF LESBIAN HEALTH promotion agency, serving the LGBT commu-
WHAT IS SO DIFFERENT ABOUT nity with a particular emphasis on HIV/AIDS.
LESBIAN HEALTH? ACON employs one full time lesbian health
worker in Sydney and part time workers in our
Acon, an Australian NGO working on lesbian four regional offices. So far it has proven more
health has explored how lesbophobia and as- difficult for ACON to attract funding for lesbian
sumption of heterosexuality are barriers for projects than originally envisaged. Therefore,
lesbians seeking optimal health. “Heterosexism much of this work is funded by self-generated
and homophobia can erode our mental and emo- sources. Currently ACON is unable to provide
tional wellbeing” says M. Mahamati, Acon’s Se- the same range of services and resources for
nior Lesbian Health Project worker. lesbian health as for gay men, due to significant
funding generated from HIV/AIDS grants. While
ACON is an LGBT organization with a cen- some of our work in lesbian health is driven
tral focus on HIV/AIDS. So, why are you by what funding is available, research informs
launching campaigns targeted at lesbians or, specific needs are to be addressed. The high
more broadly, women dating women, about incidence of breast cancer in women (1 in 7)
health issues ranging from breast cancer to and the higher risk factors for many lesbians
mental health? (not having children, not having breastfed, high
alcohol consumption, high smoking rate) make
ACON began as a gay community response our risk factor for developing breast cancer,
to the HIV/AIDS epidemic twenty years ago, to some suggest, as high as 1 in 4. The rates of
both care for people living with HIV/AIDS and domestic violence in lesbian relationships have
promote safe sex to prevent further transmis- shaped the formation of ACON’s Anti-Violence
sion of the virus. Many lesbians worked in paid project, for which we are able to obtain fun-
or voluntary capacity in this field as nurses and ding from the Attorney General’s department.
care providers and other support focused roles. Heterosexism and homophobia can erode our
Some lesbians were attracted to this work wi- mental and emotional wellbeing, and groups
thin the gay community; and when opportuni- which decrease social isolation and foster
ties arose, usually in conjunction with a range of friendships and networks can assist our coping
community development programmes, lesbian mechanisms. At different times in the life of
health issues were also addressed. However, the Lesbian Health project issues such as safer
this was in an ad hoc manner. It was usually sex and sexual health have taken priority. Some
unfunded work and was heavily reliant on vo- directions for the project have come about by
lunteer time and the goodwill of related servi- particular skills and interests of the project
ces and agencies. The Lesbian Health project workers of the time.

3. Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Health: Ilga report
Common Concerns, Local Issues
You published a brochure called “The slip- far-reaching negative health consequences
pery nature of lesbian health”. What do you and that smoking occurs at much higher rates
find so slippery? among lesbians than the general community.
Well, I think the road to good health for many ACON has run smoking cessation courses to
lesbians is a bit slippery, and it can be easy address this issue.
to fall off the path. As a group our community
The same brochure has a separate chapter
seems to have less frequent appointments with
on emotional and mental health, and a good
doctors or health care professionals, espe-
part is dedicated to depression. Why would
cially if we don’t have children, which may put
lesbian or bisexual women be more subject to
us in contact with the medical establishment
depression than heterosexuals?
more frequently. Many of us perceive or expe-
rience a negative reaction when disclosing our I believe lesbian and bisexual women are more
sexuality, or keep silent about this and resign subject to depression because we live in a ho-
ourselves to sitting through questions about mophobic and heterosexist world where our
contraception and other issues assuming he- lives are often discounted and diminished. An
terosexuality. For some these experiences are Australian 2005 Roy Morgan poll which inter-
enough to deter anything other than emergen- viewed 24,718 Australians over 14 years of age
cy medical treatments, and regular screenings showed that 43% of men and 27% of women
for cervical cancer and mammograms can slip believed homosexuality to be immoral. Living
by the wayside. I think that the name, Slippery among such judgments can be very stressful.
Nature, was a bit of a play with words by the Some lesbians may have been rejected by their
contributors who were alluding to those warm, family of origin in their coming out process,
moist, slippery aspects of lesbian sex. may have experienced rejection from signifi-
cant people in their lives when disclosing their
In another brochure, “Opening the window sexuality and have not found significant others
– A general guide to lesbian health”, you for support. Lesbian role models have not
include alcohol, smoking, drugs and even been easy to find, and they have not inherited
gambling. Don’t you think these are social a road map of “how to be lesbian”. Many have
rather than health issues? not resolved issues of internalized homopho-
In inner city Sydney, the lesbian scene and op- bia and have not easily accepted their sexuality
portunities to meet others most often involves as an integral, vibrant, OK part of themselves.
clubs and pubs where alcohol, smoking and If they have been brought up in a culture which
drugs are prevalent. Many lesbians conduct is harsh and condemning about sexuality, it
their whole social life in this atmosphere; and is difficult to let those messages not have a
our higher use of alcohol, smoking and drugs negative impact. The old saying of Jesuit’s…
has a detrimental effect on health. For many “give me a child until he/she is 7” demonstra-
of us our way of interacting socially has a direct tes the idea that beliefs held in early years are
impact on your health. ACON tries to provide difficult to dislodge. Many lesbians have lost
alternative meeting opportunities away from a great deal when coming to terms with their
the scene. While I don’t know of any research sexuality: family, friends, church, culture and a
which cites gambling as a larger problem in lifestyle or dream they had of their future.
the lesbian community more than the general
Lesbian role models have not been easy to
community, it could be that when Opening the
find, and they have not inherited a road
Window was written, it was thought that our
map of “how to be lesbian”
potential for addiction might also transfer to
gambling, especially as so many of the pubs
have rows of machines installed just waiting
for a taker. ACON takes a holistic view of health
wherever possible; and a focus on drug and al-
cohol use within the LGBT community, parti-
cularly in terms of harm reduction, has been
a long-standing priority for the organization.
Furthermore, it’s no secret that smoking has

4. Mental Health 42 / 43
In all your brochures and campaigns you away and live openly as a lesbian. They not only
picture women from various ethnic origins. face the possible loss of family and friends, but
What are the specific mental health concerns their very way of being. Racism is sometimes
for those lesbian and bisexual women with a experienced when venturing into the lesbian
minority ethnic background? community; and rosy dreams of finding a pla-
For many lesbians from a minority ethnic bac- ce of acceptance, comfort and support can be
kground the issue of culture plays a huge role. shattered. ACON desires to portray women of
In communities where lesbians are condem- different racial backgrounds enjoying mutually
ned, they face a choice of keeping their sexua- satisfying relationships, both sexual and non
lity secret and always needing to be on guard sexual.
for fear of discovery or losing meaningful and www.acon.org.au
important aspects of their lives if they move
A SURVEY BY ILGA-EUROPE
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND SUICIDE AMONG LGBT POPULATION IN HUNGARY
Mental healh is one of the most vulnerable issues for the LGBT people. Reporting on stress,
88.4% of the respondents reported being frequently stressed, 79.3% anxious, and 46.2% think
that they are depressed. Of those who answered these questions, 32.9% are of the view that
their stress, anxiety or depression is related to their sexual orientation. Only 28.5% of these
have turned to a mental health service provider for help, including the help-lines operated by
NGOs. 71.5% have never sought help. This can be understood in part by a lack of trust in the
doctor’s confidentiality, since it is necessary to come out to the doctor/psychologist if someo-
ne is seeking treatment for related mental problems. When asked within same Hungarian
survey about suicidal thoughts, 56.2% of the respondents report having such thoughts and
18.3% have attempted suicide. Among those who have attempted suicide, 65% viewed it as
related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Abuse, harassment and violence are factors
which can have an impact on health in general and on mental health in particular. Only 33.8%
or Hungarian respondents report not experiencing any of our listed forms of abuse. We see
also that well over one half (59.2%) of responses were for name calling as a form of abuse.
21.1% of the responses related to the threat of physical violence.
Yes No No Response
Have you ever had suicidal thoughts? 56.2% 43.8% 0%
If yes, have you ever attempted suicide? 18.3% 81.7% 0%
If yes, do you feel this was in anyway
due to your own or other people’s
feelings in relation to your sexual
orientation or gender identity? 65% 35% 0%
From ILGA-Europe LGBT health survey. If you would like to read the full report,
please visit ILGA-Europe’s web-site at:
www.ilga-europe.org.

5. Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Health: Ilga report
Common Concerns, Local Issues
TOBACCO USE
While there has been no large scale study on tobacco use among the LGBT community, there
are a number of studies which point to a higher prevalence than in the heterosexual popula-
tion. A review of the literature on the impact of homophobia in Canada (1), posited that in the
LGBT community there were twice the number of deaths due to smoking than in the hetero-
sexual community. According the American Magazine CLASH, the lesbian and gay community
has become the third community for the tobacco industry to target, after African Americans
and women.
(1)Bank, C. The Cost of Homophobia: Literature Review of the Cost of Homophobia in Canada,
Canada 2003
From ILGA-Europe LGBT health survey. If you would like to read the full report,
please visit ILGA-Europe’s web-site at:
www.ilga-europe.org.

6. Mental Health 44 / 45
ACON ASSOCIATION NEXUS RESEARCH
www.acon.org.au STOP SUICIDE http://ireland.iol.ie/nexus/
“The slippery nature of lesbian www.stopsuicide.ch/5/homo- A non profit research co-operative
Health – What is so different about sexualite based in Dublin, Ireland, Nexus has
lesbian health?”. This brochure de- This Swiss organization is concer- developed extensive expertise in a
tails the impact of invisibility and it ned by the high level of attempted number of areas, including suppor-
describes some general experien- suicides among young people who ting local and community develop-
ces of health as lesbians. It inclu- say they are lesbians or gay. Its ment, empowerment, exclusion and
des contacts for care and support of website provides useful information social issues, information society
lesbians in Australia. about this issue. and communications, programme
and project evaluation. It has com-
“Opening The Window – A guide pleted work in social issues relating
to Lesbian Health” provides some to various groups in Ireland that
good tips to lesbian and bisexual GRIFFIN CENTRE are excluded in different ways from
women for maintaining health and www.griffin-centre.org main opportunities and benefits of
wellbeing. It details the most com- The Griffin Centre is a non-profit or- development. These have included
mon risks and diseases, and gives ganization providing a range of res- among others, the lesbian and gay
an ample space to issues related ponsive community mental health community and women’s groups in
to mental health such as alcohol, services to youth and adults with disadvantaged areas.
smoking, other drugs abuse, gam- complex needs.
bling, how to deal with relationships “Mental Health, Lesbians and Gay
when breaking with partners or lo- The Youth Arts Project (YAP!) is a Men – Developing Strategies to
vers. It describes what emotional weekly arts-based sexual health Counter the Impact of Social Exclu-
health is and how important it is to drop in for queer youth under 25. sion and Stigmatisation” - By Brian
be able to talk to someone. It also The group recently created a pos- Dillion and Eoin Collins, Nexus Re-
gives advice on ways to plan ahead ter, magazine and outdoor mural search Co-operative, Dublin
when thinking about your health related to sexual health. This report solely concentrates on
and wellbeing and what you might the experience of lesbians and gay
like to have in place in the case of men with regard to mental health in
serious illness or death. Ireland. Its aim is to support deve-
lopment at local and national level
to address the mental health needs
to the lesbian and gay community
ALCOHOL ADVISORY and increase the understanding of
COUNCIL OF NEW ZEA- the key issues with regard to sexual
LAND (ALAC) orientation and mental health.
www.alac.org.nz
It was established in 1976 following
a report by the Royal Commission
of Inquiry into the Sale of Liquor.
The Commission recommended
establishing a permanent council
whose aim was to encourage res-
ponsible use and minimise misuse
of alcohol. The ALAC project was
an attempt at targeting the lesbian
community about drug and alcohol
abuse. Posters and postcards were
distributed throughout the country
in lesbian and gay centres as well as
women’s health centres. Such dis-
tributions contributed to the general
discussion about drug and alcohol
abuse in the community as well as
informed some health care workers
to the fact that some of their clients
would be lesbian or gay.