Case Study 8.1

A SOCIAL INCLUSION AGENDA IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Background

Despite significant legal progress, there is a great deal of evidence that people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ) are subjected to many forms of stigma, exclusion and discrimination. Ranging from subtle disapproval to vilification and extreme violence, the effects of such discrimination can be devastating, and may be linked to self-harm, excessive drug use, poor health outcomes and feeling unsafe in many different settings.

In August 2012 the South Australian Government announced the development of an LGBTIQ Inclusion Strategy as a response to concerns about these issues. This work aligned with the State Government's commitment to social inclusion, as well as to a number of specific strategic priorities, including creating safe communities and healthy neighbourhoods, and providing every child with a chance to reach their full potential.

The Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) was asked to lead this work as it is congruent with the Department's vision Communities for all; opportunities for everyone and builds on the work already undertaken by DCSI to support some of the State's most vulnerable communities. Between August 2012 and November 2013, DCSI consulted with LGBTIQ South Australians about how, as a State Government, we could provide more inclusive services, improve their connection and interaction with the broader community and reduce the discrimination and prejudice they often experienced when going about their daily lives.

Community engagement the practice of actively bringing community voices into decisions that affect and interest them is central to South Australian State Government commitments and to DCSI's strategic direction. The community engagement undertaken was modelled on the South Australian Government 'Better Together' Principles of Community Engagement outlined below.

Principle 1: We know why we are engaging and we communicate this clearly.

Principle 2: We know who to engage.

Principle 3: We know the history and background.

Principle 4: We begin early.

Principle 5: We are genuine.

Principle 6: We are creative, relevant and engaging.

The development of the strategy was greatly assisted by a fifteen-member advisory committee, the Rainbow Advisory Council. While the Council was broadly representative of the LGBTIQ communities concerned it is acknowledged that we did not hear directly from intersex people and need to do more work in engaging with this cohort. Consultation with communities took many forms. A comprehensive on-line survey was launched at the same time as the development of the Strategy was announced. We held forums in the metropolitan area and in some regional locations. A phone-in was conducted, and meetings were held with specific groups when requested.

Over the consultation period a Rainbow Email Network was developed. Newsletters were created and sent to the network informing them of progress and the results of consultation. Information was also posted on the general South Australian Government website sa.gov.au. Community members were extremely generous, offering their time and expertise and describing sometimes painful life experiences in order to provide us with the insight necessary to develop the strategy.

While our research and consultation reaffirmed the unfortunate fact that discrimination, prejudice and stigma towards people who identify as LGBTI or Q is still a significant issue, it also enabled us to identify how we might begin to constructively and actively address these issues. The final strategy, entitled the South Australian Strategy for the Inclusion of LGBTIQ People 2014- 2016 identified five key priority areas for action:

1. social & emotional health and wellbeing
2. employment and opportunities
3. awareness and education
4. inclusive service delivery
5. engagement with LGBTIQ communities.

The LGBTIQ Inclusion Strategy was released in February 2014 and officially launched at an International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia celebration on 16 May 2014. It represents an important step in reducing inequality and social exclusion for LGBTIQ people, in that it demonstrates government commitment to addressing these issues, and to placing the voice of LGBTIQ people central to its response. But it is just a beginning the work of acting on the Strategy's recommendations to deal with the difficult and complex issues involved continues.

CRITICAL REFLECTION

1. Analyse how a community field might have emerged in working to develop this policy?
2. What might be the overlap between developing a social inclusion policy and community work with the groups involved?
3. What are the roles of government in this social justice initiative and are they aligned with the interests of the affected groups?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

ANSWER Emergence of a Community Field The emergence of a community field in developing the LGBTIQ Inclusion Strategy likely involved various stakehold... View the full answer