LGB black and ethnic minorities ‘isolated’ by public services, says new report.

 
Many people in the study believed this perception leads to inappropriate or poor-quality responses from public services to LGB ethnic minorities.
 
Stonewall has built on its groundbreaking research into LGB health by publishing a detailed briefing about the concerns of mental health, low uptake of services and attempted suicide among black gay people.
 
The interviews revealed how people who are part of more than one minority struggle to gain understanding. One participant said: "I think that I can either be gay or I can be South Asian, or I can be a Hindu. The fact that I can be all three becomes very difficult for people to comprehend."
 
There was also a frustration from the respondents at the lack of black gay public figures there are in the UK.
 
Stonewall Chief Executive, Ben Summerskill said: "These reports show the concern and isolation felt by many black and minority ethnic lesbian, gay and bisexual people, particularly when public services have not been tailored for them. Gay black people contribute more than £4.5 billion in taxes to fund public services, but are systematically failed by service providers."
 
In the run up to UK Black Pride, of which Stonewall is the main sponsor, Mr. Summerskill believes this kind of celebration is vital to 'showcase role models for young people'.
 
UK Pride's Executive Director, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, values this research into the needs of black LBG people: "In seven years of supporting black LGBT people, we have been alarmed by the variable experiences reported back to us about the availability and delivery of public services.
 
"This research is important in documenting such experiences and statutory bodies must use this opportunity to review how they meet the needs of black and LGBT people. UK Black Pride is determined to help promote effective access to essential support."
 
Both reports are available online at Stonewall