Austerity Measures

Details
How austerity measures are detrimental to LGB&T communities 

Tory/NI Assembly austerity measures, coupled with the de-prioritisation of LGB&T services, will disproportionally affect vulnerable and minority groups including LGB&T communities.

NIPSA LGB&T are standing up for you, but we need your support to campaign against the austerity measures to help protect LGB&T individuals from:

Health and Wellbeing
  • Any reduction and underfunding of sexual health services that will potentially effect an increase in the incidence of STIs, including HIV
  • Any reduction in mental health services that could disproportionately leave LGB&T individuals more vulnerable, resulting in a potential increase in depression, self-harm, parasuicide and suicide
  • Privatisation of health services that may make provision of LGB&T services only available to those who can pay
  • Any reduction in funding for gender affirmation surgery & treatments that may limit and delay access and services
Policing and Justice
  • Under-reporting of homophobic and transphobic hate incidents could result from a reduction of policing resources
LGB&T Youth
  • Resources for tackling harassment and bullying of LGB&T young people in schools may not be a priority
  • Possible reduction in access to LGB&T Youth services, specifically in rural areas, due to funding cuts
LGB&T Older Communities
  • Possible reduction in LGB&T friendly activities/clubs for older individuals
  • Potential for older LGB&T individuals to become increasingly isolated within the community
Housing
  • Unsafe and unsuitable shared social housing as a consequence of reduced housing stock
  • Exclusion from housing benefits for 18 – 24 year old LGB&T individuals
Single LGB&T Parents
  • Increased costs for pre-school childcare and after-school facilities
  • Limited places for pre-school and after-school clubs
Reduction of the Public Sector, Public Spending and LGB&T Sector Funding
  • The loss of valuable and experienced staff able to deliver or give advice on LGB&T-sensitive areas
  • Inability to meet the rising demand for LGB&T services compounded with the reduction in LGB&T advice and support services
  • Failure to commission support services for LGB&T individuals
  • Reduced ability for proactive outreach work on anti-homophobic and anti-transphobic awareness training
  • LGB&T service delivery regarded as non-core spending
  • Loss of jobs and reduced earnings for LGB&T public sector workers will cause financial hardship