natalyad

What is the Complicated report?

Equality Network in Scotland have just released a new evidence/research based report called "Complicated?" about bi people's experiences of service provision and suggestions for improvement.

A summary of the report's aims and info about it + how to obtain hard copies is at http://www.equality-network.org/resources/publications/bisexual/

The full report is at
http://www.equality-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Complicated-Bisexual-Report.pdf

My quick review

I think the authors have attempted to keep their language simple and
straight forward and it is structured in a logical manner. If the
full-report is daunting then I'd recommend reading:
* Pages 6-9 the summary + ideas and
* Pages 62-64 are conclusions and suggestions

Lovely intro by Meg John recognising the gaps and and things The
Bisexuality Report from 2012 didn't fully-cover which are improved
somewhat in Complicated.

The first few pages are summary findings including specific mention of
multiple-discrimination, minority ethnic and disabled people's experiences.

Page 8 is a "roadmap" to bisexual inclusion with specific suggestions
such as research, language "LGBTetc not gay" "same-sex XXX not gay XXX".
Remember include biphobia as specific thing to deal with. Access and
update training. Celebrate bisexuality with advice about not labelling
historical figures unless they used them themselves. Make sure bi people
are included in events and be willing to mention bisexuality in things.

Introduction discusses realities of terminologies and definitions and
some content note to references to sexual violence but no descriptions.

Methodology discusses how the research was carried out and
challenges/limitations of bisexuals as a sample size of the wider
population. 720 people responded but only some responses were valid
within scope leaving 513 usable responses. Explains formatting choices
for accessibility and that feedback was sought and acted upon from
BiReCon 2014.

Demographics goes through age, where people live, ethnicity,
religion/belief, disability, gender identity, trans, sexual orientation
as self-described as it may not match behaviour (with a chart to show
terms used and values).

Findings reviewed each question such "How much do you feel part of a"
* Bi community
* LGBT community
* Heterosexual community
+ quotes and breakdowns

Then discussions around
* Feeling able to share their sexual orientation
* Experiences of using services inc nifty diagram of biphobia!
* Experiences of biphobia from services + specific examples
* Experiences of LGBT services (25% experienced biphobia!)
* Impact of other kinds of discrimination on biphobia (+ recognition of
some groups being under represented)
+ Info broken down and discussed.

* Examples of good inclusion
Inc NHS, Sexual Health Clinic, Police, LGBT services,

"Ideas for improving services" around page 55ish is very good.
- Age, socio-economic class and race/ethnicity all highlighted as
under-reached and under represented.

Conclusions on page 62 noted that when "shocking" examples were
mentioned to bi people during consultation/feedback many people said
these had happened to them too so was "not unusual or surprising".
Recognise the report findings may be under-representative and need to
talk about what has been found outside of bi spaces in ways like this
report. Also discussed impact of not feeling connected to any
communities and that change doesn't have to be expensive or onerous.

The report then ends with links to key UK bi groups, a glossary and then
the bibliography with full citations of sources cited with website
address is available or a note if it is not available online...

To: reader@theguardian.com
Subject: Poor language about disabled person in article

Dear Editor,

I noticed in the Guardian's reporting of http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/feb/13/ten-level-wheelchair-ramps-shocks-clydebank-family the term "wheelchair bound" and "confined to a wheelchair" are used about the child in the article Katy.

This is not the first time I have complained to the guardian about using rubbish language about disabled people so I am frustrated that the same old poor language is used over and over again. It lets down an otherwise good article.

I recommend guidance at http://www.mediawise.org.uk/diversity/people-with-disabilities/ and http://www.paralympics.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=3795&itemtype=document for how to write about disabled people.

Please can your journalists and editors educate themselves and improve the language used about disabled people. Wheelchair users are not bound or confined by their wheelchairs, they are often freed, enabled and empowered by the mobility a wheelchair allows them.

It is society who confines and binds people by being inaccessible and not building sufficient or appropriate housing stock for disabled people's needs. I recommend reading about The Social Model of Disability at Scope's website at http://www.scope.org.uk/about-us/our-brand/talking-about-disability/social-model-disability as well.

I hope the Guardian will update the online version of this article and acknowledge the edit has been made to poor use of language around disability.

Many thanks,