LGBT

The NHS Tayside Sexual and Reproductive Health Service including the MOT and HIV services were awarded the Gold LGBT Youth Scotland Charter Mark in October 2017 with the official presentation on 18^th January 2018.

The LGBT Charter is a recognised accreditation demonstrating our services commitment to all LGBT people in the local area. It aims to send a positive message to LGBT people that you are included, valued, supported, and will be treated fairly when you engage with our services. It makes it clear to other organisations, service users, and the public that equality and diversity is at the heart of our services, and to reassure people that our workplace is safe and supportive.

The Charter process involved staff training, reviewing service policies, guides and patient information to ensure it was in line with legislation and respectful to individuals of all sexualities and genders and patient surveys to identify whether attendees felt the service was LGBT friendly.

The Charter process has raised our own awareness of the needs and rights of LGBT people and we are continually working to ensure these are met so you have every confidence in us.

If you have any suggestions on how we can improve our services please get in touch by email to bbvmcn.tayside@nhs.net

The word lesbian is used to describe a girl or woman who is attracted, both sexually and emotionally to other girls or women.

Your Sexual Health

Some women are not aware that they can catch sexually transmitted infections if they only have sex with other women. Any close genital contact including oral sex or using the same hand when touching yourself and then your partner, can put you at risk.

If having oral sex a dam (or cut up condom) could be used. Always use a fresh one for different partners. They come in a range of flavours and colours and are available free of charge at most places where condoms are available.

If using sex toys it is important to put a fresh condom on the toy each time, especially if the toy is to be used on more than one person.

Smear tests

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer, can be passed on during sexual activity between two women. Genital HPV is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Practising safer sex reduces the risk of being infected with HPV but it will not completely remove the risk as HPV lives on the skin around the whole genital area. This means that regular smear tests are still important for those who identify as lesbian.

The word gay is used to describe both men and women but is more commonly associated with men who are attracted both sexually and emotionally to other men.

The term bisexual describes a person who is attracted to both sexes.

Your Sexual Health

Gay and Bisexual men can be at increased risk of all STIs. In the past 5 years there has been a significant increase in the diagnoses of Gonorrhoea and Syphilis. Other infections on the rise include sexually acquired Shigella, Lymphogranuloma venerum (LGV) and Hepatitis A.

We offer a free and confidential service for gay and bi-sexual men in Tayside called Men Only Tayside. This service was co-designed with, local gay & bisexual men, promoting sexual good health in Tayside. For more information visit www.menonlytayside.com

The term bisexual describes a person who is attracted to both sexes.

Your Sexual Health

Some women are not aware that they can catch sexually transmitted infections if they have sex with other women. Any close genital contact including oral sex or using the same hand when touching yourself and then your partner, can put you at risk.

If using sex toys it is important to put a fresh condom on the toy each time, especially if the toy is to be used on more than one person.

Gay and Bisexual men can be at increased risk of all STIs. In the past 5 years there has been a significant increase in the diagnoses of Gonorrhoea and Syphilis. Other infections on the rise include sexually acquired Shigella, Lymphogranuloma venerum (LGV) and Hepatitis A.

Transgender is an umbrella term used to cover the many ways in which a person can express their gender which usually is different to gender given at birth.

Your Sexual Health

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can affect anyone. They are passed on through unprotected sex in the vagina, anus, mouth or by genital skin contact.

Our specialist sexual and reproductive health staff are trained to ensure our service is welcoming and safe for transgender people.

Our triage forms provide the opportunity for you to select your gender identity and staff will check with you the language you prefer to use to describe yourself, your body and sexual activity.

Feeling confident to disclose this information to our staff will help tailor your care (and part of the medical history check will ask if a patient is on any hormone blockers, hormone replacement or has had any genital surgery).

The National Gender Identity Clinical Network for Scotland (NGICNS) website is an information hub providing access to information about the National Managed Clinical Network, gender care and services for Scottish transgender service users.

Men Only Tayside (MOT)

MOT is our local service for gay & bisexual men, promoting good sexual health in Tayside.

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) Scotland works in partnership with NHS Tayside to deliver the Men Only Tayside service. THT Scotland works locally to provide face to face, email or phone support; covering a wide range of topics and provides a community clinic at the Cairn Centre, Dundee. NHS Tayside offer MOT clinics in our Specialist Service Clinics at Ninewells, Dundee and Drumhar, Perth. In addition to testing for infections and providing treatment we can discuss other issues in your life that may be impacting on your sexual health.

For more information visit www.menonlytayside.com or visit our Facebook page

Allsorts

Allsorts is Dundee’s LGBT Youth Group for 13-16 year olds. If you would like to come along please get in touch before hand and we can arrange a chat with you to give you more information about the group.

The group runs every Tuesday from 6.00-8.00pm at The Shore, 15 Shore Terrace, Dundee DD1 3DN.

If you would like to come along to the group or find out more about Allsorts you can get in touch with us by emailing: Barry barry.jordan@lgbtyouth.org.uk

Spectrum

Spectrum is Dundee’s LGBT youth Group for those aged 16 to 25. This group meets every Wednesday from 6.30pm-8.30pm in the Corner Drop In and is welcoming new members along.

If you would like to come along please get in touch and we can arrange a time to meet to give you some more information about the group. If you would like to come along to the group or find out more about Spectrum you can get in touch with us by emailing jordan@lgbtyouth.org.uk

More information on both groups which are led by LGBT Youth Scotland HERE

The Revels of Angus

The Revels group is for people aged 14 – 18 interested in equality issues. The group is open to everyone but has an LGBT+ focus.

The group meets every Monday (during term time) from 6 – 8 pm in the Learner Engagement Space, Isla Building, Dundee and Angus College, Keptie Road, Arbroath

If you would like to know more please contact:

Communities team:

01241 438256,

email: cldarbroath@angus.gov.uk

or Tatiana Zorina: 01241 432861, email: tzorina@dundeeandangus.ac.uk

Hate Crime is any incident committed against a person or property that is motivated by malice or ill-will towards people because of their sexual orientation, transgender identity, disability, race, or religion.

LGBT people unfortunately remain the targets of Hate Crime and many are still unwilling to report these incidents. Hate Crime is against the law. Everyone has the right to live safely and without fear and you can help put an end to hate crime by reporting it.

You can report a Hate Crime as follows:

By Telephone 999 (emergency) 101 (non-emergency)
In person at any Police station
Via a third party reporting site like our Sexual & Reproductive Health Services or MOT
Or by clicking the following link – Hate Crime Reporting Form

If it is an emergency and police attendance is immediately required to prevent injury to any person or to arrest offenders for a serious offence then dial 999.

In some cases victims/witnesses of Hate Crime do not feel comfortable reporting the matter directly to the Police and may be more comfortable reporting it to someone they are familiar with.

To ensure all victims/witnesses are able to report Hate Crimes, Police Scotland works with a wide variety of partners who perform the role of Third Party Reporting Centres.

NHS Tayside Sexual and Reproductive Health Service and MOT Service are trained third party reporting centres and can assist a victim or witness in submitting a report to the police or make such a report on the victim/witnesses behalf.

You can complete an online hate crime form on the Police Scotland website or to find out more information on reporting hate crime and third party reporting please visit the Police Scotland website

If it is an emergency and police attendance is immediately required to prevent injury to any person or to arrest offenders for a serious offence then dial 999.

LGBT Youth Scotland
The largest Youth and community based organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Scotland
lgbtyouth.org.uk/

Scottish Trans Alliance
An Equality Network project to improve gender identity and gender reassignment equality, rights and inclusion in Scotland
scottishtrans.org/

LGBT Centre for Health & Wellbeing
A community initiative that promotes the health, wellbeing and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Scotland with a range of online support resources available to download and a national LGBT helpline.
t: 0300 123 2523
w: lgbthealth.org.uk

Stonewall Scotland
Stonewall Scotland campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people across Britain.
t: 08000 502020
w: www.stonewallscotland.org.uk/

Parents Enquiry Scotland
Information and help line for parents and families of lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender people
t: 0131 556 6047
w: www.parentsenquiryscotland.org/

Age UK
Age UK is the largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. Their “Safe to be me” resource aims to help health and social care services meet the needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
T: 0800 169 80 80
W: www.ageuk.org.uk

Men Only Tayside
MOT is our local service, co-designed with local gay & bisexual men, promoting sexual good health in Tayside
w: www.menonlytayside.com

An app is also available to download for apple and android devices.

Cool2Talk
Is our local interactive service where young people can access information on a wide range of topics including LGBT and is a confidential place for young people to freely ask questions about things that are affecting them. A trained member of staff will respond within 24 hours.
www.cool2talk.org

Breathing Space
Advisors provide listening advice and information for people in Scotland feeling low, stressed or anxious
www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

Films
A couple of fun films looking real life experiences and dealing with that awkward moment around sexual health & relationships for men in Tayside:
Get F****d”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82oGL4FH8SI

That Awkward moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfxnRM86VMI

In Tayside we are very lucky to have two Pride events both of which held their inaugural events in 2018.

These events have been really fun and successful and are a great way of showing our support and celebrating with our LGBT population. Just take a look at this short film from Perth Pride 2019 with guest of honour Sir Ian McKellan!

Due to coronavirus neither event is physically going ahead in 2020 but Dundee are holding a Virtual Pride via their twitch channel on 1st August 2020 which we are supporting and promoting our services including PrEP.

We hope you will support and enjoy this virtual event too and will look forward to celebrating in style with you all in 2021. More information and a link to the event are available on Dundee Pride Facebook Page.