What's the Difference?

Foreword

The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Gay and Lesbian Health (MACGLH) was established in April of 2000 to advise the Minister for Health and the Department of Human Services on matters relating to the health and wellbeing of members of Victoria’s gay and lesbian communities. The Committee’s terms of reference were extended to include the health concerns of bisexual, transgender and intersex people, insofar as they overlap with those of gay men and lesbians.

On behalf of the MACGLH, the Department commissioned five research papers that address areas of major health concern for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) Victorians. These areas were identified following an initial round of community consultations in which the Department called for submissions from GLBTI organisations and individuals regarding the key health issues they faced. Each of the five papers covers one of the following:

• Physical health.

• Sexual health.

• Mental health.

• Life stage issues.

• Drug and alcohol issues.

This publication consists of edited versions of the five research papers and an accompanying introductory paper that develops a framework for understanding patterns of health and illness specific to GLBTI people. The resource is the first of its kind to be produced within Australia and offers a preliminary outline of the current health status of GLBTI Victorians. Because both the papers and the work of the MACGLH are covering new ground, it is important that this resource is made available to people with an interest in GLBTI health issues. The papers represent an invaluable research tool for anyone concerned with understanding the health effects of sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination and with improving the health and wellbeing of GLBTI people.