Många hbt-personer har utsatts för sexuellt våld
Many LGBT people have been subjected to sexual violence
Marc Skogelin/TT
Published 08:02
Many LGBT people experience discrimination and offensive treatment in everyday life. Image from the Pride Parade in Stockholm 2023. Photo: Robert Eklund/TT
Many LGBT people experience discrimination and offensive treatment in everyday life. A significant number have also been subjected to sexual violence at some point, according to a new report from the Public Health Agency of Sweden.
– It is worrying to have such high figures regarding exposure to violence, says Kalle Röcklinger, investigator at the agency.
The new report on LGBT people's sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is based on the SRHR 2024 survey, which was answered by nearly 16,000 people.
Of the respondents, just over 1,000 were homosexual, bisexual or transgender.
– The report is intended to provide a snapshot of how the LGBT people who responded experience and experience their SRHR, and it gives us an indication of the situation in general, says Röcklinger.
Sexual violence
Many reported experiences of sexual violence, both in digital and physical form. For example, half of the bisexual women, a third of the transgender people and one in five bisexual men stated that someone had done something sexual to them against their will.
– It can involve kissing and touching or being forced to touch someone else, says Kalle Röcklinger.
Physical sexual harassment was even more prevalent.
Many LGBT people, between 18 and 40 percent, had also experienced discrimination and offensive treatment in the last three months.
Treatment
– The fact that the question is asked about the last three months indicates that it is quite common and that it is something that is very relevant.
This can include treatment in healthcare that is perceived as offensive, for example, staff repeatedly using the wrong pronouns (the wrong gender), or people being met with assumptions that they do not need certain care.
– Or, for example, that questions about contraception are not raised in a midwife's consultation because it is assumed that you do not need it, even though you might need it, says Kalle Röcklinger.
At the same time, the report shows that many are satisfied with their health and sex life.
– We should not only paint a dark picture of the sexual health of LGBT people. The vast majority have good general health, and half are satisfied with their sex life. They also report that the relationships are equal.
Facts
Calls for action
The Public Health Agency points to several areas that should be developed to ensure the sexual and reproductive health and rights of homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender people:
Strengthen efforts to prevent sexual violence and ensure access to support and care for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Develop the treatment and LGBT competence at reproductive life events. Research shows that experiencing discrimination and heteronormative attitudes in healthcare can negatively affect LGBT people's trust in healthcare.
Prevention of, for example, sexually transmitted infections and violence and support efforts within SRHR must be adapted to meet the specific needs of LGBT people.
Source: Public Health Agency
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