| Abstrakt: |
This position paper arises as a result of the 2000 OPHA position paper "Improving the Access to and Quality of Public Health Services for Lesbian and Gay Men" submitted by the Public Health Alliance for LGBTIQ Equity workgroup. In that paper, the authors note that they are unable to adequately represent the issues of bisexual people and in order to respect the differences between gay men, lesbians and bisexuals they include a resolution that the OPHA support the development of a community based research project and position paper specifically focussing on issues of accessibility and health services needs for bisexuals. Existing research and literature on bisexuality and health has focussed primarily on two topics: HIV/AIDS and mental health, therapy or counselling. Those wishing to find information on other aspects of bisexual health and wellness must sort through the sea of research and writing on gay, lesbian and bisexual health to try to find any bits and pieces that specifically address bisexuals. Even in research where bisexuals are included they are usually not adequately represented and not looked at separately. Although sharing some common concerns with both gay/lesbian and heterosexual persons, bisexuals also have specific experiences and needs regarding health and wellness that need to be researched and addressed. This paper outlines a wide range of these specific experiences and needs based on the results of a community consultation that was undertaken with bisexual communities and individuals in Ontario, in conjunction with the relevant literature. This is a community based participatory action research (PAR) project, which means it is designed for education and action, to work with and empower the people and communities involved in the project. The goal is to improve the access to and quality of public health services for bisexuals by gathering information from bisexuals themselves about their health and wellness needs and experiences, existing gaps in health care services, as well as the barriers they face with regard to meeting these needs and obtaining appropriate services and support. Between January-March 2003, 5 focus groups (4 in Toronto and 1 in Ottawa) and 43 individual semi-structured interviews were conducted for a total of 62 participants from across Ontario. People identifying as bisexual as well as those who have sex with both men and women but don't necessarily identify as bisexual were invited to participate in this project. The first section of the community consultation results addresses the social context of bisexual lives including unique issues facing bisexuals, relationships, social support, LGBT and bisexual community involvement, and specific issues for older bisexuals, youth, bisexuals of diverse cultures and trans people. The second section focuses on health and wellness issues such as disclosure to health care providers, experiences using services (including LBGT services), barriers to care and suggestions for change. The paper concludes with recommendations for action in the areas of additional research, service and program development designed to include bisexuals, public education, and education for providers on the diversity, complexity and wholeness of bisexual people as well as resources and referrals pertaining to bisexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
