Fiona

I would like to raise concerns that on page 16 of the issues paper, people who identify as “non-hetero” eg GLBTI/gender fluid etc are not included as a group that potentially (and usually) will find this extra “othering” to add to the difficulty in securing and maintaining employment particularly when they have a disability.

Queer people are at higher risk of mental illness and discrimination in general
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/resources/for-me/lesbian-gay-bi-trans-and-intersex-lgbti-people/factors-affecting-lgbti-people

Trans* and people whose gender expression can lead to discrimination are at particularly high risk of difficulty in interview situations. From talking to friends, they have experienced difficulty in having mental health and employment workers treat them with respect and understanding. This has included a “butch” friend being instructed to wear makeup and skirt suits to appear more feminine and transgender friends experiencing barriers when it comes to providing documents and so forth – all while experiencing depression, anxiety and other serious mental illnesses.