Homophobia and Discrimination on

empowering ethnic minority LGBT people to tackle the problems they face in combining
their sexual identity <strong>and</strong> ethnic minority background.
Good practice: Documentary on LGBT persons from ethnic minority communities: ‘My
sister Zahra’ is a documentary made by Saddie Choua in Belgium. It shows the story of
Zahra, a lesbian growing up in a Muslim family. The documentary is screened in high
schools <strong>and</strong> followed by discussions structured on the basis of a methodology
developed by the Flemish LGBT umbrella organisation ‘Holebifederatie’. The initiative is
supported by the Flemish government. 373
Being LGBT with a disability
Being gay <strong>and</strong> having a disability is another intersection requiring particular attention.
Lack of accessibility can be a serious obstacle for the lives <strong>and</strong> needs of LGBT persons,
often affecting their ability to make friends or meet partners. According to a German
study, the sexuality of disabled people is not only often ignored (or it is assumed that
they have none), but mobility issues <strong>and</strong> discrimination within the LGBT community itself
makes contacting potential partners difficult. 374
'It is really difficult sometimes being gay <strong>and</strong> having a disability, especially when it
comes to accessibility. Generally it is extremely difficult getting around in the city <strong>and</strong>
in terms of meeting people it becomes a real problem that there isn’t a single place
which is accessible <strong>and</strong> gay or just gay friendly. It is obviously quite difficult to
become part of a community that you can’t access.' (Maya, 22, Denmark) 375
In two Irish studies 376 regarding persons with disabilities <strong>and</strong> young LGB persons,
respondents referred to experiences of homophobia in disability organisations <strong>and</strong>
communities, as well as to prejudiced attitudes <strong>and</strong> behaviours towards persons with
disabilities in the LGB community. 377 The British country report notes a general lack of
recognition of sexuality issues, interests <strong>and</strong> needs regarding disabled persons in the
373 Belgium, country report
374 T. Rattay (2007). Volle Fahrt voraus – Lesben und Schwule mit Behinderung. Berlin: Querverlag
375 European Commission (2007) Tackling Multiple <strong>Discrimination</strong>. Practices, policies <strong>and</strong> laws, p. 40
376 K. Zappone (ed) (2003) ‘Re-thinking Identity The Challenge of diversity’ Commissioned by the Joint
Equality <strong>and</strong> Human Rights Forum. On the intersection of disability <strong>and</strong> sexual orientation see also
Zappone: Brothers, Michael (2003) It’s not just about Ramps <strong>and</strong> Braille: Disability <strong>and</strong> Sexual Orientation
pp. 49-69. On the intersection of age <strong>and</strong> sexual orientation see Loudes, Christine (2003) ‘Learning to
grow up. Young Lesbians, Gay <strong>and</strong> Bisexual People in Northern Irel<strong>and</strong>’
377 K. Zappone (ed) (2003) ‘Re-thinking Identity The Challenge of diversity’ Commissioned by the Joint
Equality <strong>and</strong> Human Rights Forum p.147 <strong>and</strong> National Disability Authority (2005) Disability <strong>and</strong> Sexual
Orientation: A Discussion Paper. Dublin: NDA
Part II - The Social Situation
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