New website supports LGBT people in Bucks

A group of voluntary organisations have come together with Bucks County Council and Thames Valley Police to create LGBT Bucks, an attractive new website that offers support across a range of issues for people in Buckinghamshire who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

As well as providing a wealth of general and lifestyle information, the site focuses on major health and wellbeing topics which, although they affect the community in general, raise particular issues for those who are LGBT – including sexual health, domestic abuse, and parenting matters – including fostering and adoption.

Martin Phillips, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Public Health, said: “Attitudes towards people of different sexual orientation or gender identity have undoubtedly improved over the years, but LGBT people still experience residual prejudice and a lack of understanding about their needs and concerns. Our new website will signpost anyone in the LGBT community in Bucksto places where they can find information on their rights and links to organisations that can offer support. It also provides an excellent way for people in the wider community to learn about LGBT issues.”

Beck Brydon, one of Buckinghamshire’s Police Lesbian & Gay Liaison Officers, said: “LGBT Bucks doesn’t hesitate to cover serious safety issues which affect the LGBT community – among these is domestic abuse, which goes underreported in LGBT relationships compared with the wider community. And unfortunately, different sexual orientation and gender identity can still lead to abuse and harassment in some situations – which we must all continue to work together to eliminate. LGBT Bucks gives you advice on staying safe, and how to report it if you do experience any kind of homophobic or transphobic abuse.”

Visit LGBT Bucks: http://lgbtbucks.org/