Lesbian Health Action Group
Welcome to the Lesbian Health pages of the QAHC website. Here you will find information, resources and research on health issues for lesbians and other same sex attracted women. You'll also find info on the QAHC Lesbian Health Action Group, which is leading on lesbian health for QAHC. As we expand our health work with lesbians we'll add more to these pages, so please visit regularly to check out any updates. Contents
Lesbian Health Issues PaperThis paper has been written to inform the work of the QAHC Lesbian Health Action Group (LHAG) in developing a Queensland Lesbian Health Strategy. The paper does not seek to be a comprehensive academic literature review of all issues relating to lesbian health, but rather seeks to highlight current, urgent and relevant health issues pertinent to Queensland Lesbians. The paper is designed to be brief and user-friendly so that it is readily utilised in raising awareness of lesbian health issues. Evidence used in the paper is from an Australian (preferably Queensland) context and has been selected based on currency, relevance, and on the significance of the health issues that impact on the lesbian community. Whilst we have conducted an extensive search of the literature related to lesbian health over many months, we apologise in advance for any omissions. Our aim has been to present the most important and relevant evidence at hand. Further, we acknowledge that research on lesbian health issues is difficult to compare and analyse due to the wide variances in methodological preparations of study populations (Mravcak, 2006). Some studies use three categories (homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual) whereas others use large scales of up to seven categories to classify sexual orientation. This means more or less women may be captured in the various studies. This methodological phenomenon has been taken into account when reviewing the evidence presented herein. Download the LHAG Lesbian Health Issues paper prepared by Kate Allen in 2009
Lesbian Health Action GroupThe Lesbian Health Action Group (LHAG) was formed by Healhty Communities in 2008 to lead on the development of health initiatives for lesbians and other same sex attracted women. The goals of the group are:
Membership of the Action Group is open to all those who support the goals of the Group and are willing to work to achieve them. The term ‘Lesbian', for the purpose of the work of the Lesbian Health Action Group refers to all people who identify as lesbian, bisexual, queer and same sex attracted and trans women in Queensland. Over the coming months the Group will:
Dowload the Action Group Terms of Reference
LHAG MeetingsMeetings of the Action Group are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month, 6.30pm at QAHC Brisbane. All are welcome to attend If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact QAHC on 3017 1777 or email womenshealth@qahc.org.au
LHAG VolunteersLHAG is always looking for women who are interested in volunteering. Volunteer activities include:
Contact LHAG to register your interest in becoming a volunteer.
LHAG would like to thank a number of businesses and organisaitons that help us deliver our work to the community:
What has LHAG Done?Since 2008 LHAG has undertaken a range of activities to assist in the improving of the health and wellbeing of lesbian, bisexual and same-sex attracted women in Queensland. Our activities have included Health Promotion
Survey of Community Needs
Community Events
Physical Health
Social Activities
We would like to thank all those who have donated their time and money to LHAG to make these activities possible!
We also have plans for the future including:
We have a Planning Day scheduled for January 19th 2013 for those who would like to contribute to the direction and planning of activities for 2013. Please contact womenshealth@qahc.org.au for details. 2012 Planning Day Facebook Event
LHAG Social Events for LesbiansTo join the mailing list please email lhageventsl@gmail.com for regualar updates on events You can also keep up to date by joining the LHAG Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/QAHC.LHAG Lesbian and Trans* Community Groups Showcase - SAT 25th May
Yoga for Lesbians
Calendar of Events February to April 2013
Did You Know? Lesbian Health FactsLESBIANS NEED PAP SMEARS!
LESBIANS GET STIs TOO!
LESBIANS SUFFER FROM MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES!
LESBIANS ‘USE’ MORE THAN THEIR FAIR SHARE!
LESBIANS NEED TO BE BREAST AWARE!
LESBIANS NEED TO LOOK AFTER THEIR HEALTH!
References:
QAHC Resources for Lesbians and Women Who Have Sex With Women
Healthy Communities and Brisbane Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (BDVAS) an activity of Micah Projects are proud to present an important new resource for the LGBTIQ Community - “Queer without Fear – LGBTI Domestic and Family violence and its Impacts”. Lesbians and Breast Cancer Factsheet provides information on breast cancer, self-examination techniques, having mammograms and risk factors for Lesbians regarding breast cancer. Lesbians and Sexual Health Factsheet provides information on sexual health, sexually transmissible infections and sexual health check ups for lesbians. Looking After Your Cervix: HPV and Pap Smears Factsheet provides information on Pap smears, HPV and risk factors relating to Cervical Cancer for lesbians. Other Lesbian Health ResourcesACON - www.acon.org.au/womens-health/Resources
Family Planning Queensland and Women's Health Queensland Wide
University of Melbourne
Pap Screen Victoria and Cancer Council of Victoria
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT
South Australia (Mulligan and Heath)
Southern Womens Community Health Centre (SA)
Gay and Lesbian Foundation (UK)
Lesbian Research Reports & StrategiesThe Health and Well-Being of Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Western Australia report provides an insight into the health outcomes, inequalities and community connectedness of women who have sex with women in Western Australia. Produced by the Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research, WA, 2007. Health of lesbian, bisexual and queer women in Sydney: The 2004 Sydney Women and Sexual Health Survey provides an insight into the sexual health, practices and partners, as well as drug use and knowledge of health risks for LBQ women in Sydney. Published by National Centre in HIV Social Research, NSW, 2005. Turning Point: ACON Lesbian Health Strategy 2008-1011 a guiding document to inform ACON’s whole-of-organisation approach to service and program delivery to lesbians and same-sex attracted women, and to equip ACON with an effective lobbying and fundraising tools Lesbian Accessible ServicesDocLIST is an online list of doctors recommended by lesbian and bisexual women, administered by Alliance member the Australian Lesbian Medical Association. DocLIST is a free service to lesbian and bisexual women within the community. www.doclist.com.au Women's Health Queensland Wide is a not-for-profit health promotion, information and education service www.womhealth.org.au Family Planning Queensland provides sexual and reproductive health services to the Queensland population www.fpq.com.au Brisbane Domestic Violence and Advocacy Service (BDVAS) is a community based organisation that provides a free and
Brisbane - Speak to Sally Morris or Ricki Menzies on womenshealth@qahc.org.au or by calling 3017 1777 Cairns - lhagcairns@qahc.org.au. Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/groups/QAHC.LHAG Brisbane LHAG Social Events - lhagevents@gmail.com |