To assist with the understanding of this topic it is appropriate at the outset to include two personal comments received from the community,

"I would like to see some reference to the fact that being gay is not a choice, I couldn't choose to be straight anymore than a straight person could choose to be gay I believe I was born the way I am".

"Many same sex relationships are not just about having sex together, they have just as much commitment as straight relationships, some people who don't understand just focus on the sexual element, but there is much more to it than that".

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Communities

Many lesbians, gay men and bisexuals are not open about their sexuality, many have not fully come to terms with their sexuality themselves. Some would have been married earlier in their lives, some may still be and many will be "out" to varying degrees. This can be because of a fear of violence, ridicule, or discrimination from within family relationships, friends or colleagues at work. Society and Religion have historically held homophobic views against the gay community. Many current laws are seen by the gay community as discriminatory and biased.

Sexual orientation should not be an issue when someone is involved with the police, in whatever context. However, attacks and other incidents associated with homophobia (i.e. a hatred or fear of lesbian, gay or bisexual) need to be regarded in a different light to other incidents reported to the police, as they involve a specific hatred against sections of the community.

For some time it has been the case that the gay community have been reluctant to report any crime against them because of the perception that the police may be prejudiced. The circumstances of the offence (locality, people involved etc) may also affect reporting rates. Sometimes, men who come forward with, what appears to be a relatively minor physical injury, but appear very distressed, may well have suffered a far more serious assault than first indicated, for example, rape.

Consider:

• Many will only give you little more than the basic outline of the incident.
• If they can sense in you, understanding, empathy and most importantly a lack of hostility/homophobia, victims and witnesses will be more open.
• If you reinforce the stereotype held against you, by inappropriate terminology or being dismissive, victims and witnesses are unlikely to trust you enough to discuss intensely personal and embarrassing details.
• Lesbians can be more at risk from violence than other women because of prejudiceabout their different lifestyle, particularly if they have to travel alone and use public transport, or go on foot.
• In addition to assault and damage to property (e.g. graffiti etc), anti lesbian activity can occur in less obvious ways, e.g. theft of property, and obscene telephone calls. It is, therefore, particularly important that you take care to check in a sensitive manner, complaints that are made, which appear on the surface to be anti female, but which may be anti lesbian as well.
• Same sex partnerships are not recognised in the same way as marriages, so can be an additional source of concern when considering contact with the police.

Identifying and recording homophobic incidents;

"A homophobic incident is any incident which is perceived to be homophobic by the victim or any other person"

Consider:

• The general principle should be that you create the environment, whereby, people will be willing to identify themselves as subject to homophobic violence and abuse.
• The interview should take place in an appropriate part of the police station, or other premises, which is private.
• You should use a sensitive style of communication and demonstrate a reasonable level of understanding of lesbian and gay issues.
• You should provide the victim with a clear explanation of police procedures and an honest assessment, in respect of identifying those responsible.
• Lesbian and gay men do not seek preferential treatment from any other group having dealings with the police.
• It is recognised that many homophobic incidents are not reported to the police, or, that the complainant will withhold vital information, to ensure that his/her sexual orientation remains confidential.
• There are a number of groups who can provide specialist support to members of the gay community, these groups should be born in mind for referral, for example, Terrance Higgins Trust, Gay Men's Health Projects.

It is essential that you maintain confidentiality throughout. Victims and witnesses need assurance that this information goes nowhere else e.g. to employers, family or friends. Tell them that it will remain confidential - by doing so you break down another barrier.

It should be made clear to young people who are victims or witnesses that their families need not be made aware of the incident and that full confidentiality will be maintained wherever possible within the bounds of the law. Young victims and witnesses may refuse to proceed where there is the belief that parents will be informed. In such cases consideration should be given to using an appropriate adult rather than a parent/carer.

Appropriate terminology - Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Communities

The use of appropriate terminology should be undertaken as part of an effective form of communication with the lesbian and gay community. In many cases it will not be necessary to refer to sexual orientation, but when it is, there are some basic guidelines. Hard and fast rules are not always possible, but to use the phrase "lesbians and gay men" when talking about sexual orientation in general is likely to be satisfactory for most situations. "Homosexual" in most people's minds relate to men only, this is not the case, however as the word is interpreted differently by many, and relates to sexual practice as opposed to sexual orientation, it is best avoided..

Other words, many slightly archaic and best avoided, include:

• Passive homosexual - use the term "gay man"
• Practising homosexual - ditto above
• A woman with lesbian tendencies - just say lesbian
• Unnatural - avoid this word totally, used in this arena it is truly offensive - what is normal to you, may be unusual to another, don't judge.
• Deviant - ditto above - often prefixed with "sexual".
• Frequent - use the term "often visited", "enjoyed going to" - frequent is normally used in reference to criminals.

Whilst some women will identify themselves as gay rather than lesbian, the use of both words helps ensure that both men and women are included, when addressing community groups etc. Some people will also identify themselves as bisexual, in which case that will be the term to use. If in doubt tactfully ask the people you are addressing at the time. This will not cause offence and will show that you are handling the situation professionally.

The use of inappropriate terminology can lead to unintended assumptions about your level of expertise and understanding in providing quality and equality of service. Whilst few will complain about honest attempts, the more you know before hand the easier your job will be.

Do not underestimate the influence of your own upbringing in the way that it may affect your perception and behaviour towards others.

Definitions:

• Gay man - a man who finds other men sexually attractive - not all gay men are sexually active. The word "gay" is being used more frequently by gay men to describe their sexual orientation.
• Lesbian/gay woman - a woman who finds other women sexually attractive - not all gay/lesbian women are sexually active. The word "gay" is being used more frequently by lesbians to describe their sexual orientation.
• Bisexual - a man or woman who finds both members of the opposite sex and their same sex sexually attractive.
• Transgender - for members of the Transgender community please see their separate section.
• Cottage/cottaging - the term used to identify public toilet meeting areas, where predominantly men attend to meet other men, often to instigate or engage in sexual acts (the name was derived from the likeness of isolated public toilets to cottages).
• Cruising - similar to Cottaging, however Cruising spots are often in places where no buildings exist such as lay-bys and woodland.

From the definitions list it is important to note that both Transsexuals and Transvestites in most cases do not identify as being lesbian or gay. If you are dealing with a cross-dresser it is important not to make assumptions. Transvestism is classed as a fetish and to call a transsexual a transvestite can cause offence and vice-versa. Whilst neither group neatly fits within the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual category, they are still worthy of note under this section as in reality should they receive abuse or harassment due to their lifestyles. The abuse will in nearly all cases be homophobic in nature.

It should also be understood that a large percentage of men who visit "Cottaging and Cruising" sites, are in fact heterosexual. Many will have wives and children and to all intents and purposes live a "straight" lifestyle. These are men who like to have sex with men, and do not even think of themselves as bisexual (you may think this a contradiction however it is no more a contradiction than gay men being raped during a homophobic attacks, and this happens disturbingly often). Visitors to these sites are particularly vulnerable, with many crimes and incidents unreported due to fear of exposure to their families, the media and the Police to name but a few.