Birmingham LGBT has signed up to this statement.

For a full list of signatories, visit https://www.consortium.lgbt/2021/02/18/census-consenus-statement/

The England and Wales Census 2021- taking place on 21^st March- will ask voluntary questions about your sexual orientation and trans status for the first time. This is a huge step forwards and has come about in part due to tireless campaigning from LGBT organisations and individuals. The inclusion of these questions represents a rare and valuable opportunity to ensure that LGBT communities are counted, which could have a significant impact on future support and recognition from Government and public bodies and services.

As this year’s Census fast approaches, we are calling on LGBT people across England and Wales to answer these important questions.

Currently, there are no robust figures on the number of LGBT people in England and Wales, and existing estimates vary greatly depending on the source. There is also a lack of data on inequalities faced by LGBT people in our nations. As a result, LGBT people’s experiences, and the inequalities affecting our communities, are often not truly recognised by Government and public bodies and services – and LGBT people are missing out as a result. A lack of data makes it harder to recognise and respond to the needs of LGBT communities, and makes it easier to downplay persistent LGBT inequalities.

The data collected through the Census will play an important role in addressing this gap. It will be of particular use to the LGBT sector as we demonstrate the need for national and local Government to increase investment into LGBT-specific support. In the past, Census data on age, ethnicity and a range of other characteristics has been key to evidencing a need for action, and we believe the same is true when it comes to tackling barriers faced by LGBT people.

We are aware that there are valid concerns around privacy and how your personal data is going to be used. We agree that privacy and data protection is of paramount importance and we can reassure our communities that your data will be kept safe and will not be misused. We will work closely with the ONS to ensure they make it clear how this personal data will be protected.

There are robust measures in place to ensure Census data is protected. It is a crime to share personal census information unless required or permitted by law. Laws in place that cover protection of your data include the Data Protection Act 2018, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Census Act 1920 and Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. Personal data collected is owned by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and personal Census data is not shared with any other Government departments, local councils or marketing agencies. Census data is kept confidential and no individual or their responses can be identified in the statistics that are published. Answers on the online questionnaire are protected during entry and passed into ONS systems through a secure transfer mechanism.  Within ONS systems the information is stored within a highly protected area with limited access and sophisticated monitoring to detect suspicious activity.

By answering the sexual orientation and trans status questions, collectively as a community we can play a vital role in ensuring the potential of the Census to improve the lives of LGBT people – and the services provided to us.

 

Saturday 14th December   12.30pm – 4pm, Birmingham LGBT Centre

Birmingham is working hard to become a city where all citizens can thrive and achieve their potential, and creating a healthy, affordable and sustainable food environment across the city is key to this.

When we talk about the food environment in Birmingham we are thinking about how we grow food, transform it from raw materials into dishes, sell it through shops and serve it in schools and care homes, and also how we recycle it and treat food waste.

We are really keen to hear from adults of all ages from the LGBTQI+  community in Birmingham about your thoughts on food and the food choices you make. Birmingham LGBT is contributing to this work by holding a focus group where we will be discussing these topics:

1. Food Beliefs & Choices

• What do you think constitutes a healthy diet?
• What influences your thoughts on a healthy diet?
• How healthy do you think your current diet is?
• What would they make it healthier?
• What is preventing you changing to a healthier diet?
• How have your food choices changed in recent times, if at all?

2. Access to food

• Who buys the food you eat?
• Where is it bought?
• What influences the choice of where to get food?
• How often do you eat out of home?

3. Food transformation & consumptions

• Who cooks the food in your household?
• Do you eat with family, friends – or alone?
• What influences the way food is prepared and eaten?
• How often do you eat pre-prepared food? Is this take-away food or ready meals?

4. Food security

• How secure do you feel about their access to food?
• How does cost affect what you buy?
• Is it difficult to get to where you need to be, to buy the food you prefer?
• Do you have any problems preparing food safely?

5. Food waste

• Do you have views about food waste?
• Do you throw food away often, or rarely?
• Do you worry about wasting food?
• Do you think about what happens to your waste food?

6. Food and Climate Change

• Do you think about the relationship between food and climate change?
• Does awareness of climate change make a difference to your food choices?

As a focus group participant, you will be supported to discuss these topics in a safe and welcoming environment. You will be asked to complete a consent form to take part. We will also ask your consent for any photographs that are taken of the event – you don’t have to have your photo taken if you don’t want to.

Each participant will be given a voucher for £15 to thank you for taking part.

You can find out more about the Birmingham Food Conversation from this video: https://youtu.be/Dlup5Ta7ajA – which will also be played at the focus group.

If you’d like to find out more and take part, please contact Maria on 0121 643 0821 or mariahughes@blgbt.org.

You are also welcome to complete an online survey, whether or not you are involved with the focus group – it’s here: https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/place/birmingham-food-survey/.