Rainbow Realities: In-depth analyses of large-scale LGBTQA+ health and wellbeing data in Australia

The Rainbow Realities report has been commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care to inform development of the 10-year LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Action Plan. It reflects the commitment of the Australian Government to ensure the needs and experiences of LGBTIQA+ people are carefully considered in the development of the Action Plan. This report represents one component of the national consultation process, which also includes engagement of an Expert Advisory Group, a report on LGBTIQA+ inclusion within State, Territory, Commonwealth and Public Health Network strategies and action plans, an examination of perceptions on primary care provision for LGBTIQA+ communities and other targeted consultation activities. Rainbow Realities provides a synthesis of pre-existing findings as well as more than 50 new analyses derived from the data of six surveys of LGBTQA+ populations in Australia: Private Lives 3, Writing Themselves In 4, SWASH, Trans Pathways, Walkern Katatdjin (Rainbow Knowledge) and Pride and Pandemic. In total, more than 20,000 LGBTQA+ people participated in these surveys, spanning all parts of the country and a wide range of intersectional backgrounds. The report has been thematically organised into 10 chapters relating to either a key determinant or contributing factor to LGBTQA+ health outcomes, or a topic of particular interest: Mental health and suicidality, Income inequality, housing and experiences of homelessness, Discrimination and abuse, Family violence and sexual assault, Alcohol and other drugs, Relationships, parenting and sexual and reproductive health, Gender affirmation and trans affirming practices, General healthcare, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Intersectional identities.

© ARCSHS, La Trobe University 2023

This report may be downloaded for personal use only. Permission to reproduce this report must be sought from La Trobe University.