This report was compiled to inform the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. It presents data on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, queer and asexual (LGBTQA+) people with disability in Australia. These data are from two large national online surveys, Writing Themselves In 4 and Private Lives 3, which were conducted in 2019. Writing Themselves In 4 focused on young people aged 14-21 years and Private Lives 3 focused on adults aged 18 years and older.

The report covers a wide range of experiences and issues of concern for LGBTQA+ people with disability. This includes: disclosure of their sexuality or gender identity to others, and the extent to which they feel accepted or supported when doing so; how safe they feel at work, in educational contexts and in LGBTQA+-specific spaces; their experiences of harassment, abuse and discrimination; family and intimate partner violence; their mental health or experiences of suicidal ideation or attempt; and how connected they feel to communities of people living with disability and/or those who are LGBTQA+.

In this report we closely attend to the principle of intersectionality. Living with disability is only one aspect of life and the experiences and needs of people with disability can also be shaped by a variety of other identities or characteristics that they may hold (for example, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or cultural background, migration history, faith etc.). Intersectionality is a means of recognising how these can overlap or interconnect and, in some instances, contribute to complex forms of discrimination or disadvantage.

We anticipate the findings will be of use to all those working to support people with disability and for all organisations, policy makers and other stakeholders who work to ensure safe and affirming environments for both people with disability and those who are LGBTQA+. (From the website). Record #7956