4. Statement by the Leader of the House: International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:29 pm on 15 May 2018.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 4:29, 15 May 2018

Thank you for that series of comments and questions. In terms of why we are having this discussion again, I actually think it's really important for us to have the discussion very frequently. I make no apology at all for revisiting it. I actually think that we should probably revisit it more frequently than every 15 years, because things move. Things move on, people bring different agendas to the table, the community itself raises different issues and Government policy needs to adapt and change. So, for example, looking at the bullying in schools, which you raised, we have a large number of plans to be able to conquer some of the issues that we face. So, for example, we publish lesson plans for schools on gender- and transgender-based bullying, which are aimed at key stages 3 and 4, which are all on Hwb. We are, as I said, updating the guidance. It's published for consultation later this year, and it does include guidance on bullying incidents related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. That guidance is being produced very closely with education practitioners, other partners and children and young people to ensure that the revised guidance has the maximum impact possible.

I think that Mark Isherwood makes a very good point: co-production is something we're very wedded to, and the guidance needs to ensure that it has the endorsement of all of the people for whom it is intended to have the maximum impact, and that is the purpose of the new consultation, because methodologies change, delivery of systems change, and we need to adapt accordingly.

He also mentioned a number of other issues. I'm not sure I've got time to cover them all, but in particular he mentioned health. I'm particularly pleased to say that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services published a written statement last year, which confirmed a new adult gender identity service is to be established in Wales to enable transgender people to access the care they need closer to their homes. The Cabinet Secretary wrote again in February this year to reassure the transgender community and other stakeholders that the Welsh Government remains committed to the improvements announced last August. Five hundred thousand pounds has been committed for those improvements, and the business case for the new Welsh gender team in Cardiff is now agreed. The funding has also been agreed for a GP to cover the immediate prescribing needs ahead of the establishment of the GP network that was announced during that thing, so things are moving on.

There are a number of other issues that Mark Isherwood raised, which I'm sure will come up, Deputy Presiding Officer, in the comments of other people. If not, I will try and cover them off later on.