On International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, Aimee Challenor, Equalities (LGBTIQ) Spokesperson, Green Party of England and Wales, commented:
“It is an absolute outrage that still in 2016 so many LGBTIQA people face discrimination and hate. This year’s topic is mental health - which is entirely appropriate given the LGBTIQA community see mental health professionals at a disproportionate rate to other members of society.
"Child and adolescent mental health services need to improve dramatically in how they treat LGBTIQA young people. Adult mental health services need to stop making generalisations around sexuality and gender identity.
"We’ve seen in the Trans Inquiry Report that the NHS is failing trans people. Figures from Stonewall show that health professionals are still being discriminatory towards LGBTIQA people. In a modern and compassionate society we should be accepting every individual freely, honestly and openly, for the value they bring to our lives and our communities. That is why today I am calling upon the Secretary of State for Health – Mr Jeremy Hunt, to improve mental health services for LGBTIQA people, for him to ensure that standards and laws are being met, and that LGBTIQA people are treated with dignity and respect.
"We must work harder to battle discrimination in the media, our workplaces and schools, and in day-to-day life, and the Green Party will continue to work with LGBTIQA activists in the push for equality.”