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LGB & T Communities

The Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Community

Merseyside Police Authority consults with the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual community on a regular basis. We hold three consultation sessions a year specifically looking at LGB policing issues. These meetings are attended by the police service, local councillors and representatives from various agencies depending on the subject matter. We also work closely with the Armistead Centre (an organisation that provides emotional and practical support for the LGB community) and alongside the police service, work hard to raise awareness around issues such as Hate Crime. Authority officers recently attended an event held on IDAHO day to promote the new Hate Crime reporting line, Stop Hate UK.

As a result of feedback from our consultation events, we held a national conference in 2005, 'Time for Change - Building on Good Practice'. The conference looked at policing issues affecting the LGB community and how service provisions could be improved in the future. To see the results, click here.


The Transgender Community

The Authority works closely with the Transgender Community. In 2006, we held a national conference, 'Dysphoria', looking at how the policing family and other external organisations deal with the Trans issues.

Dysphoria Conf

The conference was chaired by Merseyside Police Authority member Tom Kelly and included speakers such as Bernard and Terry Reed from the Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES) and Rebecca Dittman, Chair of The Gender Trust (pictured). The relationships fostered at the conference have continued to develop, specifically with groups such as Transwirral, an organisation set up to advise and support Trans people and their families. To see the results of the conference, click here .