Exploring the health and wellbeing of lesbian, bisexual, queer and same sex attracted women living in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions

Abstract

The Labrys Project is a partnership initiative between ACON and Women’s Health – Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) carried out between 2014 and 2015. While lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women’s health research is increasing in Australia, epidemiological data around key issues affecting LBQ women’s health is inconsistent. The Labrys Project extended objectives from the Sydney Women and Sexual Health Survey (SWASH) to provide a snapshot of LBQ women’s health and wellbeing in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions of NSW, in order to provide a regional and rural perspective to LBQ women’s health and to inform local services and strategies. Between October 2014 and March 2015, 107 LBQ women completed the Illawarra Shoalhaven Women’s Health and Wellbeing Survey; in addition, two focus groups were held in Warilla and Nowra involving 7 LBQ women.