Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE, said:
“I welcome the publication of the Welsh Government’s LGBTQ+ Action Plan, and the ambition to make Wales the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe.
“Publishing the plan is an important step towards ensuring that the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Wales are recognised and upheld, and tackling barriers that can prevent LGBTQ+ people from accessing the services and support they may need.
“I am pleased that many of the points I raised in my response to the consultation on the draft plan – such as the need for greater recognition of how discrimination of LGBTQ+ people may be exacerbated by other forms of discrimination such as ageism, and the need for clear timescales for delivering the identified action – are reflected within the plan.
“However, more detail is needed on the action that will be taken to tackle the particular issues that LGBTQ+ people may face as they get older, something I will be raising with the Welsh Government.
“Evaluating the impact of the plan effectively is also essential, and further detail is needed from the Welsh Government about how this will be delivered to ensure that everyone’s experiences – including the experiences of older people – are properly captured and reflected.
“In taking forward the action set out in the plan, it’s crucial that older people are at the heart of the design, development and delivery of services to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are properly understood.”
LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales
