Diversity

KEY POINTS

• Diversity is broadly used to refer to the varieties of differences between people and communities
• Diversity exists within diversity; people who share a characteristic can and do differ in many other ways
• Recognising diversity as ‘the norm’ is a key concept in the provision of inclusive care
• A diversity informed approach recognises, respects and values diversity
• A diversity informed approach is interconnected with the practice of creating accessible and inclusive services that prioritise equity
• Self-awareness leads to better services for diverse people
• A diversity informed approach requires us to actively address power dynamics and issues of inequity, working to acknowledge privilege and respond to racism, homophobia, transphobia and other systems of oppression
• Some people who identify with diverse identities do not feel that they are part of any community and lack a sense of social connectedness and belonging
• LGBTIQ people from multicultural and diverse faith communities have identified that it is a difficult process to navigate diverse identities and intersecting oppression as they respond to experiences of ‘double discrimination’
• A diversity informed approach is more than ‘recognising differences’, rather it is a social justice approach to care
• Care can be enhanced by actively engaging with and employing diverse individuals and communities; a diverse workforce enhances cultural safety

Be open to diversity, be prepared to listen, be prepared to seek information, be prepared to support where required.

What is Diversity?

The term diversity is broadly used to refer to the varieties of differences between people, inclusive of their ethnicity, language group, faith, sexual orientation, gender expression, abilities, educational background and other factors. 

Within this diversity exists further diversity, recognising that people who share a characteristic (e.g. sexual orientation) can and will differ in many other ways. Building safe and trusting relationships at individual and community levels requires a willingness to learn about the nuances that exist in individual experience and to address the diversity within communities.

Recognising diversity as ‘the norm’ and therefore an expectation within Australian communities is a key concept to the provision of inclusive care, where differences are recognised, respected and valued^{1, 2}.

Inclusion, Equality and Equity

An understanding of diversity is interconnected with the practice of creating accessible and inclusive services that prioritise equity. Equity and equality are often confused. Equality refers to everyone having the same rights and being offered the same opportunities; while equity involves ensuring individuals have what they need to access those rights. For example, all people have a right to access health care (equality) – some people require additional support to access health care and participate fully (equity).

A diversity informed approach requires us to actively address power dynamics and issues of inequity, as we consider the ways in which identities overlap and intersect to produce a range of experiences and needs.³

Diversity and Belonging

Some people who identify with diverse identities do not feel that they are part of a community and lack a sense of social connectedness and belonging. This sense of social and relational isolation can have significant health impacts.^{4, 5}

Double Discrimination

Literature and conversations with LGBTIQ people from multicultural and diverse faith communities identify the complex process of navigating diverse identities and intersecting oppression as they respond to experiences of ‘double discrimination’.

A diversity informed approach is therefore more than ‘recognising differences’. Rather, it is a social justice approach that dynamically seeks to understand people in their experiences and social-political context, responding to systemic discrimination and oppression.

Self-Awareness and Inclusion

Self-awareness leads to better services for diverse people. Reflecting on personal and organisational culture, values, and beliefs and on the impact racism, classism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia and other systems of oppression have on the lives of individuals and communities supports diversity informed, culturally safe services and practice.

Lived Experience and Representation

Designing for the participation of diverse identities, voices and experiences is a foundational step in enhancing social inclusion and feelings of belonging across communities and organisations. When people who have experienced stigma or discrimination have the opportunity to speak about their experiences and needs, they are able to both increase understandings of the issues that impact their communities³ and provide insight to guide future research and areas of change⁷.

Positive and realistic representations of individuals from diverse backgrounds in both the media and everyday life have been shown to positively affect the self-esteem and feelings of self-worth for people who have felt stigmatised or isolated due to their social identities⁸. An organisation’s responsiveness can be greatly enhanced by actively engaging with and employing individuals with lived experience in both areas of service provision and policy development; a diverse workforce enhances cultural safety.