Background

The NHS and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans History Month

LGBT History Month’s support comes from organisations including the DH, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Ministry for Justice and the Trade Union Congress and there is a national online resource which provides free listing for events across the country and other information about LGBT History.
www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk (website)
LGBT History Month is the largest cultural and educational event in Britain, holding over 600 events nationally in 2007. LGBT History Month presents the NHS an exciting opportunity to engage with new community members and to fulfill its role in providing equal coverage for all six of the equality strands: Age, Disability, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Race and Ethnicity, Religion and Belief.
Hosting LGBT events during LGBT History Month creates an opportunity for the NHS to network with local LGBT communities.
In 2005 the Department of Health held a high profile event at Skipton House, where Sir Nigel Crisp and Surrinder Sharma celebrated the historical contributions of LGBT people alive and dead and spoke about their personal and professional commitment to tackling homophobia in the health service and delivering a health service with is inclusive for all, especially LGBT people.

‘First, we need to respect and value all the people we work with, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, so that we can attract and retain the best people to work in health and social care and so that they can reach their full potential.

And second, we need to develop and deliver health and social care services which are responsive to the needs and preferences of all groups in society, to improve people’s experience of services and to deliver equitable health outcomes to all our service users.’
Sir Nigel Crisp, LGBT History Month Event 2005

Black History Month has shown how successful bridging the gap between health service providers and commissioners and communities can be in building better relationships and fundamentally improving population health. LGBT history month also provides an exciting opportunity to help improve awareness and knowledge amongst healthcare staff and patients.
Homophobia and transphobia create unsafe spaces and make discrimination and harassment a daily occurrence for LGBT people. Because of discrimination, LGBT people have higher rates for depression, alcohol and drug use, suicide and mental health issues. By creating safe spaces, informed staff and dedicated programs for LGBT patients, the NHS can counter this reality and deeply improve the health of LGBT people.
LGBT History Month is a valuable opportunity for the NHS to showcase new and existing programs that actively work to improving the health of the LGBT community.
This briefing provides some useful information which we hope will aide individuals and trusts to recognize this celebration of LGBT History and provide the basis on which to build some community events for your local LGBT community.

Opportunities for the NHS during LGBT History Month

• Publicize LGBT History Month in health settings
• Host a community forum on LGBT Health
• Use LGBT History Month as an opportunity to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity with your workforce in trainings and briefings
• Ask how you can better support LGBT staff, perhaps through setting up an LGBT staff network
• Write an article in the local health magazine:
• – Highlight a key historical LGBT health figure
• – Focus on a specific LGBT related health issue
• – Publicize a new or ongoing LGBT health service
• – Build better links with local LGBT organizations to find out how you can better support LGBT patients in your area
• Put on a display of LGBT texts and pictures in your library spaces
• Display posters with positive images of same-sex couples and trans people
• Create, distribute and publicize LGBT health materials
• Consider asking older LGBT members of the community to give a talk about being LGBT and accessing health services
• Use the month as an opportunity to create and publicize new services:
• – If you have a local walking fitness group, consider having a LGBT history themed event which highlights local landmarks with a LGBT link
• – Create LGBT specific services, for example: a smoking cessation group for LGBT people
• Use the opportunity to re-enforce awareness of recent legislation
• Attend a local FFLAG meeting and promote awareness of LGBT health programs
• Sponsor local LGBT groups’ LGBT History Month events

LGBT History Month is looking forward to publicizing your event and helping you network with your local communities. Log on to our calendar of events to register and publicize your event here.

Legislation

The Civil Partnership Act (2005) allows same-sex couples to enter a civil partnership giving them the same next of kin rights in relation to healthcare as married couples.
The Employment Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) (2003) makes it illegal to discriminate against Lesbians, Gay Men and Bisexuals in employment.
The Gender Recognition Act (2004) allows transgender individuals recognition of their acquired gender and protection under discrimination through the sex discrimination act (1975)
The Equality Act (2007) makes it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation in the distribution of goods, facilities and services.
See also our resources page [intlink id=”224″ type=”post”]here[/intlink].

Useful Resources for LGBT Health Providers

“Reducing Health Inequalities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People” -NHS and Department of Health (2007)
“An Introduction to Working with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people: Information for Health and Social Care Staff” -Department of Health (2007)
“Fair for All: The Wider Challenge Good LGBT Practice in the NHS” -NHS Inclusion Project, Stonewall Scotland
“Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Equality and Human Rights”