February is UK LGBT+ History Month!
As we celebrate and honour the depth of LGBT+ history, this article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the significance of this event. We’ve created a collection of insightful articles and educational resources, highlighting the contributions of prominent LGBT+ figures.
LGBT+ History Month was first celebrated in 2005, after the repeal of Section 28 (more info below).
This year’s focus of LGBT+ History Month is Medicine – #UnderTheScope and celebrates LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to the field of Medicine and Healthcare both historically and today.
What was Section 28?
“Section 28 essentially stated that the teaching of anything LGBT was now prohibited in schools. Furthermore, LGBT clubs and groups disbanded across the country and all LGBT literature was removed from shelves in libraries and book shops.
Teachers stopped informing children about LGBT people and same-sex relationships, meaning homophobia against both pupils and staff suddenly started to increase.
Councils stopped funding books, plays, leaflets, films and other materials showing same-sex relationships. LGBT youth support groups up and down the country disbanded.”
Read more here
“The law deprived generations of LGBT students of the opportunity to see people like them in books, plays, leaflets, or films that would be shown at school. Teachers who broke the law and promoted any of this material faced disciplinary action…
The effects were horrendous and anti-LGBT bullying and homophobic slurs were rife.
Amid gay people’s struggles with the Aids epidemic, critics said it was a cruel attempt to suppress a marginalised group.
However, it also inspired one of the most successful civil rights movements in British history — prompting the creation of Stonewall. This is an organisation that fights for the freedom, equity, and potential of LGBTQ+ people everywhere.”
Read more about Section 28 and its impact here
Prominent LGBTQ+ Figures in Medicine
Sophia Jex-Blake (January 1840 – January 1912) was the first practising female doctor in Scotland. After leading the campaign to secure women’s access to university education, Sophia began studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 1869 alongside six other women who were known collectively as the Edinburgh Seven. Sophia then helped found two medical schools for women, during a time when medical schools were only training men.
Cecil Belfield Clarke (April 1894 – November 1970) is famous for his numerous contributions to the field of medicine; Clark’s rule, used to calculate the proper medicine dosage for children aged 2-17, is still considered a vital tool for healthcare professionals today.
George Ward (November 1993 – September 2022) was an NHS mental health nurse and drag queen known by the stage name Cherry Valentine. George played an important part in supporting the NHS mental health services during the Covid-19 lockdowns, and their proud acknowledgement of their Traveller heritage helped shed light on the struggles faced by the queer Traveller community.
Read more here
Pride and Activism in the LGBT+ Medical Community
From the GLADD (Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists) Website:
“GLADD is a signatory of the Memorandum of Understanding on Conversion Therapy, working to end this destructive and unethical practice in the UK…
GLADD and the BMA have joined forces again to explore the experiences of LGBTQ+ doctors and medical students. We have been surveying our members periodically since 1997 and have witnessed the continued improvement in the lives of LGBTQ+ doctors. However, our most recent survey in 2016 laid bare the unacceptable prevalence of prejudice and lack of support that still exists, limiting the potential of the LGBTQ+ workforce, which can only lead to poorer care for our patients. All the background is in an excellent BMA article available here.”
Read more here
Further Resources on Medicine and LGBT+ History
Closet, crisis and conscience: the untold journey of LGBTQ+ doctors and dentists, from GLADD (Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists)
HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ+ community: Education, care and support, from The National Archives
Under the scope – Medicine through an LGBT+ stethoscope – reflections on being out in medicine, by Dr Justin Varney
