The Association of LGBTQ+ Doctors & Dentists (GLADD). Professional & social support for LGBTQ+ Drs & Dentists. Reducing healthcare inequality for LGBTQ+ folks.
So-called ‘conversion therapy’ is abhorrent and we continue to push for the entire LGBTQ+ community to be protected from this torturous practice.
There’s no debate to be had. Doctors defending it need to take a long, long look at themselves. End of discussion.
This statement clearly expresses GLADD’s position
We feel that further discussion of trans people’s right to dignified healthcare accommodation only serves to harm the trans community and fuel controversy, division and distract from real healthcare issues /1
We are aware of a number of attacks on twitter aimed at
@DrMikeFarquhar
for showing his lanyard & badges, which show his strong support for all LGBTQ+ patients, including trans folk
We wholeheartedly stand behind him and his work, & proudly wear our
@RainbowNHSBadge
This is absolutely indefensible.
So-called conversion therapy is abuse towards the LGBTQ+ community & the decision not to ban it is an attack
As healthcare professionals, we need to be angry about this & advocating for our LGBTQ+ colleagues and patients.
EXCLUSIVE: The government has ditched its promised ban on conversion therapy.
A briefing document leaked to
@itvnews
states "The PM has agreed we should not move forward with legislation to ban LGBT conversion therapy".
It breaks 4 years of promises.
Here's our joint letter with
@PRiSM_Surgery
, sent to
@bmj_latest
in response to their article on gender dysphoria in young people. We offered the BMJ a chance to reply before we published the letter; they have made it clear to us that they will not be apologising for the article.
There has been an unfortunate recent spate of hate speech and disinformation on social media by some doctors
This is harmful to LGBTQ+ patients and colleagues, and undermines the ethical and moral foundations of medicine
It will not be tolerated (1/4)
@CartlandDavid
This is appalling and you absolutely do not represent our profession. At GLADD, we are proud to stand up against hate towards LGBTQ+ doctors, dentists, and patients. We loudly do not tolerate this hate.
We wanted to address and echo the concerns voiced about a question on MRCS Paper A.
As ever, we are here to vocalise our support LGBTQ+ doctors, dentists, other HCPs, & patients
@PRiSM_Surgery
@RCSnews
@RCSEd
While this statement contains many pragmatic, holistic and primary care-focussed points it also reveals double standard for transgender care & lack of consideration for the potential impact on patients. /1
We are deeply concerned by the new
@rcgp
guidance, which depends on a number of concerning false narratives spread through the media to propose severe interruptions to trans people's access to care through general practice.
We at GLADD are devastated to hear that the
@RainbowNHSBadge
project is ending
It has been pivotal in extending compassion to LGBTQ+ HCPs & patients, & we love to see rainbow badges worn with pride
We commend the fantastic work pioneered by
@DrMikeFarquhar
at
@EvelinaLondon
"This is a very bad sign"
Exclusive: The NHS Rainbow Badge scheme has secretly been shut down by the UK government, VICE News can reveal.
Insiders say NHS England was pushed to stop funding the LGBTQ inclusion scheme, and staff don't know it's been cut.
GLADD is run by volunteer doctors, dentists & students who feel that - as medical professionals - it’s important to be vocal about LGBTQ+ issues & fight for the best interests of LGBTQ+ folk
*ALL* medical organisations should be vocal about social issues that affect our patients
In his response, the
@bmj_latest
Editor-in-Chief said: "For the avoidance of doubt, we do not agree with your criticisms of the articles and we will not be apologising. We do not accept your accusations of undeclared ideological interests."
Trans women are women.
Trans men are men.
Non-binary people are non-binary.
Diversity in our workforce helps to better serve our patients.
We have, and always will, stand for trans rights.
Today is Trans Day of Visibility
We’d like to use today to send love & support to all trans folk, to recognise & accept you, & to wish you trans joy
We also want to acknowledge how difficult it can be to be visible, & stand against all hate directed at trans folk
#TDOV
🏳️⚧️
‘On the 29th May the Secretary of State for Health & Social Care & Minister for Health unilaterally restricted the private prescription & supply of GnRH analogues (‘puberty blockers’) for under 18s for the treatment of gender dysphoria’
Here is GLADD’s statement on this ⬇️
It’s
#TransAwarenessWeek
and, as the society for LGBTQ+ doctors & dentists, we feel it is worth highlighting strongly that currently the healthcare system lets down trans patients, although we are thankful to the doctors & dentists that do support trans individuals 🏳️⚧️
✨GLADD statement✨
We are aware of concern amongst the trans and medical communities about a conference by CANSG taking place at the headquarters of the RCGP. This conference is not affiliated with or approved by the RCGP. /1
We are wishing a happy Disability Pride Month to all our disabled colleagues, members, patients, & friends - particularly those who are also LGBTQ+
Fun fact: in the 2021 census, more than double the % of disabled people identified as LGB+ than non-disabled people
As ever, it’s really horrible to see transphobic views come from senior clinicians
But thank you to all the vocal allies of medtwitter - you are very appreciated💜
And to all trans and NB doctors, dentists, students and patients - we are 100% there for you🏳️⚧️
Happy Pride Month to all
#PrideMonth
But important reminder that pride month is more than celebration
Pride is still a protest
Pride involves standing up for the inequalities, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia still experienced by the LGBTQ+ community
#PrideMonth2023
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Timed with Pride month, the GMC has now released its guide for LGBT patients on what to expect from their doctor. This is the first time the GMC has specifically reached out to our LGBTQ+ patients, supported by GLADD and Stonewall 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
It actively damages trust in the profession. Homophobic and transphobic abuse are not only criminal offences but matters of professional misconduct and have been reported to our regulator - the GMC
@gmcuk
(2/4)
Wonderful news: Welcome to both
@UofGMVLS
Glasgow and
@warwickmed
Warwick who have committed to taking an evidence based approach against so called “conversion therapy” 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️✨
Let us once again restate that GLADD is absolutely trans inclusive 🏳️⚧️
We fully support clinicians standing up for trans folk and against so-called conversion therapy
It is indefensible for doctors defend harmful practices against trans folk
Very pleased to have worked in conjunction with Stonewall, and the GMC, in order to produce a new guide for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) patients, setting out what they should expect from their doctor 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Further, we noted that the use of phrases such as “rush to affirm” and “surge in treatment of minors” within the article is needlessly charged and sets an adversarial tone which would be out of place in a respectable medical journal.
Throughout
#PronounsDay
we will be introducing our committee members and what pronouns mean to them, starting with...
@medicallum
(right)!!
Callum (he/they) said 'using my real pronouns is part of not hiding who I am anymore, and that has made me so much happier'.
#GLADDUK
This is disappointing, as we have highlighted in our response the risk that the
@bmj_latest
article will prejudice the prompt and effective treatment of young people with gender dysphoria. Further, several rapid responses have been critical of the quality and tone of the article.
He continued: "It is important that young people receive care in line with a rigorous assessment of the evidence. That's our only interest. We hope that is something you can agree with us on, and something we can all work towards."
We wish to reassure patients and the public that such views are not representative of the overwhelming majority of doctors. If you have been subject of or affected by this you can reach out (3/4)
The statement contains a number of recommendations which would simply not be acceptable when applied to other clinical areas, such as cancer, diabetes or mental health. Examples include blood monitoring for secondary care & refusal of services on the basis of workload pressures/3
We are truly disappointed to hear about this incident.
Once again, we want to show our full support for the presenters involved who had this bad experience - transphobic views are not welcome in medicine
We are appalled by the treatment of the presenters this afternoon during our CCQI EDI webinar, it represents the opposite to the College values, which we strive to uphold every day. We are currently looking into what happened and how.
This week marks Lesbian Visibility Week!
GLADD sends love and support to all the LGBTQ+ women and non binary members of its community - doctors, dentists, students, & patients!
#LesbianVisibilityWeek
#LVW23
Today is
#IDAHOBIT
, and we are thinking of all the healthcare workers & patients who have experienced prejudice for their identities.
GLADD will always continue to fight against this hatred and aim to make healthcare as safe as possible for LGBTQ+ folks to work & receive care in
New guidelines have been released, which aim to make sure transgender patients' "everyday healthcare is as safe and dignified as it can be” before & after surgery
These guidelines are published in
@Anaes_Journal
and can be found via their social media pages
One of our winners of the GLADD student & FY doctor writing prize has been published in
@bmj_latest
Read
@aphraluchesa
’s The Greying Rainbow: We need inclusive care for older LGBTQ+ people on this link 🔗
We couldn’t be clearer - we’ve passed a motion to campaign for its ban, a definition of so-called ‘conversion therapy’, a motion for the inclusivity of all LGBTQ+ people, and are active members of the Memorandum of Understanding.
#LGBTQinHealthcare
The RCGP LGBTQ+ steering group & GPs w/ extended roles in this area were not consulted & the Cass Review has been accepted at face value without critical appraisal. /2
Wishing a very happy pride month to all LGBTQ+ doctors, dentists, other healthcare workers and patients!
We hope this month is a joyful time for you and that you have pride over your identity!
For those of you coming to GLADD AGM later - see you soon! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Happy Non Binary Awareness Week!
NB is an umbrella term for gender identities that sit outside the traditional gender binary
We fully support & embrace non binary doctors, dentists, students and patients. You are valid & important 🟡⚪️🟣⚫️
Wishing a Happy
#PrideMonth
to all LGBTQ+ dentists, doctors, students, other HCPs & patients out there! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
We are hoping your pride month is full of joy, but we are also working to continually make things better for *ALL* members of the LGBTQ+ community
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤
GLADD Mentoring 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
We are looking to re-establish a mentoring scheme, which we know has been hugely successful in the past 🥰
Please let us know if you’d like to be involved, or to be updated as the scheme becomes a reality. Get in touch through secretary
@gladd
.co.uk😄
#PronounsDay
For
@btaylordavies
(he/him), 'sharing our pronouns might seem a small thing to some - but for many, it’s not. By sharing, we acknowledge and promote a diverse range of identities and support ppl to identify with the pronouns they choose for themselves!'
#GLADDUK
GLADD at Manchester Pride 2024 🌈
Our members had an incredible time marching together at Manchester Pride this year!
Thank you to those that joined us, & to all the amazing organisations that made the day unforgettable.
#ManchesterPride
#LGBTQHealthcare
#GLADD
#Pride2024
Today, our Chair, Dame Carrie MacEwen apologises for the action we took against doctors, in historic cases, where they were cautioned or convicted under now abolished homophobic laws.
Homophobic laws and attitudes, that were in place into the 1980s and beyond, caused personal
As highlighted in our letter and in the
@PRiSM_Surgery
rapid response (see below), the lack of rigor in presenting a balanced review of the evidence was one of several shortcomings of the
@bmj_latest
article.
We've submitted a rapid response re: the
@bmj_latest
article on gender dysphoria in young people, highlighting some of the problems with the piece. We'll also have a formal statement for you soon 👍
#PrideInSurgery
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
This week our committee have been supporting
#HIVTestingWeek
.
Knowing your status is incredibly important. With good treatment the prognosis for HIV is excellent, and life expectancy is now near normal.
We support
@THTorguk
in showing HIV the finger, this week and always.
Delighted to have elected our new GLADD committee:
Chair: Ciara Greer
Secretary: Vassili Crispi
Treasurer: Alice O’Docherty
EDI: Laurence Baker
& all who have run for Advisory Group have been elected✨
Congratulations all 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
On 22nd Feb the GMC released a statement formally apologising to doctors who had been sanctioned & harmed by homophobia perpetuated under historic homophobic laws
Our committee members,
@DrDMcGregor
&
@startle65
worked with the GMC on this project, representing GLADD
Today is
#TransDayOfVisibility
Today we acknowledge and celebrate those able to be out as trans, while also recognising that not everyone has that privilege yet - you are still valid.
(Artwork by Black Lodge Press)
#TDOV
#TDOV2023
We are pleased that the RCGP is listening to concerns that have been raised and are working constructively to review the language and recommendations. /4
Delighted to announce the University of Birmingham Medical School,
@UoBMBChB
, have signed up to taking an evidence based stance against so-called ‘Conversion Therapy’ ✨✨
Hey, medschools, ya listening?
Medical Schools Council: “Medical schools teach evidence based medicine to their students and there is no credible evidence base to support conversion therapy.”
Full statement -
Hey so you’re wondering why your medical school will tell you to follow evidence-based medicine, to do no harm, and to treat your patients with respect BUT isn’t willing to condemn “conversion therapy”? 🤔
Here’s a handy reference for you! 🥳
It’s their ✨QUEERPHOBIA✨!!!
This is very disappointing and unacceptable news
Visibly identifying yourself as LGBTQ+ or an ally should not be considered a political act
Believing LGBTQ+ people should have rights and deserve queer joy should not be controversial
It’s
#TransDayOfVisibility
today
We see you & we support you & we value trans & non binary identities immensely 🏳️⚧️
Particular shoutout to any trans doctors, dentists & other HCPs - you are wonderful and enrich healthcare
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
Want to be a better ally? 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
For International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, we are sharing one of our educational slides for your learning! 😇😇
#IDAHOBIT
Fab to see this
@RCPCHtweets
response to the DFE guidance for schools and colleges on gender-questioning children
We, at GLADD, share much of the same concerns among possible breaches of The Equality Act & the potential distress the guidance may cause
✨Announcement✨
Delighted to welcome
@QMULBartsTheLon
to GLADD UK Medical Schools Charter on So-Called LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy
These 6 principles empower students & staff to recognise the significant harms of these abusive practices and embed good LGBTQ+ health in curricula
We are delighted to have awarded
@DoctorJesseMD
with the David Harvey Award and are hearing him deliver the Peter King Lecture! Pictured here with GLADD Co-chairs Dr Ciara Greer and Dr Kit Tigwell
Any conversations about trans people must involve trans people and be compassion led. CANSG say that this is their intention but the actions of some of their members and supporters do not demonstrate this. /3
Trans people too often feel ignored, undervalued and dehumanised by healthcare. We want you to know that there are people within the medical profession who are in your corner and will not stop fighting for a better future. /5
The relationship between the gender diverse community and the medical profession is not good enough and GLADD is concerned that incidents like this will only damage trust further. /4
🏳️⚧️STUDENT & FY COMPETITION🏳️🌈
GLADD is delighted to announce our inaugural student prize, with cash prizes and exciting guest judges, including
@FansofJWilson
&
@amateuradam
Check out below for more info on how to enter 🌈 ⬇️
#MedStudentTwitter
On 14th June,Professor Chloe Orkin will be giving her inaugural lecture, talking about the history of HIV during her career, mpox and discussing structural barriers and inequities from both a personal and a systems perspective⬇️
@profchloeorkin
Meeting today with
@gmcuk
@TheBMA
and
@medicalwomenuk
on gender and the medical register.
We highlighted experiences of trans and non-binary doctors on current processes (thanks to
@smthjodr
)
All representatives agreeing on work to be done here, and path forward. Watch this space
Another one:
@Medicine_UoM
Lovely to see Manchester stepping up and taking action against so called LGBTQ+ “conversion therapy” 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen! ✨✨
We are confident that a balanced and considered outcome is possible which supports GPs to provide high quality care to their gender diverse patients. /5
Happy National Coming Out Day
Sending love to those who are out, to those who continue to come out (it’s a continual process), and to those still waiting to come out 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill has been passed by MSPs.
The Bill changes the process to get a gender recognition certificate (GRC)
Find out more
GLADD recognises the need for respectful discussion to improve healthcare for trans and gender diverse people but several of the speakers have a history of making inflammatory or hostile statements regarding trans people, which is at direct odds with GLADD's values. /2
We at GLADD are absolutely appalled at the violence, racism and Islamophobia being expressed by the far right across the UK.
We stand in support of doctors, dentists, students & patients of all races, creeds & nationalities.
Prejudice is not welcome here.