The month of February marks LGBT+ History month which the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to support. It is a month-long, annual celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Non-Binary history, including the history of LGBT+ rights and related civil rights movements.
Since 2011 LGBT+ History Month has been linked to a different subject each year — in 2021 the theme is ‘Body, Mind, Spirit’, which aims to give more opportunity for the LGBT+ community to explore the complexities of who they are and what they can aspire to be. The theme of body, mind and spirit seems especially relevant this year as we reflect on the impact the pandemic has had on us all. Research shows the LGBT+ community have a greater reluctance to access healthcare due to fears of encountering LGBTphobia; they have experienced restricted access to service provision in respect of transitioning but also for professional support for mental health; many have found themselves isolating in a house with LGBT-phobic parents and/or family members. LGBT+ communities are more likely to have a ‘chosen family’, viewing their close friends as their family, often due to family rejection, yet people are less likely to live with their chosen family compared to their biological family so may well have been separated from those closest to them at this time.
Throughout the month we will be visibly demonstrating our support through changing the background of our Intranet to show the Progress flag and we will also be flying the Pride flags at both hospital sites throughout the month of February. On social media we will be sharing LGBT+ related news items and ways in which we can support the mental health of LGBT+ colleagues.
If you would like to find out more, please visit - LGBT+ History Month (lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk)
Dates for your diary:
1st February – 26th:
NHS England and NHS Improvement North West are hosting a series of bitesize webinars to celebrate and share best practice from across the region throughout February.
The webinars will take place from 1 – 26 February 2021, are open for all to attend and will take place over Microsoft Teams Live. Find out the various dates, topics, and speakers here.
23rd February:
The national NHS LGBT Networks project is premiering its movie ‘Any Other Business’ nationwide on 23rd February from 3.00pm - 4:30 pm.
The film was inspired by research into LGBT+ employee networks in the NHS, it tells the story of Natasha, a lesbian cisgender media officer at Greenwell Trust and the LGBT+ employee network Voice.
The film will be followed by a live Q&A Panel. For registration details click here: Any Other Business - film launch event (Accessed free of charge).
Help & Support:
Lancashire LGBT (lancslgbt.org.uk)
Lancashire LGBT helpline number - 07788 295521
Stonewall | Acceptance without exception
Equality | Sparkle - The National Transgender Charity | Manchester
Throughout February:
UCLAN have a range of activities taking place throughout February, including webinars, training, screenings and networking opportunities. More information can be found here: Events | LGBT+ History Month 2021 | Student Support | University of Central Lancashire (uclan.ac.uk)
