Pride Month 2023

Pride is celebrated throughout June, as that was the month when the Stonewall riots took place.

The Stonewall riots were important protests that happened in 1969 in the United States. While the HRA LGBTQ+ staff-led interest group acknowledges and pays tribute to the trans women and drag queens involved in the Compton's Cafeteria Riot some three years before in 1966, like many all over the world, we also see that the Stonewall Riots were a starting point for changes to rights for gay people in America and in many places around the world. They were a turning point for gay and lesbian liberation as a sexual freedom movement, as a political movement, and as a movement of ideas - historical roots, legal issues, and links with other movements.

Pride is a celebration of people coming together in love and friendship, to show how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, and how in some places there's still work to be done. Moreover, while the ‘love is love’ message is central to Pride for many people, we also want our allies to understand that LGBTQ+ people are in danger. We fear for our jobs; we fear for our families; and many fear for their lives. For many of us, coming out is something we do over time. For a lot of us, we do it every time we are in new situations, and for some of us it is just not an option to be out and proud, however much we might want this.

Coming out? Some people can’t even get in.

LGBTQ+ people are justified in our fear of discrimination in accessing services, including health services.

One in seven of us have avoided getting treatment for fear of discrimination [1] On what grounds? Well, 13% of LGBTQ+ people have experienced some form of unequal treatment because of their identity in healthcare settings [2], and one in ten have been outed without their consent by healthcare staff in front of other staff or patients [3].

As long as LGBTQ+ people ‘continue to experience and anticipate discrimination in health and social care’ [4], inequalities in access to healthcare services and related outcomes will persist. Health services research-specific to LGBTQ+ communities is essential if healthcare organisations are to meet their legal and ethical duties to reduce inequalities.

We’re proud that the HRA plays a small part in bringing new insights to the sector, approving studies on LGBTQ+ healthcare experiences from adolescence through to old age. Skilled communication is vital for person-centred care, and studies which aim to improve communication between clinicians and LGBTQ+ people are key to unlocking access to better outcomes, especially when they result in research-informed, patient-centred, practical guidance.

We're also proud of the HRA which openly champions its LGBTQ+ staff and listens to our voices. If you want to hear a bit more, keep your eyes peeled during this Pride Month for other news from LGTBQ+ staff and our allies.

Jonathan Fennelly-Barnwell, member of the HRA LGBTQ+ staff led interest group and HRA Deputy Director of Approvals Service

Deanna Herron, member of the HRA LGBTQ+ staff led interest group and HRA Approvals Specialist

Lou Silver, HRA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager