UHBeProud

The Trust’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) network informs policy and procedures for staff and patients, organises social events and provides a safe and confidential environment for staff to meet.

Identity representatives

It is important to us that we are inclusive of our identities within this network and to ensure that we hear and explore the experiences of all staff we have. Identity reps ensure that all the work and actions of this networks include the voices of all of our staff. We have identity representatives for lesbian, gay, trans, non-binary and bisexual staff, each shining a light on their area of interest and ensuring we consider that identity in our approach.

More information

To find out more about the group, please get in touch via email.

• UHBeProud@uhb.nhs.uk.

NHS Rainbow badge

We have launched the updated NHS Rainbow Badge (now featuring the Pride Progress flag) for 2023, alongside the UHB LGBT+ Ally Programme. The NHS Rainbow Badge promotes a message of LGBT+ inclusion and shows that UHB aims to be an open, non-judgemental and inclusive place for LGBT+ people.

Any member of UHB staff can sign up for an NHS Rainbow Badge, to signify you are an ally. Members of LGBT+ staff can also request a badge by completing the form (see below).

All we ask is that you read and commit to the below five asks.

1. Familiarise yourself with the language

You could begin with doing something as easy as reading a glossary of terms and teaching yourself the right language to use when talking with LGBT+ people - Stonewall have a very comprehensive one on their website:

• Stonewall: List of LGBTQ+ terms

It’s a tiny but crucial step you can take to educate yourself and make sure you are using the terminology to be respectful to everyone around you, and help you to feel more confident when discussing LGBT+ issues.

2. Educate yourself on the history of LGBT+ activism

While you’re already on Google getting to grips with every letter of the LGBT+ alphabet you can explore the history of the LGBT+ movement. Getting to know the history of LGBT+ activism is an empowering act in becoming an LGBT+ ally. As well as honouring the effort and sacrifices of those that have come before, it’s important to appreciate how far we have come in the struggle for equality to fully understand how far we have left to go.

• Stonewall: LGBT+ History Month resource hub

3. Discover the challenges facing the LGBT+ community today

Once you know the history, you can help to shape the future. Do some research into the specific battles that are being fought now, and find out the obstacles that the LGBT+ community is facing. Discover specific campaigns that resonate with you so you can get active and focus your support to help really make a difference.

4. Get involved in the community and show your support

Let the LGBT+ community know that you stand with them because your presence at events is a significant show of solidarity and support. Joining the conversation and listening to the experiences of the people you meet will undoubtedly broaden your understanding of what is means to be an ally and better your awareness of how to help to achieve equality for all.

5. Stand up for what you believe in

It’s easy to imagine that when you come across discrimination or hateful language you will whir into action, righting wrongs and effortlessly challenging the behaviour and views of people speaking and acting in a hurtful manner. The reality can be very different and truthfully, sometimes standing up against discrimination can be an intimidating experience. The important thing is to let your voice be heard and although it’s not always easy, these are situations where being an ally really counts. It’s important to let those with bigoted views know that they are not in a world where they can marginalise or bully those that need our support - and this is really the essence of what being an ally is all about.

Why wear a badge?

By choosing to wear this badge, you are sending a message that “you can talk to me”. You aren’t expected to have the answers to all issues and concerns but you are a friendly ear, and will know how to signpost to the support available. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) patients face inequalities in their experience of NHS healthcare. A recent LGBT+ Foundation report (Hidden Figures: LGBT Health Inequalities in the UK) showed the following:

• In 2017, 21% LGBT people reported that they had experienced a homophobic, biphobic or transphobic hate crime in the previous 12 months, with this rising to 41% for trans people
• 23% of LGBT people have at one time witnessed anti-LGBT remarks by healthcare staff
• In 2017, 1 in 6 LGBT people reported drinking almost every day in the last year, this compares to 1 in 10 adults in the general population who report drinking alcohol on five or more days per week
• 45% of trans young people (aged 11-19) and 22% of cis LGB young people have tried to take their own life. Among the general population the NHS estimates this figure to be 13% for girls and 5% for boys aged 16-24
• 24% of homeless people aged 16-24 are LGBT and 69% of these people believe parental rejection was a main factor in becoming homeless
• 42.8% of LBT women said that they had experienced sexual violence compared to an estimated 20% of all women in the UK
• 55% of gay, bisexual and trans men were not active enough to maintain good health, compared to 33% of men in the general population
• In 2017, 52% of LGBT people reported experiencing depression in the previous year. This includes 67% of trans people and 70% of non-binary people
• In 2017, 40% of trans people who had accessed or tried to access public healthcare services reported having experienced at least one negative experience because of their gender identity in the previous 12 months
• 93% of LGBT specialists and service users consider that more work needs to be done to improve end of life services for LGBT people

UHB places a huge value on equality for both staff and patients. Increased awareness of the issues surrounding LGBT+ people when accessing healthcare on the part of NHS staff can make significant differences to LGBT+ people’s experience, and, in turn on their physical and mental health. Simple visible symbols, such as the NHS Rainbow Badge, can make a big difference for those unsure of both themselves, and of the reception they will receive if they disclose their sexuality and/or gender identity.

It's not just about wearing a badge, there are simple things we can all do to promote inclusion, including:

• using inclusive language in all discussions
• affirming the identity that a person chooses to use
• assuring confidentiality

You may be the first person someone has ever felt confident enough to open up to about how they feel. For them, it may be one of the most important moments of their life, and how you respond to it is something they will remember.

As a member of UHB staff choosing to wear this badge, you are sending a message that “you can talk to me”. You aren’t expected to have the answers to all issues and concerns but you are a friendly ear and will know how to signpost to the support available. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) patients face inequalities in their experience of NHS healthcare.

Increased awareness of the issues surrounding LGBT+ people when accessing healthcare on the part of NHS staff can make significant differences to LGBT+ people’s experience, and, in turn on their physical and mental health. Simple visible symbols, such as the NHS Rainbow Badge, can make a big difference for those unsure of both themselves, and of the reception they will receive if they disclose their sexuality and/or gender identity.

It's not just about wearing a badge, there are simple things we can all do to promote inclusion. This could include using inclusive language in all discussions, affirming the identity that a person chooses to use and assuring confidentiality.

You may be the first person someone has ever felt confident enough to open up to about how they feel. For them, it may be one of the most important moments of their life, and how you respond to it is something they will remember.

There is always someone to ask for advice and we recommend contacting the LGBT+ network or the Inclusion team if you have any questions.

• UHBeProud@uhb.nhs.uk
• Inclusion@uhb.nhs.uk

If you'd like to request your badge, please complete the form:

• Request an NHS Rainbow Badge