Sexual health stalls, webinars, and a bake and make competition were just some of the events we held during February for LGBT+ History Month.

The programme was led by our LGBT+ Network, with events for all staff to attend as well as some “safe space” sessions.

We kicked off our awareness raising events with a ‘Past, Present and Future of HIV care’ webinar, where our Lead Nurse for HIV, Brian Thornton spoke about the LGBT+ community’s experiences during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

The session received glowing feedback from its attendees, one of whom said, “society is ready for a refresher on LGBT+ rights and Brian and his team are leading the way on this”.

The bake and make competition saw network members bring in a variety of delicious cakes and create artwork relating to LGBT+ themes.

Staff from Outpatients East, our sexual health clinic at Barking Community Hospital, joined the network to host information stalls across our sites, and nearly 300 staff members signed a pledge and received rainbow lanyards or retractable ID holders to show their support for LGBT+ staff and patients.

We held a “safe space” career development session where colleagues discussed historic and current barriers that LGBT+ people face in employment, and learned about the opportunities at our Trust for professional development, including apprenticeships, courses, and roles within the staff networks.

Our final event was a historical education webinar, featuring fantastic speakers from our Trust and colleagues from trusts across Greater London who shared information as well as personal stories. One colleague from the London Ambulance Service shared a heartwarming tale from when he came out at school and a group of students who previously bullied him openly supported him.

The network’s co-chairs Cameron Pacey and Katie Winstanley were also delighted to be part of events with Barts Health, including a speech at St Bartholomew’s Hospital by LGBT+ activist Peter Tatchell. You can read more about the event and watch back a recording of Peter’s talk on the Barts Health website.

Reflecting on the month, Katie Winstanley said: “It has brought together LGBT+ staff and allies, old and new, and provided a space for reflection, celebration and forward planning. Hearing about our community’s historical poor experiences, both at BHRUT at in wider society, has revived our energy for improving LGBT+ staff and patient experiences.

“As a young LGBT+ person, I am so grateful to older LGBT+ folk at BHRUT who have paved the way for me and my LGBT+ siblings to be ourselves at work.

“We have a long way to go to achieve real inclusion as an organisation, particularly in providing for the most marginalised people in the LGBT+ community, but I am confident that we will make progress with the active support of our allies.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of LGBT+ History Month and who continue to be active in inclusion work all year round.”

Cameron added: “LGBT+ History Month is a special time, and it was so incredible to see how many people showed their allyship and support for this celebration and history month."