LGBTQ+ Health
Want to provide the right support for staff and patients, but don’t know where to start? This LGBTQ+ topic guide is updated regularly with reports, briefs and policies so you can deliver the best care.
Here at Leeds Libraries for health we aim to put LGBTQ+ healthcare at the forefront of our research. If there is something else that you would like to see added here or want research directly emailed to your inbox, please contact us.
Content on this page is based on the Pride bulletin produced by United Lincs NHS library service. Contact lthstafflibraries@nhs.net to receive the bulletin direct to your inbox.
News
A 'silent crisis': 'Chemsex' related drugs claiming LGBT+ lives, yet few are taking notice
ITV
Healthcare, law enforcement and nonprofit professionals are sounding the alarm at a lack
of wider action around 'chemsex' - the use of drugs to enhance sex - and its related drugs.
The "extreme" harms of two particular substances are taking the lives of men across parts
of the LGBT+ community - a "crisis" very few seem to be counting.
'I needed years of therapy over the battle to change my sexuality'
BBC News
Ben Gibbons, now 38, says he needed years of therapy after an elder at his church forced
him to make himself sick every time he had "impure thoughts", in an attempt to change his
sexuality.
New research reveals alarming scale of conversion practices in Great Britain
Stonewall
New research commissioned by Stonewall has uncovered the shocking scale of
conversion practices in Great Britain. In total, nearly a third (31 per cent) of LGBTQ+
people in the Great Britain–wide survey report that they’d experienced one or more of the
attempts to change/alter their gender identity or sexual orientation
Published research
(If you are having problems accessing the following articles, please get in contact with the library team lthstafflibraries@nhs.net)
Ensuring culturally competent nursing care for LGBT+ people
Nursing Standard
People who are LGBT+ can encounter various challenges when seeking healthcare. This might manifest as explicit homophobia or transphobia, inappropriate questioning, or a lack of consideration for LGBT+ identities. Healthcare organisations may have policies that lack inclusivity. This article examines the barriers that may be encountered by LGBT+ individuals in healthcare services and offers recommendations for how nurses can deliver culturally sensitive healthcare to the LGBT+ community
Ethical considerations for the nursing care of Transgender patients in the Intensive Care Unit
Nursing in Critical Care
There is more discussion than ever surrounding the health and care needs of Transgender communities. However, there is limited research on the care of Transgender patients in the Intensive Care Unit which can contribute to knowledge gaps, inconsistencies and uncertainties surrounding health care practices.
Mind the gap: decreasing disparities in care for transgender patients
Education for Primary Care
The healthcare needs of transgender patients are unique and not accounted for within dominant narratives of medical care. This article explores care challenges faced by two transgender individuals navigating healthcare systems and medical school curriculum.
The Relationship Between Parental and Caregiver Support and Suicide Among
Journal of Adolescent Health
This study examines the relationship between parental/caregiver support and suicide risk among LGBTQ+ youth, with a focus on transgender, nonbinary, or gender questioning youth of colour. The study underscores the protective role of parental/caregiver acceptance against suicidal attempts, emphasizing the need for acceptance across diverse family dynamics. These findings call for culturally competent interventions and policies that enhance parental/caregiver support, recognizing intersectional challenges.
Key papers and reports
Asexuality in the UK: Public attitudes towards people who experience little to no sexual attraction
The Policy Institute and King’s College London
Asexuality, which forms a part of the LGBTQIA+ axis recognised and supported by organisations like Stonewall, is a relatively under-considered sexual orientation, in the law, in research, and in society. It is only in recent years that asexual people have begun to see greater recognition and representation. In this study, we conduct a survey of 400 adults in the UK to understand their attitudes towards asexuality and asexual people.
Precarious Lives: Financial and material hardship among older LGBTQ+ people in London
Tonic
It is becoming increasingly evident that many LGBTQ+ people face financial and material problems in later life. Despite this, there has been little research to date as to why these problems are so prevalent. This report looks at four reasons for this hardship: discrimination, social isolation, long-term health conditions and financial stress.
There's No Place Like Home: The Reality of LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness
Akt
Home is more than just four walls and a roof—it's a place of safety, comfort, and belonging. Yet, for too many LGBTQ+ young people in the UK, home is anything but safe. Many face rejection, discrimination, and homelessness simply for being who they are. This new report is the most in-depth study of its kind. It brings to light the true scale of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness and the urgent need for change. The role of GPs in transgender care Royal College of General Practitioners Transgender people, those experiencing gender incongruence and/or questioning their gender identity are generally registered with a local GP practice and seek support for most of their health issues from their GP. In some cases, their GP may be the first person that they confide in about their gender identity or uncertainties about this. General practice plays a vital role in ensuring these patients receive the care they need.
Where does the British public stand on transgender rights in 2024/25?
YouGov
A new YouGov study, the fourth in a series reaching back to 2018, shows an increased scepticism towards transgender rights across the board – and particularly in the two and a half years since our previous wave of this study.
The role of GPs in transgender care
Royal College of General Practitioners
Transgender people, those experiencing gender incongruence and/or questioning their gender identity are generally registered with a local GP practice and seek support for most of their health issues from their GP. In some cases, their GP may be the first person that they confide in about their gender identity or uncertainties about this. General practice plays a vital role in ensuring these patients receive the care they need.
Blogs / Commentary / Editorials / Opinion Pieces
Blogs / Commentary / Editorials / Opinion Pieces
Trans people and the NHS: the heat of the debate needs the light of evidence
The King’s Fund,
The public ‘debate’ on trans people’s rights is toxic, fear mongering, and ever-increasingly hostile. 2024 was a year in which trans health care was under the spotlight. We saw a flurry of announcements regarding and impacting the provision of gender-affirming healthcare for the trans community, particularly for children and young people.
We need the support of our allies to improve LGBTQ+ inclusion
NHS Employers
LGBT+ History Month is a timely moment for allies to understand the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ staff, writes Dr Layla McCay.
What healthcare challenges do the queer community face?
Queer AF Podcast
In a rich community conversation, the panellists discuss the Trans+, disability, mental and sexual health needs and challenges the queer community face
Useful websites
Tips for Allies of Transgender People
The following are tips that can be used as you move toward becoming a better ally to transgender people.
Stonewall UK
Includes many links to information and support for LGBT communities and their allies.
LGBT Foundation - Home
LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.
LGBT Switchboard
A helpline that provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people – and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity.
Queer / LGBTQIA+ Menopause (queermenopause.com)
My mission is to promote inclusive menopause resources for those who need them, and greater education for therapists and healthcare practitioners about the needs of LGBTQIA+ people in menopause.
LGBTQ+ people and cancer treatment
If you are LGBTQ+ and have cancer, you may have questions about if this will affect your cancer treatment. Sexual orientation and gender identity should not affect your access to the right healthcare. Your healthcare team should offer you care, support and information that meets your needs. But we know that sometimes LGBTQ+ people may face extra challenges in getting the right help.
LGBTQ+ Book Club
Intrested in joining our LGBTQ+ book club? Drop us an email and get on the list! Our bi-monthly book club is a chance for you to meet people from your community across Pan Leeds. This 30 minute slot will push you out of your literatre comfort zone while still giving an opportunity for a mental well being break.
Our friendly library team can signpost you to local book shops or your local public library to track down a copy.
Struggling for time but still want to come along? We can email you a PDF of the first chapter so you can still join in without impacting your work load.
Our next online meet up will be in May where we will be reading The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka.
Colombo, 1990. Maali Almeida, war photographer, gambler and closet gay, has woken up dead in what seems like a celestial visa office. His dismembered body is sinking in the serene Beira lake and he has no idea who killed him. At a time where scores are settled by death squads, suicide bombers and hired goons, the list of suspects is depressingly long, as the ghouls and ghosts with grudges who cluster round can attest.
But even in the afterlife, time is running out for Maali. He has seven moons to try and contact the man and woman he loves most and lead them to a hidden cache of photos that will rock Sri Lanka.
Want to share your thoughts? Sign up and come along to one of our online discussions.
Find out more here
Profession and specialty networks and resources
NHS ENGLAND Equalites and health inequalities HUB
Within this hub you will find information about NHS England’s statutory responsibilities around equalities and health inequalities and the national NHS programmes in these areas.
LGBT+ mental health services map
"List of charities and organisations providing mental health and suicide prevention support for people who identify as LGBTQI+."
National Ambulance LGBT Network
"Understanding Trans Service Users: Ambulance Service Perspective "
National LGBT Partnership
"The National LGBT Partnership was established in early 2010, in order reduce health inequalities and challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia within public services. The Partnership combines the expertise of thirty-eight key LGBTQIA+ organisations across England, and works closely with many more."
Breaking down the barriers to LGBTIQ+ healthcare inclusive cancer care.
OUTpatients. The UK's LGBTQI+ cancer chairty
We have created this booklet as an overview of some of our core information and training to help you to begin to improve the LGBTQI+ inclusivity of your cancer services.
Working with transgender people in physiotherapy practice
This guidance supports CSP members in improving the health of communities, including people who are transgender, through high-quality physiotherapy
Further reading & books.
Check out our own LGBT+ book collection consisting of both clinical and wellbeing books.
Podcasts
Podcast series.
Welcome to Gender Reveal, a podcast about nonbinary and transgender folks. Join us as we interview notable trans guests, analyze current events, answer advice questions and get a little bit closer to understanding what the heck gender is.
Local networks and plans
LGBT+ Staff Network - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (leedsth.nhs.uk)
The network aims to provide a point of contact and support for LGBT+ staff and allies in the workplace.
Make your pledge
The NHS Rainbow Badges initiative started at Evelina Children’s Hospital in London and has quickly gained pace throughout the NHS. We are proud to be joining the movement and making a public commitment to support both patients and staff that identify as LGBT+.
Increased awareness of the issues surrounding LGBT+ people when accessing healthcare on the part of NHS staff can make significant differences to LGBT+ peoples’ experiences, and, in turn on their physical and mental health. The badge is a reminder that you can talk to our staff about who you are and how you feel. They will do their best to get support for you if you need it.
NHS confederation
Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network
LGBT+ SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Check out local sport groups in the Leeds area
Library Services
Is there a LGBTQ+ information need we are not meeting?
Let us know and we can provide the results with a literature search.
Request an evidence search - Leeds Libraries
Want to undertake your own LGBT+ health research?
Not sure where to start? We can provide training on how to search and appraise resources on our healthcare databases.
Information Skills Training - Leeds Libraries
Want the lasted LGBT+ health evidence direct to your inbox?
Let us know if you have a speciality or just want the highlights of the latest evidence.
Contact lthstafflibraries@nhs.net for more details.
OpenAthens
An OpenAthens account gives all NHS staff and learners access to a wide range of online resources.