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.
Disclaimer: Whilst every attempt is made to ensure the safety and accuracy of information on this site, we disclaim all liability for the content of this site. In addition, we can not be held liable for the content of the web sites we link to. Everything linked here is for informational purposes and is not an endorsement of a particular point of view .If you are in any doubt about what this means, or you identify any serious inaccuracies, please contact us.
News
Queer AF, October 2025
Most Trans+ people in the UK will wait more than a third of their adult life to get their first appointment at an NHS gender clinic, and some will never receive care. For every person who had an initial assessment at a gender clinic in the UK last year, four more people were added to a gender clinic waiting list. At one clinic in Scotland, the data reveals a waiting time that's almost three times longer than the average British life expectancy.
Queer AF, October 2025
It’s now almost impossible for Trans+ people in the UK to access healthcare through NHS gender clinics, according to a rigorous data analysis. But what would a system that works look like, and how could it be implemented?
Teachers say trans pupils 'limiting food and drink' to avoid school toilets
STV News, October 2025
Teachers have said transgender students are “limiting their food and liquid intake” to avoid using school toilets and being “outed”.
The first gay Miss England has been crowned. She shares inspiring advice for young people coming out
LGBTQ Nation, November 2025
“Knowing that I’m able to share my story and represent a part of our community that hasn’t been represented in this way before is really special,” the winner said.
Published research
(If you are having problems accessing the following articles, please get in contact with the library team lthstafflibraries@nhs.net)
Banter, bonding or bullying? Supporting LGBTQ+ colleagues in healthcare [email lthstafflibraries@nhs.net to request article]
Clinics in Integrated Care, October 2025
This article explores the historical and contemporary experiences of LGBTQ+ professionals in healthcare, focusing on discrimination, inclusion initiatives, and the structural and cultural changes needed to create equitable environments.
Evidence-Based Nursing, November 2025
Addressing current disparities in sexual and reproductive health services for transgender and gender-diverse populations provides critical insights for developing more inclusive systems for all service users.
Discover Public Health, November 2025
The prevalence of cigarette smoking among sexual and gender minority (SGM) groups is significantly higher than among heterosexual and cisgender individuals. To help reduce cigarette smoking and improve health outcomes among this population, our research team developed SmokefreeSGM, an SGM-tailored text-based smoking cessation intervention.
Promoting equality in nursing practice: learning from the care of LGBTQ+ people [email lthstafflibraries@nhs.net to request article]
Nursing Standard, October 2025
This article explores how nursing ethics can be informed by the experiences and perspectives of LGBTQ+ people. It discusses research on cancer disparities for LGBTQ+ patients, demonstrating the need for culturally tailored interventions. Research in this area often has a narrow focus on improving care for marginalised groups, rather than considering what dominant healthcare approaches could learn from these groups.
Key papers and reports
TransActual, October 2025
This study examines how the non-statutory EHRC interim update has shaped real-world access to, and experiences within, gendered spaces in the UK. Despite Equality Act 2010 protections for trans people remaining in law, our data demonstrates that current interpretations and practices cause a clear risk to the effectiveness of those protections.
Out at work? A systematic review of LGBTQ+ mental health in the workplace
The Mental Elf, October 2025
Work can be a place of identity and belonging, but it can also be a source of stress that undermines mental health, especially when the workplace culture is unsupportive or hostile. For LGBTQ+ workers, there are additional risk factors, including experiences of exclusion, stigma, and discrimination that continue to shape daily working lives.
Psychedelics and Queerness: Do we have a meaningful voice?
The Mental Elf, September 2025
Queerness and psychedelics have always been intertwined in complex ways. These substances have carried both harm and hope for LGBTQIA+ communities. Bartlett and colleagues set out to explore what the “meaningful, non-pathologising” inclusion of queer voices could look like in psychedelics research.
Blogs / Commentary / Editorials / Opinion Pieces
Addressing the discrimination and stigmatisation that can affect trans people when accessing healthcare [email lthstafflibraries@nhs.net to request]
Nursing Standard, November 2025
Evidence demonstrates that trans patients consistently experience poorer health outcomes, with one of the reasons being a lack of trans-inclusive education for healthcare professionals. This article outlines some of the educational resources that can assist nurses in all fields of practice to improve care for trans patients and service users.
Cass Review does not guide care for trans young people
The Medical Journal of Australia, October 2025
The Cass Review was commissioned by the NHS, following increased referrals to the NHS Gender Identity Development Service. Worldwide, the Review has received criticism from expert professional organisations and in the peer‐reviewed literature for its disregard of international expert consensus, methodological problems, and conceptual errors.
Chemsex: Hidden Pleasures, Hidden Harms
BBC Radio Four
Mobeen Azhar explores the risks some gay men run by mixing their sex lives with drug taking. While some manage their use, others fall into destructive patterns of addiction.
Inclusive care for children and young people with gender dysphoria: educating the workforce [email lthstafflibraries@nhs.net to request]
Nursing Children and Young People, October 2025
Transgender people have reported negative experiences of healthcare service provision, often due to a lack of education among staff. This article highlights the urgent need for preregistration education and post-registration training in transgender health to foster inclusive and respectful care for children and young people with gender dysphoria
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
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.
A website with a mission 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+ Health - NHS Futures Workspace
The LGBTQ+ Health Team Workspace on the NHS Future Platform is a place to collaborate with fellow healthcare professionals, grounded in the belief that everyone deserves equitable, respectful, and inclusive healthcare—regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Many useful resources have already been uploaded on LGBT+ cancer care, LGBTQ+ mental health and care of Elderly LGBTQ+ people.
If you have an NHS.net email click 'log in with NHS.net SSO', alternatively sign up/ log in with NHS England Apps or your work email.
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? Read at your own pace or not all! This is wellbeing club where you decide how much to commit.
Our next online meet up will be in January where we will be reading “Black water Sister ” by Zen Cho
When Jessamyn Teoh starts hearing a voice in her head, she chalks it up to stress. Closeted, broke and jobless, she's moving back to Malaysia with her parents - a country she last saw when she was a toddler.
She soon learns the new voice isn't even hers, it's the ghost of her estranged grandmother. In life, Ah Ma was a spirit medium, avatar of a mysterious deity called the Black Water Sister. Now she's determined to settle a score against a business magnate who has offended the god--and she's decided Jess is going to help her do it, whether Jess wants to or not.
Drawn into a world of gods, ghosts, and family secrets, Jess finds that making deals with capricious spirits is a dangerous business, but dealing with her grandmother is just as complicated. Especially when Ah Ma tries to spy on her personal life, threatens to spill her secrets to her family and uses her body to commit felonies. As Jess fights for retribution for Ah Ma, she'll also need to regain control of her body and destiny - or the Black Water Sister may finish her off for good.
Profession and specialty networks and resources
NHS England Patient Equalites programme
Within this hub you will find information about NHS England’s statutory responsibilities and national NHS programmes related to LGBT+ Health.
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
Information for Healthcare Professionals
The updated resource covers best practice on how to support trans patients and staff across all healthcare settings and has information about the specific interventions available to trans patients. The new update launching today significantly expands the resource, which now features links to hundreds of documents from healthcare and LGBTQ+ organisations, as well as our own expanded guidance for primary and hospital care professionals.
Further reading & books.
Check out our own LGBT+ book collection consisting of both clinical and wellbeing books.
Podcasts
“I never leave the pizza boxes” Ally Actions with Karen Catlin.
Michael Baran. The Culture Advantage. 04 November 2025. (Podcast)
When you think of being an ally, what comes to mind? Are you thinking that being an ally means being respectful to everyone? In this podcast episode, Karen Catlin answers questions that so many people have about allyship. She clarifies how allyship really means taking action and how allyship is essential for building workplaces where everyone thrives.
What Real Inclusion Looks Like at Work When You’re LGBTQ
Podcast series
We’re celebrating Pride Month, and to kick us off, Amy and Brandi get real about the unfiltered, often uncomfortable truth of being LGBTQ+ in the workplace—where invisibility can feel safer than honesty, and “inclusion” doesn’t always include you. Together with Kim, they unpack the messy layers of LGBTQ+ identity at work—from pronoun politics and people-pleasing to being “the only one” in the room. If you’ve ever felt unseen at work—or want to ensure your team doesn’t have to—this one’s for you. Showing up matters more than getting it perfect.
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 intranet
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.
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.
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.