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
High Court confirms that trans women can use women’s facilities: Here’s what you need to know
Diva, February 2026
Following the legal challenge to the EHRC’s interim guidance, the High Court has ruled that services may lawfully allow trans women to use women’s facilities. The court also clarified that it will likely be discriminatory to force trans people to use facilities based on the sex they were assigned at birth. In short, the law does not require a bathroom ban.
Life expectancy slightly lower for LGB+ people, ONS figures reveal
SceneMag, February 2026
Life expectancy for people in England and Wales varies by sexual orientation, according to new experimental data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Although the differences are relatively small, the figures show that people identifying as LGB+ have a slightly shorter life expectancy at age 20 than those who describe themselves as straight or heterosexual. You can view the ONS data here.
UK Government moves to make LGBTQ+ hate crime an aggravated offence under new law
Attitude, February 2026
The UK Government has tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that would make hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people aggravated offences under the law. The proposed change would amend the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. It would extend aggravated offences, which currently apply to race and religion, to include sexual orientation, transgender identity, disability and sex.
Published research
(If you are having problems accessing the following articles, please get in contact with the library team lthstafflibraries@nhs.net)
A Critical Response to the UK's ‘Sullivan Review’ Into Sex and Gender in Research and Data
Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, February 2026
This intervention argues that the UK Government-commissioned independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender (the ‘Sullivan Review’) implicitly promotes the erasure of trans and gender diverse people from research and data collection protocols and carries worrying implications for the inclusion of trans people within UK institutions and for critical social science research.
eClinicalMedicine, March 2026
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of PrEP uptake among GBMSM who engage in chemsex, based on available global evidence; and evaluate whether engagement in chemsex is associated with increased odds of uptake.
Heightened prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome in U.S. sexual minorities [email ulth.library.lincoln@nhs.net to request full article]
Journal of Psychiatric Research, February 2026
This nationally representative study revealed that sexual minority adults have a significantly higher prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome compared to heterosexuals.
Key papers and reports
A Critical Response to the UK's ‘Sullivan Review’ Into Sex and Gender in Research and Data
Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, February 2026
This intervention argues that the UK Government-commissioned independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender (the ‘Sullivan Review’) implicitly promotes the erasure of trans and gender diverse people from research and data collection protocols and carries worrying implications for the inclusion of trans people within UK institutions and for critical social science research.
eClinicalMedicine, March 2026
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of PrEP uptake among GBMSM who engage in chemsex, based on available global evidence; and evaluate whether engagement in chemsex is associated with increased odds of uptake.
Heightened prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome in U.S. sexual minorities
Journal of Psychiatric Research, February 2026
This nationally representative study revealed that sexual minority adults have a significantly higher prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome compared to heterosexuals.
Blogs / Commentary / Editorials / Opinion Pieces
A brief history of how the UK’s broken Trans+ healthcare system only serves its cisgender doctors
Queer AF, March 2026
It’s well-documented that trying to transition on the NHS is a multifaceted nightmare. Right now, the estimated waits are up to 224 years for some patients. To understand the problems people face in the UK’s Trans+ healthcare system, we need to understand how and why it was established, who made it that way, and, critically, who it was built for.
Casting a queer lens on the 10 Year Health Plan
The King’s Fund, February 2026
Launched last summer, the government’s 10 Year Health Plan sets out its vision to tackle health inequalities, stating: ‘social justice runs through this plan.’ But what does it mean for LGBTQ+ people? Despite the NHS’s commitment to universal care, LGBTQ+ people face persistent disparities in accessing the care they need, how they’re treated when they do receive it, and in their overall health outcomes.
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.
Our sole purpose is to support LGBT+ women and people globally on the path to motherhood or parenthood. Our mission is to acquire true equity & equality for LGBT+ families to that of our heterosexual counterparts.
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 a wellbeing club where you decide how much to commit.
Our next online meet up will be in May where we will be reading Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle.
A statistics professor tries to survive a series of gruesome and impossibly unlikely disasters linked to a supernaturally lucky Vegas casino, while dealing with her own erasure as a bisexual, in this chilling and quick-witted horror novel.What’s happening in Vegas isn’t staying there...
Four years ago, an unthinkable disaster occurred—the Low-Probability Event. Eight million killed in a single day, each of them in improbable, bizarre ways: strangled by parade balloon ropes, torn apart by exploding manhole covers, attacked by a chimpanzee wielding a typewriter. A day that proved anything is possible, no matter the odds.
Vera, a former statistics and probability professor, lost everything that day, and she still struggles to make sense of the unbelievable catastrophe. To her, God is dead, and nothing matters anymore.When Special Agent Layne shows up on Vera’s doorstep, investigating a suspiciously—and statistically impossibly—lucky casino, he needs her help to prove the casino’s role in the LPE. And offers Vera one last chance to make sense of an unlikely world.
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.