Photo Credit: https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/lgbt-history-month-2024/
The month of February is an observance of LGBTQ+ History month which looks back at LGBTQ+ figures that have helped pave the way for equality in our society.
Each year this observance typically takes a specific theme and this year’s theme is ‘Medicine – #UnderTheScope’ to highlight LGBTQ+ individuals that have made significant contributions to medical sciences and/or the healthcare system. The Proud Trust website points out key topics of ‘the history of the AIDS crisis, the medical treatment of trans people and LGBT+ people’s contributions to the NHS’ as discussion points for this month. LGBTQ+ History Month is important to consider for all employers as prominent LGBTQ+ figures have had huge impacts on progressing businesses and act as powerful role models for all staff. Furthermore, it is important to use these past figures to uplift and recognise LGBTQ+ employees in the current workplace to demonstrate an awareness of the struggles still faced by the LGBTQ+ working community.
Sophia Jex-Blake (1840-1912)An example of an iconic figure in medicine is Sophia Jex-Blake (1840-1912). Sophia is known as the first ever practising female doctor in Scotland and famously lead the campaign to allow women access to university education. Sophia studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and went on to open two women’s medical schools (prior to this medical schools were only open to men). Sophia’s partner Dr Margaret Todd was also a prominent figure in the scientific field and worked with Sophia to integrate women into the education system by creating safe places for females to enter the academic world. Together they pushed back against the disparity that not only women had suffered for millenniums but the LGBTQ+ community too, together they became trailblazers for members of the LGBTQ+ community and women alike. Sophia is one of many who have helped paved the way for LGBTQ+ members in the healthcare sector and demonstrates how the LGBTQ+ movement is not just imperative for their own community but for other minority groups too (i.e. gender, race). | |
Photo Credit: Royal Free Hospital | |
 Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdT-pMcK1fb/ | George Ward (1993-2022)Another mention that really struck home with MediTalent is the story of George Ward who is a Mental Health Nurse and a Drag Queen (Cherry Valentine). George has worked hard to share their experiences as a member of the queer/ traveller community working in the healthcare sector. George even joined the cast of TV Show ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ and hosted their own documentary but ultimately, they decided to rejoin their role as a Mental Health Nurse. George has demonstrated an immense dedication to their cause, returning to shed light on the troubles that come with working as a queer nurse alongside their more typical duties as a Mental Health Nurse. MediTalent work with various Mental Health Care Hospitals/RMNs and George’s story/struggles may resonate with some of our candidates. As a company we ensure our candidates needs in the workplace are met by the roles we can offer them– whether that be inclusivity awareness or access to wellbeing support to address difficulties in the workplace. |
At MediTalent we are always looking to educate ourselves on inclusivity and diversity, this is applied to both our own staff/office and carried through to every candidate that we encounter. We operate with no discrimination and our principles remain open to the continuous learning that campaigns such as LGBTQ+ History Month provide. Nurses and Allied Health Practitioners have difficult careers from the outset, so it is vital to ensure that LGBTQ+ members of the healthcare sector do not face further adversity (amongst other marginalised/minority groups). We encourage anyone reading this to reach out and share stories with us whether they are educational, positive, negative, personal or anything in between, we want to hear from you and maybe we will learn something we didn’t know before – our Instagram DMs are always open to all.
Author: Hanna Ruhee