A recent report released by the British Medical Association has found that many LGBT+ medics don't feel comfortable disclosing their sexuality or gender identity at work.
The study was created to try and find an insight into the experiences of LGBT+ staff and to find out how inclusive workplaces are for people. According to the report findings, under half (46%) said they were comfortable revealing their sexuality in work. Just over 34% of transgender respondents said they were open about their gender identity, indicating that the majority of LGBT+ medics don't feel comfortable.
The report goes on to highlight the prevalence of homophobia and transphobia in the workplace. 43% of respondents reported that they have directly experienced homophobia or biphobia. Almost half, 49%, of transgender respondents said they had experienced transphobia at least once in the past two years.
The experiences faced by many of the LGBT+ respondents included different types of homophobia and transphobia. They included: derogatory language, social exclusion, overt hostility and even threats of violence. 94% of staff involved said that they had experienced "low-level" microaggressions which included "jokes" and "banter."
In the foreword to the report, Dr. Emma Runswick, the BMA deputy chair of the council said: “We have seen the return and rise of homophobic and transphobic caricatures as predators. There are repeated attempts to limit healthcare access including access to PREP, IVF and gender transition related care. Hate crime and attacks on LGBT cultural events are increasing. All of this comes with support from the far right."
The result from the findings have have seen the British Medical Association call for improved teaching about LGBT+ people and healthcare, with more visible LGBT+ role models in medical workplaces.
Dr Latifa Patel, the Chair of the BMA Representative Body, said: “We recognise that the findings of this survey will be distressing for many to read: primarily for those LGBTQ+ people who have suffered these behaviours directly, but also to the many allies from beyond the LGBTQ+ community who will rightly also be angered, shocked, and saddened by what this research has uncovered.
“The findings of this report can, and must, galvanise action to address gaps in education and training and to overhaul discriminatory systems and practices that allow unacceptable prejudices to continue to blight working lives.”
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