LGBTQ+
At the College we take a proactive approach in creating equal rights for LGBTQ+ communities.
Here at the College we have been proactive in creating equality for all. The College, with the support of staff and members, has taken actions to create a safer and more inclusive environment for our staff and in our organisation as a whole. Some of the key changes included installing gender-neutral toilets at the Prescot Street College building and publishing the College’s position statement Supporting transgender and gender-diverse people in 2018.
Our Rainbow Special Interest Group (SIG) aims to promote and research the mental health of LGBTQ+ people as well as supporting and advocating for LGBTQ+ mental health professionals. The SIG was created in 2001 and the remit of the group has expanded over the years to include issues related to gender identity.
We're not only supporting the LGBTQ+ community, but are also working on creating positive changes in all our practices within the College, and for our members all patients and carers.
Celebrating Pride 2023
At the College, we celebrate Pride Month to commemorate and celebrate LGBTQ+ voices, activism and to show our support of LGBTQ+ rights. Pride month is about teaching tolerance, education in pride history and continuing to move equality forwards, something that we at the College continue to strive to do.
For Pride 2023, we have published two new blog posts and a special podcast episode. We also hosted a special webinar for members.
PrideCast: In conversation with Dr Chris Walsh
In this podcast to celebrate Pride 2023 we speak to Dr Chris Walsh, Chair of the College's Psychiatric Trainees Committee to discuss his journey from Liverpool to Psychiatry, his creative background, and his advice to LGBTQ+ folks looking to choose psychiatry as a career.
Pride 2023: President's blog post
Our former President, Dr Adrian James, has published a special Pride blog post today. In the post, Adrian writes about the work that has happened during his presidency to promote equality.
In particular, he talks about how supporting the LGBTQ+ community has been central to his presidential priority that relates to equality and diversity.
Pride 2023: Members' webinar
There was a special webinar (free for members) on 'Celebrating Rainbow/LGBTQ+ families in psychiatry' to celebrate Pride month.
The webinar - on 8 June - discussed how the path to parenthood for people who identify as LGBTQ+ is not always straightforward. During the webinar, speakers shared details about some of the beautiful rainbow families that exist in our community.
Pride 2023: Blog post
Dr Pavan Joshi, Chair of the College's Rainbow Special Interest Group, has written a special blog post as part of the College's Pride Month celebrations.
Findings of our LGBTQ+ survey
In January 2022, we carried out a ground-breaking survey of College members, focusing on LGBTQ+ topics.
This survey revealed worrying levels of discrimination, with one in two psychiatrists experiencing hostility at work because of their sexuality or gender identity.
Stonewall
The College is proud to have joined Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index to ensure we continue to improve and boost LGBTQ+ inclusion. The Workplace Equality Index is a benchmark for employers to measure their progress towards lesbian, gay, bi and trans+ inclusion in the workplace.
In February 2023, we were delighted to receive the LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer Gold Award from Stonewall. We also improved our ranking to become the 90th top employer.
Blog posts relating to LGBTQ+
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What evolution tells us about LGBTQ+ history
Dr Pavan Joshi, Chair of the College's Rainbow Special Interest Group, has written a special blog post as part of the College's Pride month celebrations.
Dr Pavan Joshi -
Pride 2022: How times have changed
In this special blog post to celebrate Pride, Rainbow SIG Finance officer Dr Josep Vilanova reflects on how attitudes have changed since he was a trainee.
Dr Josep Vilanova -
Pride 2022: Our LGBTQ+ survey, what next?
The chair of the College's Rainbow SIG discusses the LGBTQ+ member survey, what needs to happen next, and why Pride is important.
Dr Pavan Joshi -
Pride 2021: RCPsych and Rainbow SIG takes another step to protest LGBTQ+ discrimination and move towards equality
In a blog post to mark the end of Pride, Dr Pavan Joshi (the new chair of our Rainbow Special Interest Group) reflects on how the College has celebrated the ...
Dr Pavan Joshi -
A Transcultural Approach to meeting the needs of our LGBTQ+ Scots
As Pride month continues, the RCPsych in Scotland’s Policy Officer, Aidan Reid, reflects on the experiences of our LGBTQ+ communities accessing mental health care in Scotland and the recent Scottish ...
Aidan Reid -
Pride 2021 - thoughts from our President
RCPsych President, Dr Adrian James, reflects on Pride 2021 and talks about why celebrating equality and diversity is a key priority for the College.
Dr Adrian James -
LGBTQ History Month: From a Psychiatrist and Service User
In February 2020, we interviewed two members of the LGBTQ community, who both have different experiences of the community, and of course their own unique relationship with mental health services....
RCPsych Digital Team -
Bisexual Mental Health
A blog post for Pride Month about bisexual mental health.
Library and archives team