Celebrating Pride
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.
Pride 2024
Our focus for Pride 2024 is the importance of inclusive leadership and celebrating role models.
We have reflected on individual journeys, progress and hope for the future, and we have reminded people of the College's LGBTQ+ commitments that are aimed at making workplaces more LGBTQ+ friendly. We also held a special Pride webinar for College staff.
In the video below, RCPsych member Helen Killaspy talks about the importance of role models.
As we celebrate Pride and the importance of role models and inclusive leadership, we also shared this reflection from former President Professor Dinesh Bhugra who reflects on the painting of his presidential portrait.
In memory of Michael King
Professor Michael King was a prolific researcher who contributed greatly to our understanding of the inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ people.
He was a role model to many, co-founding the College’s Gay and Lesbian Mental Health (now the Rainbow SIG) in 2001 and a valued member of the SIG following its inception. At the time of his death in September 2021, he remained the foremost expert in LGB mental health in the UK and an international leader in this area.
In his memory, the Rainbow SIG Essay Prize was launched in 2023 with a theme of 'LGBTQ+ Mental Health – The Role of the Psychiatrist in Reducing Stigma'. Trainee Projit Kar was delighted to have the winning essay and is hoping a prospective career in psychiatry will raise awareness and develop strategies to improve social attitudes, resulting in better health outcomes for all.
Pride 2023
For Pride 2023, we have published two new blog posts and a special podcast episode.
PrideCast: In conversation with Dr Chris Walsh
In this podcast to celebrate Pride 2023 we spoke 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, published a special Pride blog post. In the post, Adrian wrote about the work that has happened during his presidency to promote equality.
In particular, he talked about how supporting the LGBTQ+ community has been central to his presidential priority that relates to equality and diversity.
Pride 2023: Blog post
Dr Pavan Joshi, Chair of the College's Rainbow Special Interest Group, wrote a special blog post as part of the College's Pride Month celebrations.