Growing up LGBT+ in the UK today”
This is a @TwitterUK version of the talk I gave @RCPCHtweets Conference this month
#LGBTMoment
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7g8zjWXsAMMLnz.jpg)
I was 10. I was a smart kid. I read the papers, watched the news. This was my world.
And I already knew “gay” meant me
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7g81UkX4AADUG0.jpg)
As late as 2001, @theresa_may was still defending Section 28 as a “comfort”
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7g81wLWwAAWHgk.jpg)
Oh sure there’s a few plot hurdles but Simon’s friends, family, schoolmates - they all accept him and life sorts itself out
(Spoiler: he gets the boy as well)
But ... what’s it like if you *don’t* live in a Hollywood film?
stonewall.org.uk/system/files/t…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7g85G_WwAAdikU.jpg)
The data is eye-opening
45% report being bullied
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7g86wOXkAAIbla.jpg)
It’s not good
stonewall.org.uk/system/files/u…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7g-dqMW0AAZx7X.jpg)
25% of LGBT+ people have heard NHS staff using homophobic, biphobic or transphobic language
15% don’t feel confident to understand or meet the health needs of LGBT+ people
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7g-eZEW0AEG5cu.jpg)
This is a currently practising doctor in the UK, talking about LGBT+ people as “deviations” from mainstream society
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7g-e6dW4Ac1M3q.jpg)
@NHS staff must understand LGBT+ patients and families better
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7g-fh2W0AAHkgH.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7hAl1lWsAESJp3.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7hAnFqW4AITE_h.jpg)
It’s about making these responsibilities, part of our normal practice, clear and emphasising why they are particularly important for LGBT+ children, young people and families
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7hAn5nW4AEYbAP.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7hAoS6W4AA-ymF.jpg)
Kids like I was needed people to listen, people who would understand, who would help and be my voice when I was too scared to find it for myself
LGBT+ young people today *still* need those people, to make #TinyChanges that start to make a difference
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D7hApERWkAAJTUu.jpg)