LGBT+ History Month

As we enter February we pause to recognise and promote LGBT+ History.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and other members of the LGBT+ community continue to face abuse, harassment and discrimination worldwide and in UK for their sexuality and gender identity.

We are proud of our organisational values and our queer history and we continue to use LGBT+ History month to show solidarity to all members of the LGBT+ community.

Discrimination and the creation of a hostile environment against the LGBT+ community has historically, and continues to be, packaged as a” debate” or a “safeguarding concern”.  These terms are echoes of the “moral panic” statements in the 1980/90s which supported Section 28. It is worth noting that this was only repealed in February 2003 (Scotland 2000).

We must continue to stand against bigotry and uplift queer voices which can challenge heteronormative behaviour. 

Last year we were proud to host Dr Vikram Kolmannskog,  who discussed Queering psychotherapy training & research at Research Academy 2021.  We are now pleased to make this available for all members here 

Although today in the sector we mostly recognise and celebrate diversity, we must also reflect on how members of marginalised communities have been treated in the recent past.  This year we are extremely pleased to host a screening of CURED, via Zoom, on Thursday, February 17th at 6 pm GMT, followed by a live Zoom panel discussion about the film featuring the film’s co-director, Patrick Sammon. Members can click here for further details

CURED has been broadcast across the globe, including on Sky Documentaries in the UK. Described as “fascinating” (Hollywood Reporter), “riveting” (The Queer Review), and “one of the best documentaries of this or any year” (British Film Institute), the film is the winner of the American Historical Association’s John E. O’Connor Award for best historical documentary of 2021.  CURED takes viewers inside the David-versus-Goliath battle that led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses in 1973.

While CURED highlights a little-known story from the past, its lessons are profoundly relevant today. Ultimately, the documentary celebrates the pathbreaking contributions of LGBTQ pioneers while demonstrating that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, lasting social change is possible.

We have been fortunate in welcoming Dr Igi Moon, Chair of the MoU 2 and Chartered Psychologist and Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Igi has run a number of CPD workshops since September exploring a history of the development of MoU1 and MoU2 and providing participants with an opportunity to reflect upon the relevance of the MoU1 and 2 for their therapeutic practice

Previously we have supported our LGBT+ students and community at events such as London Pride, and we were very disappointed in 2021 when the event was cancelled.  (https://metanoia.ac.uk/prospective-students/equality-and-diversity/equality-and-diversity-events/overview-of-metanoia-institute-at-pride-london).

However, we look forward to attending London Pride again soon  - and we remember that while we celebrate Pride now, its origins were ones of protest in the fight to gain equality. 

We are proud of the steps we are taking, but understand that there is further work to be done.  Our work on equality will continue to grow through our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

As part of this journey and our continued commitment to diversity we have recently launched a number of student collectives to help minority voices within the Metanoia Institute community. Instruction on how to join can be found on Moodle/Student Hub.

We re-affirm our full commitment to our LGBT+ students and colleagues, as well as to the wider community. In these challenging times, we must not waver from our commitment for full equality for all.