LGBT+ History Month 2023

As we continue our work on equality, we pause for reflection as we enter February which is recognised as LGBT+ history month in the UK.  This was first celebrated 17 years ago in 2005.

At Metanoia we have a prominent LGBT+ history, starting from our founders.  We are proud of the work we have completed in LGBT+ liberation and our impact for acceptance in therapeutic practices.

Last year we were delighted to attend London Pride 2022 and we continue to show our support for our students, staff, members and clients, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

To celebrate LGBT+ history month this year we are pleased to welcome Simon Blake, CEO of Mental Health First Aid England, who will deliver a CPD event for our students/members/staff – click here to sign up via Moodle for students and staff.

Simon Blake’s talk will explore why LGBT+ History Month exists and is so important in creating an equitable society where everybody can live free from prejudice and harm. Simon will explore some of the lived realities that still shape and impact on the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA + communities in modern Britain.

In the past 2 years we have had the fortune to host several impactful speakers and online events on LGBT+ matters within therapy. These include a film screening of Cured in 2021 and Queering Psychotherapy by Dr Vikram Kolmannskog, who discussed Queering psychotherapy training & research at our Research Academy 2021.  In the past 12 months we have also been thankful to Dr Igi Moon for delivering a number of sessions regarding MoU2.

To help form an active diverse community at Metanoia we have created a number of student collectives, these include our LGBT+ Collective; further details can be found here.

On the success of our student collectives we are also pleased to announce the formation of staff groups, including LGBT+ staff; further details of this staff group can be found here.

We understand as an organisation that we have further work to complete to become a truly inclusive organisation; we hope that by giving our LGBT+ community their own space and voice they can organise together and hold us to the highest standards of account.

The theme for LGBT+ history month this year is ‘Behind the Lens’ #BehindTheLens .  In 2023 LGBT+ people are still under additional undue and unwelcome focus, and at Metanoia we believe it has never been more important to step up and be counted as an ally, welcoming everyone under the LGBT+ umbrella.  We recognise it can sometimes feel bleak for members of LGBT+ community, especially LGBT+ people of colour and trans identities, but together we can look back and celebrate the progress - whilst striving for a better tomorrow.

Claiming our past – Celebrating our present – Creating our future