Pride and prejudice: LGBT+ people and optometry
Jo Waters asks what optometrists need to consider when seeing LGBT+ patients, and how to make your practice more welcoming.
The proportion of the UK population who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual increased from 1.5% to 2% between 2012 and 2017: around 1.1 million people (Office for National Statistics, 2019). In addition, it is estimated that up to 500,000 people identify as transgender (Government Equalities Office, 2018). The LGBT+ community is growing fast. The term LGBT+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, plus a number of gender- and sexuality-based identities: for example queer, pansexual and intersex (see Glossary of some LGBT+ terms, below).
Although there is now wide acceptance of the LGBT+ community in the UK, and the Equality Act 2010 protects most people from discrimination, homophobia and barriers to healthcare access remain disappointingly common (Stonewall, 2018).
Not already a member of the College?
Start enjoying the benefits of College membership today. Take a look at what the College can offer you and view our membership categories and rates.
Related further reading
The College, The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) back the Government’s commitment to put patients in the driving seat and give them more control and choice over their care.
One thing is certain: I wasn’t expecting the events of the last 10 weeks to take place when I wrote my last Optometry in Practice editorial in February this year.
We are asking the public to make eye health a priority in 2025 and provide top tips for good eye health.