I’m a queer occupational therapist and proud. But it hasn’t always been easy. I grew up with section 28 which Thatcher created. This meant teaching about “non-traditional” relationships was banned. I never had education around LGBTQ+ life or sex education. I also saw no role models in media. It meant I didn’t even know what LGBTQAI+ was. I only knew of gay men and lesbians. I knew I would not be able to come out at school and developed a deep sense of international homophobia as well as the structural homophobia around me.
Looking through an occupational therapy lens, this affected me in several ways:
- Some of my interests were very obviously LGBTQAI+. For example I LOVE the films ‘Hedwig and the angry inch” and “But I’m a cheerleader’. Both are very obviously LGBTQAI+. This meant that at times I wouldn’t share my interests for fear of ‘outing’ myself or receiving abuse or rejection.
- My social life. As I got older I went to LGBTQAI+ club nights and all of my friends were also in the community. This meant I had to think whether, when asked at work what I did at the weekend, what to tell or if it was best not share. Would I upload photos to Facebook and share my life?
- My identity. I had to find my identity later in life and find a way to know that who I am is ok and something to be proud of.
- Housing. When I was in my 20s and house sharing for over a decade, I had to find other LGBTQAI+ people to live with. I didn’t want to hide who I am, what I’m DOING and who I’m dating.
- How sexuality and gender affects others: for a lot of trans people in our community; they face more difficulties with occupations. For example, dressing how they want to. Or if they need personal care, finding a carer who is safe. Trans and non binary people can feel they need to hide their gender from mental health professionals for fear of being labelled as having a personality disorder or that the person actively doesn’t like trans people. And the big one is trans people being allowed to pee! There are groups of people called Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminists actively oppressing trans people.
Being LGBTQAI+ informed should not be a choice for occupational therapists. It should be mandatory. If we do not know someone’s identity it’s impossible to do a holistic assessment and intervention.
@hannahtheot is an occupational therapist working in Deaf mental health services, South West London & St George’s.
She shared her story with us as part of our social media call out for LGBT+ History Month.