Posted on: 7 February 2025
February is LGBT+ History Month.
This year’s theme offers an opportunity to celebrate LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to creating social change towards a more inclusive society. More information on this year’s theme and ways to get involved can be found here.
The Keeping Well Service offers support to NHS staff and has dedicated webpage with resources and signposting information for LGBT+ staff. It also has guidance on how to support and empower LGBTQ+ colleagues. Staff in north west London can contact them for free by: Telephone: 0300 123 1705. Email: keepingwell.nwl@nhs.net or complete a self-referral form
CNWL's Talking Therapies Service offer support to everyone in the community with difficulties such as anxiety and depression. All our therapists are trained to work in an inclusive and sensitive way with people from all parts of the LGBTQ+ community, and if you ever feel we are not meeting this expectation, please discuss this with the staff member, or ask to speak with their manager. You can self refer to them and find out more here
Previous research suggests that mental health difficulties are more common in people who identify with the LGBTQ+ community. This can be due to increased discrimination, isolation and restriction in self-expression.
CNWL’s LGBT+ Staff Network, Pride@CNWL, also has a packed programme of events, Q&As, discussions, socials where we’ll shine a light on LGBT+ staff experiences at CNWL and beyond.
Save the dates and event links on the staff Trustnet page - All CNWL staff are welcome as an ally or network member.
During the month we're also marking Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week.
Aromantics make up approximately 1% of the population.
Aromantic is a romantic orientation. Much like someone’s sexual orientation, it describes the genders that someone is attracted to. It is part of the Split-Attraction-Model (SAM), that view all of the ways people can feel about someone such as; sexual, romantic, platonic, familial; as separate and distinct, rather than one unanimous feeling. While the SAM is most often used by Aromantic and Asexual people, anyone’s orientations may fall under this model.
The most commonly named points on the spectrum are: Aromantic (those experiencing little to no romantic attraction), Demi-romantic (someone who’s attraction is less frequent than an Allo-romantic, or Non-Aromantic, level) and Grey-romantic (someone who’s level of romantic attraction is fluid and moves between an Aromantic and Alloromantic level). These are all different from abstinence/celibacy as the latter are the choice to not act on romantic attraction, rather than the lack of it. Aromantics still often seek sexual relationships (unless also somewhere on the Asexual spectrum) and may or may not engage in romantic activity based on their own wants and needs.
For more information on Aromanticism and for events globally throughout Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week:
ASAW (Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week), The main website used by the week’s organisers: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week – A Celebration of Aromantic Spectrum Experiences and Identities
AUREA (Aromantic-spectrum Union for Recognition, Education and Advocacy) A global volunteer group for education about and promoting the rights of Aromantics
If CNWL staff would like to join the network as a member or ally, please email us at: lgbt.cnwl@nhs.net