Information for LGBTQ+ Patients

Talking about sexuality and gender, and how you feel about it, can be difficult, especially at first.

There are some great resources to find out more about gender and sexuality, most of them online.

Juno Dawson’s This Book Is Gay, written by a young adult author and former PSHE teacher, is a book that aims to ‘smash the myths and prejudices surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity’.

The Proud Trust have a great guide to ‘Coming out’, which gives lots of answers to questions young people often have when they are thinking about coming out, or are wondering if they are lesbian, gay or bi.

Young people working with Gendered Intelligence and the Department of Health have written A Guide for Young Trans People. It has lots of useful information if you feel that your gender identity is different to the one you were assigned when you were born.

More information about gender identity can be found on the NHS information website and GIDS (The Gender Identity Development Service) website. GIDS is a highly specialised clinic that supports young people in relation to gender identity

The Albert Kennedy Trust, provide support for LGBT+ young people who may be living in a violent, abusive or hostile environment, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Lancashire LGBT – www.lancslgbt.org.uk

Work done by Lancashire LGBT includes the following activities:

• Providing a Helpline and Information service. The helpline number is 07788 295521 and is staffed on Mondays Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m, for anyone requiring information or support on any lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans issues.
• Delivering social and support opportunities for LGB&T people
• Supporting VCFS and the public sector to reduce the barriers that LGB and/or T people experience when accessing services
• Influencing decision making to ensure that the voices of LGB and/or T people are amplified and acted on
• Delivering key research projects that underpin the need for policy change
• Raising awareness of the needs of LGB&T people by delivering training
• Hosting a satellite clinic for Leeds Gender Identity Service

Chrysalis – www.lgbtconsortium.org.uk/tran-support-groups

Chrysalis is a volunteer peer led support group at Blackburn, Blackpool, Preston, Accrington, and Darwen. All gender variations are welcome, not just transsexuals.

URPotential – urpotential.co.uk

URPotential deliver a wide range of youth and community projects based on the need of people in local and regional communities.

Renaissance/Horizon LGBT – www.ren-uk.com/lgbt-health-and-wellbeing/

LGB&T Community Development Project based at Renaissance in Blackpool. Offering Social Groups and one to one support to those who identify as LGB and/or T and any variations thereof. Sexual Health clinics for men that have sex with men, free HIV testing and other sexual health support.

Liberty Church – www.libertychurchblackpool.org.uk

Liberty church is an inclusive church that welcomes everyone who celebrates the diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.