British Hospital Removes Sign Listing LGBT+ As A “Mental Health Disorder”
August 20, 2020A hospital in Essex has issued an apology and removed a sign that listed LGBT+ as being a “mental health disorder”.
Climate justice and queer action campaigner Ellen Gibson spotted the sign, in the reception area of the National Health Service Princess Alexandra Hospital.
It included ‘LGBTG’ [sic] alongside real mental health problems such as ‘depression’ and ‘schizophrenia’. But it also included symptoms of poor mental health like ‘anxiety’ and situations which may affect mental health, such as ‘drugs’ and ‘working in emergency services’.
Gibson tweeted: “Where to even start with this poster, on the wall of an actual hospital @NHSHarlow.
“Being part of the LGBTQ (or LGBTG) community isn’t a mental health disorder and I can’t believe I’m having to say this to an NHS institution.”
It should be noted that the sign looked amateur rather than official and didi not include any hospital branding on it. Moreover, it didn’t include any advice on where to turn if people were worried about their mental health.
After Gibson’s tweet attracted fury on social media, the hospital confirmed it was not an official sign and removed it.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital also apologised “for any offence caused” and tweeted:
“Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please be assured that the view implied by the poster is not that of the trust.”
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