LGBTQ+ history is closely tied to the history of healthcare; in the past the BMA has highlighted the importance of that history for doctors today. In February 2026 to mark LGBT+ History Month, we reflected on the hard-won progress in rights and recognition, while also stressing that many LGBTQ+ people continue to face barriers in healthcare that affect trust, access and long-term outcomes. NHS England has highlighted the need to better understand barriers to access, poorer experiences of care and the impact these have on health outcomes for LGBT+ people, while The King’s Fund has explored what can be learnt from the past 75 years of LGBTQ+ healthcare and why historical context remains so important. Together, these perspectives reinforce the value of inclusive, informed care as part of good clinical practice, as well as the need for continued learning across the profession.

For doctors, this is not simply a matter of historical interest. The BMA’s guidance on inclusive care for trans and non-binary patients underlines that many patients have had negative experiences of healthcare and that all doctors are likely to care for people from these communities at some stage in their careers. Our policy position on the rights of trans and non-binary people in healthcare settings likewise emphasises equitable access to care, respect for identity and pronouns, and the importance of patient-centred, evidence-based practice. Research on the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people within UK health policy has also pointed to the gap that can remain between formal recognition and meaningful inclusion in practice. Taken together, this work shows why doctors benefit from trusted resources that build knowledge, support reflection, and help translate principles into practice.

Access the Curated Collection LGBTQ+ Healthcare – celebrating Pride month

Why explore this Curated Collection?

To support doctors in developing their understanding of this area, we have collated a selection of e-books and articles focused on LGBTQ+ healthcare.

The collection sits alongside the BMA’s published work covering a broad range of topics relating to LGBTQ+ and transgender health and wellbeing. Including clinical guides, research studies, counselling texts and reference works that explore areas such as gender identity, sexual orientation, mental health, affirmative and inclusive healthcare, reproductive health, youth care, later-life sexuality, and family or community support. The material also addresses wider social, cultural and policy issues, including health inequalities, access to services, data collection, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in different healthcare and social contexts.

This collection has been designed with professional practice in mind. Doctors may use it to broaden background knowledge, support self-directed learning, inform teaching and discussion, or reflect on how historical and structural inequalities continue to shape healthcare today. Because the collection is grounded in credible, evidence-based material, it also offers a dependable route into a subject that is sometimes discussed in broad terms but benefits from careful, critical engagement with the literature. Whether you are looking for a starting point or hoping to extend existing knowledge, these e-books and articles provide accessible ways to explore the topic in more depth.

We hope this Curated Collection will encourage curiosity, reflection and continued learning, while also supporting more inclusive and informed practice. Explore the collection to discover e-books and articles that bring together history, evidence and clinical relevance in one place.

Access the Curated Collection LGBTQ+ Healthcare – celebrating Pride month