Members of LGBTQIA + OT share their thoughts on LGBTQIA + visibility in occupational therapy .
A s LGBT History Month comes to an end , we reflect on our professional histories and highlight the need for more LGBTQIA + visibility , awareness and allyship across the profession .
LGBTQIA + is our preferred inclusive term for people of a range of gender and sexual identities . Where words are unfamiliar to readers , we encourage people to undertake their own learning to understand the wider context . We also recognise that our experiences are compounded by intersectionality .
Being cisgender ( identifying with the gender you are assigned at birth ) and heterosexual is considered the norm in our society . This is reflected not only in our upbringing and occupations but also in our training , workplaces and occupational therapy practice , and creates barriers and challenges for many who identify as LGBTQIA +.
Some necessary questions
During our occupational therapy training , we learn to be mindful about self-disclosure to service users . What does it mean to us as practitioners ? When can it help to build therapeutic relationships ? Can it strengthen connections with colleagues ?
As students , should we have to consider the impact that being our authentic selves could potentially have on our education , grades and the way that we are treated ?
20 OTnews February 2022