Hull York Medical School signs up to the UK Medical Schools Charter on So-Called LGBTQ+ 'Conversion Therapy'

Hull York Medical School has signed up to the UK Medical Schools Charter against So-Called LGBTQ+ 'Conversion Therapy'. Led by the Association of LGBTQ+ Doctors and Dentists (GLADD) and Lancaster University Medical School, the charter calls for UK medical schools to condemn the use of and support the banning of so-called LGBTQ+ ‘conversion therapy’ in the UK.  

Hull York joins 25 other UK medical schools who have signed the charter so far. Professor Matthew Morgan, Deputy Dean, explains why signing the charter is important for the Medical School. He says: "We believe strongly in equality, diversity and inclusion and, in line with our values, are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for students and colleagues. Signing up to the charter is in line with our vision and our strategy and supports our values." 

The charter outlines the commitments medical schools can make to support LGBTQ+ students, staff, and patients. These include ensuring the medical curriculum includes authentic and joyful representation of LGBTQ+ people, to challenge stigma and stereotyping; raising awareness of 'conversion therapy', its harms and the importance of working with LGBTQ+ patients to respect and affirm their gender and/or sexual identity. 

Professor Morgan goes on to say: "As a medical school we have a responsibility to deliver medical education which is evidence-based, considers the wider factors which impact health and ensures our students can deliver the highest standard of care to all patients regardless of their background, sexual orientation or gender identity. It is important that we increase our knowledge and understanding of the healthcare experiences of LGBTQ+ people - questioning and challenging existing non inclusive medical perspectives and empowering our students, our future doctors, to do the same." 

In addition to signing the UK Medical Schools charter, Hull York Medical School have also responded to the UK Government’s consultation on so-called conversion therapy, strongly outlining its support of the ban.  

Hull York Medical School’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is evidenced through its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee which provides a focus for its work in creating an inclusive community, and its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions which help to identify priorities and develop appropriate actions to address these.  The Medical School was awarded the Athena SWAN Silver Award in 2019 in recognition of its commitment and work in supporting gender equality, and in 2020 the School signed up to the British Medical Association (BMA) racial harassment charter for medical schools – which aims to address the barriers faced by Black, Asian or other ethnic minority groups. 

The UK Medical Schools Charter on So-Called LGBTQ+ ‘Conversion Therapy’