Every February, LGBT+ History Month invites us to reflect on the people and stories that have shaped the journey toward equality, visibility, and inclusion. This year’s theme, #UnderTheScope, shines a spotlight on the extraordinary contributions LGBT+ individuals have made to medicine, public health, and patient care.
Across our NHS and wider health and care system, we stand on the shoulders of pioneers – clinicians, researchers, advocates, and carers – whose courage and expertise helped to transform the health landscape we work in today. Their stories also remind us why inclusion matters: representation improves outcomes, strengthens trust, and helps ensure every patient receives safe, equitable care.
Below are just some of the figures whose legacies continue to influence the way we deliver care today.
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Dr Sara Josephine Baker (1873–1945)
A visionary public health doctor, Dr Sara Josephine Baker revolutionised infant welfare and community health by developing preventive health programmes that dramatically reduced infant mortality. Dr Baker was openly gay and lived with her partner Ida Wylie, at a time when visibility carried great personal risk.
Her belief that “the way to keep people from dying… was to keep them from falling ill” has deeply influenced public health practice and resonates strongly with our prevention-first approach in the NHS.
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Cecil Belfield Clarke (1894–1970)
Barbadian-born physician Cecil Belfield Clarke practiced in London for nearly 50 years and made a lasting impact on child health through his formula for calculating paediatric medication dosages. Clarke was also a gay man who lived discreetly with his long-term partner, Pat Walker, during a period when same-sex relationships were criminalised.
His dual legacy of clinical innovation and quiet resilience speaks to the intersecting challenges of race, sexuality, and professional life in early 20th-century Britain.
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Sophia Jex-Blake (1840–1912)
A key figure in UK medical history, Sophia JexBlake was one of the first women to practice medicine in Britain and led the campaign that eventually opened medical education to women. She lived with her partner, Dr Margaret Todd, and helped establish medical schools for women in both Edinburgh and London.
Her work paved the way not only for women in medicine but also for future clinicians from marginalised groups seeking a place within the profession.
Why their stories matter today
Despite significant progress, LGBTQ+ communities still experience health inequalities, from disparities in mental health to barriers in accessing culturally competent care. A 2021 scoping review of UK studies shows clear evidence of ongoing inequities for LGBTQ+ people, and the King’s Fund highlights how experiences of racism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination intersect with LGBTQ+ identity, shaping access to and trust in health services.
As colleagues working within the NHS, these insights reinforce our shared responsibility to create welcoming, safe environments for both patients and staff. Spaces where people feel seen, respected, and able to thrive.
Looking forward: Continuing their legacy in our work
The contributions of LGBTQ+ health pioneers are woven into the very fabric of modern healthcare; research design, paediatric dosing standards, sexual health services, public health infrastructure and medical education all bear their imprint.
This month offers us an opportunity to:
- Reflect on the progress made, and the challenges that remain.
- Recognise the LGBTQ+ colleagues and patients whose stories shape our services today.
- Commit to fostering inclusive practice across our teams, from data collection and language use to supporting staff networks and improving access to equitable care.
Together, we carry forward the work of those who fought – quietly or loudly – for a healthcare system rooted in equality and inclusion.
Kellie Tamkin
Inclusion Champion for LGBTQ+
Alliance for Better Care
