14/09/2022
Doctor Adrian James, the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, has put the Guardian’s Sunday “Observer” newspaper in its place after the ostensibly left of centre publication ran a letter from a gaggle of homophobic and transphobic doctors attacking the College’s membership of Stonewall’s Equality Index. The critics had falsely alleged that Stonewall had a nefarious influence over the Psychiatric profession. “The polarised debate on trans rights might have often prevented balanced discussion but it has not stopped the College from advocating for trans and gender diverse people’s right to mental healthcare” wrote Doctor James. Doctor James also referred to several public documents that showed how policy for the College of Psychiatrists is decided and how Stonewall was not involved in that decision making process. The letter attacking the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which was first published in the August 14th edition of the “Observer” was also remarked upon on in gay political web forums. Several noted that there was still a profound problem with homophobia as well as transphobia amongst parts of the medical profession and argued that LGBTQIA people needed their own active health advocacy organisations that would robustly fight the prejudice that exists.
