Community is a powerful thing. Whether bound by geography, shared values, lived experience, or common struggles, communities offer us belonging and strength. They create spaces where we can support one another, raise our voices, and push for the changes we want to see in the world. For LGBTQ+ people, community has always been a lifeline.

It offers celebration and joy, but also safety, solidarity, and resistance in the face of discrimination. As healthcare professionals, we see first-hand how queer-phobia – whether it’s homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia – affects our patients, our colleagues, and ourselves. This is why Proud@BMA matters so deeply.

Proud@BMA is the newly created network of BMA elected members working to represent LGBTQ+ voices and experiences within the association and across the medical profession. Our purpose is to empower LGBTQ+ leadership, ensure BMA policy is progressive and inclusive, and work with others to make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ doctors, medical students and patients.

BMA LGBTQ+ students and doctors have historically organised and come together within the association, from the annual dinner at the ARM (annual representative meeting) to informal presence at Pride events. However, now more than ever, there is a need and desire to ensure that our voices are heard. Thank you to the chief officers and all those at the BMA who have supported us – we are proud to see this network finally starting work for our members.

By integrating LGBTQ+ representation into the fabric of the BMA’s work, Proud@BMA will ensure that the unique challenges faced by queer students and doctors are being considered. Through supporting members with writing motions, knowledge sharing, events, and community building, we will make space for our voices and ensure our experiences shape the BMA’s work.

At the heart of Proud@BMA is the recognition that while LGBTQ+ people are diverse in identity, background, and perspective, we are also connected positively through shared culture and community, and negatively through shared experiences of marginalisation. Whether it’s discriminatory workplace policies, attacks on our rights by politicians and anti-LGBTQ+ activists, unequal access to healthcare, or everyday microaggressions, queerphobia persists. And when we encounter these barriers, the most effective way to push back is together.

Some may ask why a dedicated LGBTQ+ network is still needed in an age where equality laws exist, and rainbow lanyards are routine. It’s because legal equality doesn’t always translate to lived equality, especially with recent worldwide setbacks in legislation. In the NHS and wider society, LGBTQ+ people still report discrimination and harassment, lack of representation, and poor mental health outcomes.

Trans and non-binary individuals in particular face significant barriers, including hostile media coverage, long waits for gender-affirming care, and exclusion from policy discussions. This is well evidenced by our recent sexual orientation and gender identity survey of our members. We also know that queer people who are also part of other minority groups feel this even more keenly.

For LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals, coming out at work is still a deeply personal and sometimes risky decision. The fear of being misunderstood, tokenised, or treated differently is real. We know that people thrive when they can be their whole selves at work. That’s what Proud@BMA is here to support.

Right now, Proud@BMA is made up of elected representatives who are part of various BMA committees at all levels. We are working to embed LGBTQ+ perspectives into discussions across the association, from pay and conditions to wellbeing and clinical guidance. Our goals include increasing LGBTQ+ visibility, advising on policy, and building community among queer BMA members.

But visibility isn’t enough, as our power comes from participation. That’s why we’re calling on all LGBTQ+ elected BMA members to join us, whether you’ve just been elected to your first committee or have been involved for years. Together, we can ensure that LGBTQ+ perspectives are considered in every part of the BMA’s work. Join us

If you’re an LGBTQ+ member but not on any committees, there are still ways to connect. We hope to see more public-facing events, including Pride marches and campaigns, where members like you can join us in solidarity alongside our allies. We will also continue to hold our annual LGBTQ+ reception and dinner for all at the ARM.

We are also exploring new ways for non-elected members to feed into our work, so keep an eye on the Proud@BMA webpage. With time, we hope for Proud@BMA to expand and include anyone from the BMA grassroots.

Community doesn’t just happen; it is built. It needs people willing to connect, to speak, and to act. Whether you’re an LGBTQ+ doctor, ally, medical student, or union rep, you are part of this story, and we invite you to be part of this movement.

Let’s keep building a profession where everyone belongs. Let’s keep raising our voices, together.

Tom Dolphin (consultant anaesthetist) and Vassili Crispi (neurosurgery trainee) are co-convenors of the Proud@BMA elected member network