Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists

The Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists (GLADD) is a UK based membership organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender doctors, dentists, medical and dental students.

GLADD was founded in 1995 and emerged from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.

GLADD members have played a key role in the emergency of LGBT activism in the UK and members have been involved in establishing other major UK LGBT organisations such as Terrence Higgins Trust  and the UK LGBT Health Summit.

Aims and Objectives

 * To provide professional and social support for gay and lesbian doctors, dentists and medical and dental students
 * To collect and disseminate information on gay and lesbian issues relevant to the practice of medicine and dentistry
 * To combat discrimination against lesbians and gays particularly if expressed by doctors and dentists or toward doctors and dentists

Membership criteria
GLADD membership is open to any UK based lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans doctors, dentists, medical or dental students.

There is also a special membership category for people who are not members of the above groups who support the aims of GLADD, whether they be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or not.

GLADD’s Contribution
Here is a timeline of some of GLADD’s political activities:

1998 — BMJ Career Briefing discusses LGBT healthcare professionals with contributions from GLADD. BMJ 317 : S3b-7169

1998 — Letter from GLADD Co-Chairs published by BMJ — Discrimination against gay and lesbian doctors goes against GMC's guidance (BMJ 317 : 149 (Published 11 July 1998))

2000 — Challenging workplace bullying and homophobia in the NHS Workshop organised by GLADD

2001 — Wellbeing of gay, lesbian, and bisexual doctors article published by GLADD members in BMJ. BMJ 322 : 422

2001 — British Medical Journal published a paper on the well-being of lesbian, gay and bisexual physicians (17 February 2001) featuring a commentary on the UK perspective written by GLADD.

2002 — Dignity at work for lesbian and gay doctors and dentists, GLADD publication guidance on how to avoid discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual doctors, dentists and students. Dignity at work was adopted by the British Medical Association and the General Medical Association.

2004 — Interaction strategies of lesbian, gay, and bisexual healthcare practitioners in the clinical examination of patients: qualitative study. BMJ article by GLADD members reflects on experience of LGBT healthcare professionals, including contributions from GLADD members. BMJ 328 : 1227

2004 — Professor David Harvey became the first Honorary Member of GLADD.

2005 — GLADD is lead organisation in founding of the NHS healthcare professional float in London Pride.

2005 — GLADD is a lead organisation in the founding of the Department of Health Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Advisory Group, the co-chair Dr Justin Varney chairs the Better Employment work-stream.

2006 — GLADD is a contributing partner to the founding of the UK LGBT Health Summit.