This February, we're proudly embracing LGBT+ History Month and delving into this year's theme: Medicine – #UnderTheScope.
At Rockett St George, we stand with all of our LGBT+ Customers and Colleagues. Throughout history, the LGBT+ community has made significant contributions to medicine, whether through groundbreaking research, advocacy for inclusive healthcare, or simply by being courageous individuals navigating their health journeys. This month, we're shining a spotlight on these stories, celebrating the resilience, strength, and diversity within our community.
Throughout history, the LGBT+ community has made significant contributions to medicine, whether through groundbreaking research, advocacy for inclusive healthcare, or simply by being courageous individuals navigating their health journeys. This month, we're shining a spotlight on these stories, celebrating the resilience, strength, and diversity within our community...
LGBT+ Healthcare Trailblazers
Michael Dillon
Michael Dillon (1915 – 1962) was the first known trans man to undergo gender confirmation surgery, pioneering transgender healthcare.
After graduating from Oxford in 1938, he faced medical and societal challenges while pursuing testosterone treatment and authoring "Self: A Study in Ethics and Endocrinology," a groundbreaking work on transgender identity. Enduring 13 surgeries between 1945 and 1949, including the world's first phalloplasty for gender transition, Dillon's resilience shone through. Qualifying as a doctor and serving in the Merchant Navy, he sought refuge in India after being outed by tabloids, embracing Buddhism until his death at 47. His legacy as a trailblazer in transgender advocacy endures.
Margarethe Cammermeyer
Margarethe Cammermeyer (1942-present) is a military nurse and LGBTQ+ rights activist. She served in the Vietnam War from 1967-1968, later becoming head of a veteran’s hospital and Chief Nurse of the Washington National Guard. In 1989, during a security interview, she came out as a lesbian and was honorably discharged. Her case led to the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy (DADT). Cammermeyer opposed this policy and fought for its repeal, serving openly until her retirement in 1997. DADT was eventually revoked in 2011, allowing LGBTQ+ soldiers to serve openly.
Christine Burns MBE
Christine Burns MBE, born in February 1954, has dedicated over 3 decades to advocating for the civil rights of transgender individuals, and over 40 years of involvement with the trans community. As an equalities consultant, she played a pivotal role in shaping new employment legislation and contributed to the creation of the Gender Recognition Act. Notably, she authored the Department of Health's inaugural guidance on trans issues, titled "Trans: A Practical Guide for the NHS" in 2007. Her latest publication, "Trans Britain" (Unbound, 2018), curated firsthand accounts spanning over a century, providing a comprehensive historical narrative of the transgender experience.
Bruce Voeller
Bruce Voeller (1934-1994) was an American biologist, HIV/AIDS researcher, and gay rights activist. He spearheaded groundbreaking work in HIV/AIDS research, advocating for condom use and challenging stigmatising terminology like Gay Related Immune Disease (GRID) he fought to change the initial name to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) instead. Voeller's contributions extended to academia, where he authored numerous papers on AIDS and founded the Mariposa Research and Education Foundation, focusing on human sexuality and STD research. His legacy lives on as a champion of LGBTQ rights and a pioneer in HIV/AIDS prevention and research.
Useful Resources
Whether you want to learn more, need support or want to get involved in advocating for LGBT+ Equality, here are some useful resources to get you started:
