13February 2012 was Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) history month, and HPFT made it into the Stonewall top 100 gay friendly employers for the third year running.Can you remember when you first decided to be 'out' at work and why this was?Yes. Shortly before applying for this post I had finished writing a book about Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual (LGB) issues. I realised that, as I had an unusual name, if any service users googled me, my book would come up in the search. I got quite worried about that and so as part of the application process I asked to use a different name at work to the one I use at home. Through these discussions it was necessary for me to come out to explain why. Have you noticed any difference in the way you experience the workplace since you came 'out' at work?I think I'm always aware in new places that - if I haven't come out - it's going to come up at some point. So I've always got in my head this internal monitor of who knows and who doesn't. For example if I know I'm not out to a certain person, and I need to be, I will make sure I do it in a way that they understand and feel comfortable with and are clear that they don't have to say anything about it. What has been most positive about being out as a lesbian at work?It's a difficult question. I think in Being proud in the workplaceJames Holland (Equalities Manager) spoke to a couple of HPFT staff members about what it is like be out as lesbian or gay in HPFT. Clinical Psychologist, Specialist Learning Disability ServicesDr Rachel HoltWorking Together as OneSPRING2012

14terms of being 'out' it makes life so much easier as I can talk about my family freely and talk with others about how the weekends gone. I think the good thing about being a lesbian working in HPFT is that it's the first place I've worked where there has been other 'out' gay people. In my previous role I knew no-one who was gay and it's nice being in an environment where there are other out gay people working here.Has there ever been any negativity from people to you being out at work?I've had really good experiences. The only issue I've had - as many other LGB people do - is sometimes assumptions being made that I'm straight just because I'm not out to them. But this isn't really that negative just more about people needing to be more aware of others around them.Some staff in healthcare feel that they should not be out at work because they work closely with service users and this is very personal information. What would you say to this?I don't know where I stand on this. A few years ago I read an article in Community Care about youth workers and whether they should be out at work. The article suggested that youth workers should not be out at work and this really outraged me. I thought "why shouldn't youth workers be out (should they want to be) because this can help others in the work they do." I am out with young people I work with outside HPFT.I find it really hard as a psychologist though, because a lot of the time my conversations with service users are formalised ones within a particular psychological model. But then they will also make assumptions about me. For example I wear a wedding ring so they may assume I'm straight. So I don't come out to service users but it does mean they make assumptions about me being straight and I don't know what the solution to that is.What advice would you give to staff members who would like to be out at work but are not sure about how people will react?I think, because where I work other people are out, it was obvious when I started that it was going to be ok. For example my first week here there was a big collection for a staff member who was having their civil partnership, so I knew it was going to be fine working here. I think it's really hard if you're in a part of the organisation where there are no visible out gay people. However I do think having more visibility of LGB people in the Trust and work taking place in the Equality Team for all staff helps. Also it helps having clear benefits policies that are equal for same sex couples really help make it a safe place to be out. Is there anything else you would like to say about working as an out lesbian in the NHS?I think I'm really in favour of people coming out at work. I think it really enhances the environment and clarifies the difference between what is fact and what is assumed - and therefore can often stop being gay being seen as a negative thing. So I think the more people that come out at work, the better as it's only right that people should feel comfortable in the place where they spend most of their time.Working Together as OneSPRING2012