BPS seen as strong ally by the LGBTQIA+ communities – but involvement in Pride long overdue

The reception in London was breath-taking. It was the BPS’s first march in a Pride parade ever, but it was clear from the regular waves of roaring onlookers that the society is already seen as a strong ally by the LGBTQIA+ communities. One person jumped the barrier to take photographs with us and one slightly unprepared onlooker could only think to shout ‘SPSS! YES! SPSS!’

This historic moment was made all the more meaningful by the presence of the BPS President, Katherine Carpenter. Also in the line-up was the Chair of the new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Board, Adam Jowett, responsible for writing the most important piece of psychological research (on conversion therapy) for LGBTQIA+ communities in decades. The BPS also lent the time and talents of Neil Baker, Debra Malpass, Gemma Hill, Dawn Morris, Terry and the London BPS office team. This was a full production effort and the BPS have a lot to be proud of.

Our marching BPS members who, quite frankly, made the day, represented a great cross section of students, trainees, researchers, academics, practitioners, and allies. Marchers wore nifty little shirts with logos and carried a banner with the most recent Progress flag either side of Psyche with her lamp. That on its own was an emotional spectacle. Not least because, in the strong winds, the banner proved to be somewhat of a health and safety hazard to the brave but unfortunate pallbearers. 

But as progressive as the BPS’s involvement in the event over the weekend is, it is long overdue. Psychology has a shameful past when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ and minoritised ethnic communities. Historical, dispassionate applications of psychological method have caused enduring social and psychological harm that have not yet resolved.

We have a mess to clean up, and our silence will not wash.

So, this year, we were clear (by means of a microphone and PA system dragged through London) that the BPS is against conversion therapy for all people and that trans people should be protected too. We were clear that there are in fact gay, bi, lesbian, trans, queer, asexual, intersex, non-binary, pansexual and kink-community (and other) psychologists in the society. And the BPS was clear that it knows, that if we cannot be seen, we cannot be heard; and that it will not foster the erasure and invisibility of any of its members.

In the coming year we need to give LGBTQIA+ people more reasons to jump the barrier, and more to shout at us than ‘SPSS’.

If you are interested in being active in the BPS as an LGBTQIA+ member or ally, please consider exploring the Psychology of Sexualities Section and see what we get up to.