The LGBTQIA+ network supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual CSP members and is a lead contributor to physiotherapy's equality and diversity agenda.
The LGBTQIA+ network is one of three diversity networks, and is open to all CSP members who identify as LGBTQIA+, including students and associates. Membership is on the basis of self-identification and is confidential. Access to details is restricted to those CSP officers who work directly with them.
Our aims
- Amplifying voices – highlighting and showcasing diversity of voices from the network
- Growing the network from wider CSP membership
- Creating a supportive community for all LGBTQIA+ members and promoting allyship across the CSP
What we do
Learn from each other
The network allows us to share ideas, and build our understanding of challenges and opportunities we face in a safe supportive environment. It is a springboard to spread our individual and collective learning among the membership and in our workplaces, physiotherapy and the wider world.
Share and support
We share our problems and successes. A key activity for the networks is peer support: members volunteer to be put in touch with others who are experiencing difficulties in the workplace. And when we progress issues, we find sensitive ways to get the message out.
Organise and influence
Together we identify and plan activity that seeks to address discriminatory behaviours, processes and structures to promote equality and diversity at work and in society. That includes influencing change locally and nationally, in the CSP, the profession, the wider health system and government legislation too, working with partners, wherever necessary and possible. We achieve this, in part, by submitting motions and sending representatives to the CSP Annual Representative Conference (ARC) and to TUC equality conferences.
Committee roles
Current vacancies:
- Student member
- Communications officer
- General advisory member
Roles are open to all CSP members (including students and associates) who identify as LGBTQIA+.
If you're interested in getting engaged or wish to learn more, reach out to us by emailing the LGBTQIA+ network.
For details of how the committee is chosen, and to find a copy of our constitution, visit our page on how the diversity networks operate.
Network chair
Term: two years
Responsibilities:
- Annual vision planning of events with the network’s executive team
- Managing network inbox
- Attend meetings relevant to the network as diary allows
- Liaise with CSP Council, committee and staff where necessary e.g. diversity engagement officer
- Represent the network at various events e.g. PUK, ARC, TUC etc
- Liaise with other diversity network chairs
- Member engagement
- Peer-to-peer support for network
- Increase network profile, visibility and membership
- Voice LGBTQIA+ issues and perspectives
Current chair: Paul Rees (he/him)
Vice-chair
Term: two years
Responsibilities:
- Support the chair with tasks as capacity and diary allows
- Prepare for handover to become chair/succession planning
Current vice-chair: Mike Pearson (he/him)
I am a cis gay man based in Nottingham working in the local acute trust. Over my 20 year career my main speciality has been within healthcare of the older person, alongside which I have been a CSP steward since 2005 and I was the East Midlands regional steward for 13 years. I have been a member of the CSP LGBTQIA+ network since becoming a CSP member. Due to personal circumstances, I have been less active in the network until recently but I previously attended TUC LGBT conference twice as a CSP delegate.
I have always felt a strong need to support those who are misheard, misrepresented or ignored and try to bring about understanding between groups using an empathetic and balanced approach to ensure all perspectives are heard and there is respectful discussion to bring about understanding rather than conflict. For the past 20 months I have been in a project role at my trust as the Improving Workplace Culture project manager, developing and launching trust initiatives for civility, psychological safety, just and restorative culture and a stop bullying, harassment, racism and discrimination campaign. I am now a full-time staff side lead at my trust, using my CSP steward skills and supporting CSP members and influencing for positive change.
I am looking forward to becoming more active again in the LGBTQIA+ network and using my skills to help improve the experience of CSP members within the network but also beyond into the wider CSP membership, through improving understanding and raising awareness and visibility of injustices across all protected characteristics and intersectionality.
Student member
Term: two years
Responsibilities:
- Speak from a student perspective so that the network’s annual actions incorporate the student voice
- Support the chair with tasks as capacity and diary allows
Current student members: Vacant
General advisory member
Term: two years
Responsibilities:
- Support the chair / vice-chair with tasks as capacity and diary allows
Current general advisory member: Vacant
Communications officer (x2)
Term: two years
Responsibilities:
- Increase network profile, visibility and membership
- Support improved understanding of LGBTQIA+ experiences across the profession through network communications across various channels, including but not limited to: WhatsApp, iCSP, Twitter, Frontline
Responsibilities for this role are open to negotiation with the elected candidate and committee.
Current communications officers: Laura Rathbone (and vacant position)
Hi, I'm a bi cisgender woman currently working in the Netherlands as an advanced practice physiotherapist and consultant in persistent and complex pain conditions. I work internationally as an educator, speaker and guest lecturer on pain science, pain care and psychologically-informed physiotherapy.
Together with my colleague I facilitate Pain Geeks, an international reading community for people interested in pain and I also provide individual and group professional supervision and clinical coaching to multi-disciplinary HCPs specialised in pain care. In my role as a queer social justice advocate and activist, I bring intersectionality and queer rights to my teaching, clinic and communities. I also volunteer with the charity Transvisie in the Netherlands to facilitate an english-language support group for non-Dutch speaking trans and non-binary folk, or the parents and loved ones of trans and non-binary folk.
I graduated from my physiotherapy BSc at the University of Central Lancashire (UClan) and completed my MSc in advanced NMSK physio at Kings' College London. I'm currently in the process of planning and preparing my PhD project here in the Netherlands.
Prior to qualifying as a physiotherapist, I studied international journalism at LJMU (NCTJ accredited), with an emphasis on communication science and international affairs. I worked in industry for a short period as a public relations officer and copywriter for international brands.
I'll be bringing my past experience of communication strategy and community building to my role with the LGBTQIA+ network. I'm dedicated to bringing about measurable and impactful cultural and systemic change in our profession to uphold our professional ethics of non-discrimination, equity, inclusion and diverse representation.
Find Laura on X (formerly Twitter)
Website: laurarathbone.com