Whatever your sexuality, you can receive friendly, confidential and accurate advice and support by visiting your local Lincolnshire Sexual Health clinic.
There are also many LGBT support services you may wish to access. Please click on 'Useful Links' below.
LGBT stands for ‘lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, plus’. We use the term LGBT+ to cover people who are not heterosexual and/or who are not cisgender. The ‘+’ ensures all gender identities and sexual orientations are included. You can read what these terms mean below.
Sexuality
No one really knows what influences our sexuality but every single one of us has a sexual orientation and who we are attracted to is not something we’re in control of or can choose.
Some people are attracted to the same gender as them (and are commonly described as gay or homosexual), some people are attracted to the opposite gender to them (heterosexual), some people are attracted to all genders (pansexual), some people aren't attracted to anyone (asexual)! Sexuality is as diverse as people are.
Here are some terms you may have heard of, and what they mean:
Heterosexual: Women who are only attracted to men, or a man who is only attracted to women is called heterosexual.
Homosexual (gay/lesbian): People who are homosexual are attracted to the same sex (men fancy men and women fancy women). Homosexual men are often called gay and homosexual women are often called lesbians but can also be called gay.
Bisexual or bi: People who are bisexual are attracted to both men and women
Pansexual: Pansexual people are people attracted to people regardless of their gender.
Asexual (or ace): People who are asexual or ace don’t feel sexually attracted to anyone and feel no desire to have sex.
Queer: The word queer is a term covering all non-straight sexualities. It was originally used as an insult, but now some people choose to call themselves queer because they don’t feel like other labels for sexuality fit them properly.
Gender
Trans*: Trans is a latin word that means ‘across’ or ‘on the other side of’. It’s used in this context because of the words transgender and transexual which doctors used to use to talk about situations where people disagree with the gender they’ve been given. Transexual is quite an old fashioned term now, but transgender is still used, to describe people who move from one gender to another.
You’ll find people referring to themselves as transmen – who are men who were expected to be women when they were born, and as transwomen – who are women who were expected to be men.
Cisgender: cisgender refers to someone for whom their gender and biological sex are the same.
You can read more about Gender on the Brook Charity website.
This text has been adapted from the Brook Charity website.
Please click HERE for a comprehensive information on sexual health for gay and bisexual men. This link will direct you to NHS.uk.
Please click HERE for a comprehensive information on sexual health for lesbian and bisexual women. This link will direct you to NHS.uk.
Sexual Health as a Transgender Man (will redirect to the Terrence Higgins Trust website):
Trans or non-binary health screening:
It is important to find out which screening appointments are the right ones for you. The NHS has developed an information leaflet to make health screening accessible and inclusive for all eligible populations. The leaflet explains who they invite for breast screening, bowel cancer screening, cervical screening and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening. It includes important information about all 4 screening processes and how to access additional support and advice.
Sexual health as a transgender woman (will redirect to the Terence Higgins Trust website):
Trans or non-binary health screening:
It is important to find out which screening appointments are the right ones for you. The NHS has developed an information leaflet to make health screening accessible and inclusive for all eligible populations. The leaflet explains who they invite for breast screening, bowel cancer screening, cervical screening and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening. It includes important information about all 4 screening processes and how to access additional support and advice.
- LGBT :: Healthwatch North Lincolnshire - The helpline is run by trained LGBT people and provides a space where you can talk through what is going on, and explore your options. Helpline: 0300 999 5428, you can also call our freephone number 0800 999 5428.Provides Lincolnshire's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans community with a social and support network open to all ages. https://lincolnshire.fsd.org.uk/kb5/lincs/fsd/service.page?id=4BJNxqaiAiU
- BeaYourself is an LGBT support network designed for all members of the LGBT community, allies, families and friends. www.beayourself.co.uk
- It Gets Better - a video project which gives support for LGBT young people https://itgetsbetter.org/
- Stonewall Youth - We're here to let all young lesbian, gay, bi and trans people - as well as those who are questioning - here and abroad, know they're not alone. https://www.youngstonewall.org.uk/
- The Bisexual Index provides support and resources for UK Bisexual Activists. http://www.bisexualindex.org.uk/
- Age, Sex, & You - Promoting better sexual health in older adults http://www.agesexandyou.com/
- a:gender: The support network for staff in government Departments or Agencies who have changed or need to change permanently their perceived gender or who identify as intersex. www.agender.org.uk
- GIRES: Gender Identity Research Education Society (GIRES) is a registered charity that aims to promote education based on research into gender identity and intersex issues and supports the right of individuals to live according to their true gender identity, rather than one imposed upon them at birth. www.gires.org.uk
- UK Intersex Association: An education, advocacy, campaigning and support organisation working on behalf of intersex people specifically for the UK. www.ukia.co.uk
- Mermaids: Family support group for children and teenagers with gender identity issues. www.mermaidsuk.org.uk
- Depend: An organisation offering free, confidential and non-judgmental advice, information and support to all family members, spouses, partners and friends of transsexual people in the UK. www.depend.org.uk
- London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard: HELPLINE 0300 330 0630 (DAILY 10AM - 11PM) Providing free & confidential support & information to lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgendered communities throughout the UK.
- Galop: If you’ve experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse, we’re here for you. We also support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system. The National LGBT+ Domestic abuse helpline number is 0800 999 5428. Open from 10.00 -17.00 Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays
Wednesday and Thursdays 10.00-20.00 http://www.galop.org.uk/
- Army LGBT Forum: This site is for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender soldiers and LGBT people thinking of joining the Army. The views expressed on this site are those of the Forum and not the Army. www.armylgbt.org.uk
