Administrative/biographical history

GLADD: the Association of LGBTQ+ Doctors and Dentists’ had its roots in the Gay Medics and Dentals Group, a society of the University of London Students Union, established in 1976 by Martin Hamilton-Farrell and others.

The aims of the Gay Medics and Dentals Group was to support gay and lesbian clinical students in the University, and to promote the needs of homosexual patients to medical staff in London. One of their last actions, in December 1977, was to deliver a ‘Guide to counselling agencies for homosexual people in London’ to over 10,000 general practitioners and hospital specialists in London. The Group was disbanded in 1978 after many of its members had graduated.

In 1980, Hamilton-Farrell re-established the group following the refusal of an advertisement by Scottish gay doctors in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). He wrote a letter to the BMJ, ‘Advertisement from group of homosexual doctors' calling for homosexual doctors to be accepted and supported. The letter drew a good response and led to the establishment of the Gay Medical Information Society.

In 1983 the Society changed name to the Gay Medical Association (GMA) at which point they reported membership to be approximately 150 people. Around this time, GMA published its first leaflet ‘AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome’. Possibly the first of its kind in the UK, the leaflet was left in clubs and pubs with the aim of educating gay men and lesbians about the disease. A second leaflet was published in 1984, supported by the newly re-structured Terence Higgins Trust.

Further name changes followed, first in 1988 to 'LGMA, the Lesbian and Gay Medical Association' and from 1994 'GLADD, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists'. The aims were now clarified to including the collecting, collating and disseminating information about homosexuality and medicine, bringing these matters to the attention of the general public and the medical profession.

At time of deposit (2016) the organisation was known as 'GLADD, the Association of LGBT Doctors and Dentists'. The aim of the organisation was now to provide help, support or advice to LGBTQ+ medical professionals as well as allowing members to network with other LGBTQ+ doctors and dentists.

The organisation was known as:

• Gay Medics and Dentals Group (a society of the University of London Students Union), from 1976.
• Gay Medical Information Society, from 1980.
• Gay Medical Association, from 1983.
• LGMA, the Lesbian and Gay Medical Association', from 1988.
• 'GLADD, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists', from c.1994.
• 'GLADD, the Association of LGBT Doctors and Dentists', n.d.

Scope and content

Papers of 'GLADD, The Association of LGBT Doctors and Dentists' consisting of papers created under its former names 'Gay Medic Society', 'Gay Medical Information Society', 'Gay Medical Association', and 'Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists', including:

• Minutes, (1981-1996)
• Newsletters, (1987-1999)
• Correspondence, (1983-1995)
• Leaflets, (1977-1996)
• Information sheets, (1985-1985)
• Articles, (1980-1985)
• Conference papers, (1985-1997)
• Photographs, (1983-1985).

Quantity

2 boxes.