Despite advances in rights for gay men and lesbians in British society, a homosexual orientation is still the object of stigma and discrimination. A Special Interest Group in Gay and Lesbian Mental Health has been established to increase the understanding of issues and needs when treating gay men and lesbians with mental illness. The group also aims to provide a forum for open discussion of gay and lesbian issues within the College and contribute to education. The group will focus on (a) mental health problems in gay and lesbian people; (b) advocacy for appropriate service provision for gays and lesbians with mental health problems; (c) improving undergraduate and postgraduate education on sexual orientation; (d) enhancing knowledge about how young gays and lesbians understand their sexuality; (e) the role of advocacy for gay and lesbian psychiatrists; and (f) medicolegal issues with particular reference to gays and lesbians with mental health problems.

The first working meeting of this special interest group — ‘Whose relative is it anyway? Legal implications of gay and lesbian partnerships for patients and health professionals’ — took place in September 2001. Membership is open to all College members and Fellows, irrespective of sexual orientation. The group also welcomes up to 30% of its membership from outside the College (including Inceptors of the College). Membership may be a sensitive matter for some psychiatrists. However, prospective members can be reassured that their details will be kept confidential. For further information please contact Professor Michael King, Professor of Primary Care Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF (tel: 020 7830 2397; fax: 020 7830 2808; e-mail: [email protected] ) or Dr Anie Bartlett, Senior Lecturer, Section of Forensic Psychiatry, Jenner Wing, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE (e-mail: [email protected] ).