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The General Medical Council (GMC) issued an apology today, stating they are “truly sorry” for their past stance on homophobia and the historic decisions to discipline gay doctors.

Research revealed that the GMC investigated at least 40 doctors for engaging or attempting to engage in consensual sexual activity with other men. Of those 40, eight were erased from the register, which meant they could no longer work as doctors.

Prof Dame Carrie MacEwen, chair of the GMC, released the apology. She stated, “Homophobic laws and attitudes, which persisted into the 1980s and beyond, caused personal and professional harm. We compounded that harm by taking regulatory action against those on the medical register. In some cases, this meant the end of a practitioner’s career. For this, we are truly sorry.”

Although homosexuality partially decriminalised in the 1960s, related criminal offences remained illegal. These laws targeted gay and bisexual men, and charges continued into the 1990s. At the time, the GMC had a legal obligation to investigate these offences, but now, as part of this apology, they recognise that this was wrong.

While many view the apology as a positive step for those affected and the wider LGBTQ+ community, it also highlights the ongoing work needed to combat the prejudices that still exist in healthcare organizations and society as a whole.