The CSP’s LGBTQIA+ network supports and empowers members with regards to LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the physiotherapy profession.
ON THIS PAGE:

Physio student Niko Brenner talks about why members should join the LGBTQIA+ network.
Reasons to join the network
- Do you need assistance with a workplace issue relating to your sexuality and/or gender?
- Do you want to feel more connected to colleagues in the LGBTQIA+ community?
- Do you want to keep up to date with topics relevant to the LGBTQIA+ community?
- Do you want to be a champion for the LGBTQIA+ community?
By joining the network and getting involved, you can feel supported, connected, well informed and proud!
Get involved
There are several ways you can get involved with the network, both publicly and in our private groups, as well as joining the Network Leadership Team. To join any of the private groups or become part of the Leadership Team, you must first apply to join the network.
LGBTQIA+ network leadership team
Applications to be a part of the network leadership team will open again in 2023 ahead of the next AGM / elections in line with the network constitution.
The network will however be recruiting for a new Chair ahead of this date as Sudhir's term comes to an end beginning of September 2022.
If you are interested in getting involved and helping to shape the CSP LGBTQIA+ Network and physiotherapy profession please get in touch with the network to find out more.
Network roles
Roles are open to all CSP members (including students and associates) who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Role | Name | Term | Responsibility |
---|---|---|---|
Chair | Sudhir Daya | 2 years - (term ends September 2022) | 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 |
Vice-chair | Steph Land | 2 years (review at year one) Elected 16 March 2022 | Support the chair with tasks as capacity and diary allows. Prepare for handover to become chair/succession planning. |
Student member | Sam Hopkins | 2 years (review at year one) Elected 16 March 2022 | Speaks 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. |
General member | Ashwin Upadhya | 2 years (review at year one) Elected 16 March 2022 | Support the chair with tasks as capacity and diary allows. |
Social Media
- Team Twitter: Emma Coleman (@PhysioEJC); Paul Rees (@PaulR335); Laura Weatherley (@lrwthrlyphysio)
- Facebook Fisios: Steph Land (@n8vgrl1)
- WhatsApp Welcome: Sudhir Daya (@sudhir_daya); Darren Brown (@darrenabrown)
Public and private groups for network members
Private | Public | |
---|---|---|
Join the iCSP network for news, discussions and more. | N/A | |
Keep in touch with fellow network members on WhatsApp. Contact Gill Feldman to join. | N/A | |
LGBTQIA+ network members can join the private Facebook group (invite only). | Follow our public Facebook page for network news and updates. | |
N/A | Follow us on Twitter @CSPLQBTQIA for the latest updates from the network. |
Using our network groups and social media safely
We want everyone who joins our groups to have a positive experience. Here are some simple dos and don'ts:
Do:
- Adhere to each individual social media site's terms of service.
- Join in! Share your ideas, ask questions, support others and like and respond to others' posts.
- Treat everyone with respect; if you disagree with a particular point of view, try to offer a measured, factual response instead of criticism.
- Remember that members of our private LGBTQIA+ network groups might not be out to everyone, so please bear that in mind when you're chatting to fellow network members in other spaces.
Don't:
- Share personal information – even in private forums like iCSP – that could lead to a patient, colleague or fellow CSP member being identified either in your own post or in combination with others.
- Engage with obvious trolls on public sites like Twitter – block or mute them instead.
If you're completely new to social media, you can check out the CSP's social media guidance for members.
Events calendar 2022
We are in the midst of planning our events for 2022. Full calendar events to be confirmed.Please check back for updates. If you have any queries, ideas or feedback on network events please contact the LGBTQIA+ Network.
Event Date/Time | Name | Description | Who can attend? | Registration |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday 16 March 2022 18:00 - 18:45 (45 minutes)
| CSP LGBTQIA+ network annual general meeting (AGM) | Come along to become an active member of the LGBTQIA+ network and elect the new network committee to plan and deliver the work of the network and to act as a link between members in the network and the CSP nationally. Virtual event | Open to full CSP, associate, affiliate and student members who self-identify as LGBTQIA+ and are registered with the network. | Registration now closed. |
Wednesday 30 March 2022 18:00 - 19:00 (60 minutes)
| Exploring assumptions of the trans community | In celebration of Trans Day of Visibility (31 March) join the LGBTQIA+ Network for a talk with CN Lester (@cnlester), author of "Trans Like Me". Virtual event | Open to full CSP, associate, affiliate and student members who self-identify as LGBTQIA+, BAME and/or Disabled and are registered with the relevant diversity network. | Registration now closed. |
Monday 9 May 2022 18:00 - 19:30 (90 minutes) | Lives and Literature | An intersectional queer 'book' club. Author and activist, Paul Burston, who runs the Polari salon will facilitate an online evening exploring LGBTQIA+ lives expressed in literature. Virtual event | Open to full CSP, associate, affiliate and student members who self-identify as LGBTQIA+, BAME and/or disabled and are registered with the relevant diversity network and other allied health professional diversity networks - OT, SLT etc. | Registration now closed. |
Saturday 2 July 2022 | Pride London |
As of Monday 20th June 2022 the LGBTQIA+ Network has decided not to march as a CSP Network and will therefore not be attending Pride. Further information regarding this decision can be found on the LGBTQIA+ iCSP Network or by contacting the LGBTQIA+ network Leadership Team directly via lgbtqia@csp.org.uk
| N/A | N/A |
Saturday 17 September | Pride Run 10k | The Pride Run 10k is a not-for-profit run. It is organised every year by a group of volunteers from London Frontrunners, an inclusive running club for lesbians, gay and bisexual men and women, transgender and gay-friendly people.
| External event open to the public | Find out more |
TBC Start of new academic year | Diversity networks' student event | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
Wednesday 21 September 2022 18:00 - 19:00 (60 minutes) | Straight Jacket: Toxic shame in the LGBTQIA+ community | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
Q4 - To be confirmed | Fitting in: Ableism & body dysmorphia within LGBTQIA+ | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
About us
The network was set up in 1995 and sits within the Employment Relations and Union Services (ERUS) directorate at the CSP.
Network members have supported the education and transformation of LGBTQIA+ rights within physiotherapy, workplaces and wider society.
LGBTQIA+ network leadership team

Chair: Sudhir Daya (he/him)
I am a gay cisgender male of South Asian heritage who grew up in apartheid South Africa.
I work in the private sector and my background in musculoskeletal outpatients, sports (dance, circus and musicians) pain, acupuncture and ergonomics led me to form The Life Architect - a human potential consultancy empowering people to design the life they want to live.
I am keen for the network to:
- have a greater presence within the profession
- be more accessible to participate in
- be something that members are proud to be a part of
I have lots of ideas and I am very open to hear yours. Please feel free to get in touch.
Twitter: @sudhir_daya
Past convenors
- 2016–2020 Ian Scrase (@arthurdiscrase)
- 2011–2016 Rachael Machin (@rachael_machin)

Vice-Chair: Steph Land (she/her)
I am an indigiqueer cis gay woman of mixed Alaska Native and White heritage. I grew up and currently live in Edinburgh, Scotland.
I am a Musculoskeletal Specialist Physiotherapist currently working for NHS Lothian. I have a curiosity in all things pain and recently completed my Masters in Clinical Management of Pain at University of Edinburgh. I have previously worked in various roles for NHS Scotland, NHS England and the third sector.
I have been an active member of the CSP BAME and LGBTQIA+ networks for the last 2 years and excited to be in this role as vice chair. I would like to amplify our network further within the new EDI strategy. My 'why' is to ensure that LGBTQIA+ members feel a strong sense of belonging and safety in this profession. I strongly believe there is a lot of work still needing to be done for this to be achieved, not just for our LGBTQIA+ members but for those with other protected characteristics.
Twitter: @n8vgrl1

Student Member: Sam Hopkins (he/him)
I’m a queer cisgender male currently studying for my BSc at King’s College London. Prior to studying physiotherapy, I worked in the theatre industry as a director and theatre-maker, often making work with LGBTQIA+ collectives on queer themes.
My aspirations for the network are to create a sense of community for current LGBTQIA+ students across the UK, and to create a visibility that helps potential future LGBTQIA+ students see themselves within the profession.
Twitter: @samdhop

General Member: Ashwin Upadhya (he/him)
Bio coming soon.
Twitter: @AshYouLikeIt
Useful resources
- Understanding anti-LGBT+ hate crime
- Free CSP equity, diversity and belonging posters for the workplace
- Non-CSP endorsed list of resources for those who identify as LGBTQIA+ or an ally
- Past TUC motions
- CSP EDI statement
- CSP equality and diversity toolkit
- Bite-size guides to discrimination and equality at work
- LGBTQIA+ network constitution
- NHS Employers Diversity and Inclusion
- Equity, diversity and belonging (EDB) glossary