Today Piers Morgan identified as slim, calling himself Trans Slender.
Strictly Come Dancing star Doctor Ranj hit out at Piers Morgan today saying he was getting tired of the “gender related” jokes that the GMB presenter was making.
The doctor, who is out and proud, went on to say that the jokes said by Piers could be harmful to vulnerable people and implored Piers, as a medical professional to stop doing it – a request that didn’t go down too well with the ever outspoken Piers.
The plea for the jokes to stop came after Piers posted a Tweet in which he called himself “trans slender”. The presenter also, during a live broadcast, on Good Morning Britain said that he was identifying as a skinny person.
In his response to Dr Ranj, Piers wrote, “Hi Ranj, I am getting a little tired of humourless ‘woke’ berks like you telling me what gender-related jokes I can & can’t make on TV for entertainment… I implore you: PLEASE don’t do it.”
Hi Ranj, I am getting a little tired of humourless ‘woke’ berks like you telling me what gender-related jokes I can & can’t make on TV for entertainment… I implore you: PLEASE don’t do it. https://t.co/oP6i0V2hAi
Evelina London Children’s Hospital and community services have introduced NHS rainbow badges for its staff to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) patients.
(C) NHS
The scheme at Evelina London, which is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’, is now being rolled out across the Trust, following a successful pilot at the children’s hospital, launched last October.
The move follows a recent Stonewall survey that found that one in seven (14%) of LGBT people have avoided medical treatment for fear of discrimination and almost one in four (23%) have witnessed discriminatory or negative remarks against LGBT people by healthcare staff. It also coincides with LGBT history month this February.
The badge is an NHS logo superimposed on the rainbow pride flag and can be worn on lanyards or uniforms. They promote a message of inclusion and are a sign that the wearer is someone you can talk to about issues of sexuality and gender identity.
When staff sign up to wear the badge they are provided with information about the challenges people who identify as LGBT+ can face accessing healthcare and what they can do to support them.
The hospital has also created a toolkit to support and encourage other NHS organisations to implement the scheme. More than 100 clinical commissioning groups, GP surgeries and hospitals from across the country have already expressed an interest in rolling it out.
The project has been backed by the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who regularly wears the badge, and Strictly Come Dancing star, and former Evelina London paediatrician, Dr Ranj.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said, “Every patient and everyone who works in the NHS should feel welcomed by the NHS, regardless of their gender identity, race or sexual orientation.
“I love wearing my rainbow badge and I wear it with pride. I’m delighted to see Evelina London rolling out this fantastic initiative, to ensure no one feels alone or faces prejudice.”
Dr Ranj said, “Young LGBT+ people face greater and more complex challenges than their peers, including in healthcare. As health professionals we have a duty to ensure their wellbeing is paramount in all areas of their lives, so we need to create an environment where they can feel comfortable, valued and secure, especially when they need help.
“Small gestures like this mean so much to those that really need it the most, and I am beyond proud to be part of something that progresses the culture and values of the Trust. Now let’s do it across the whole NHS!”
The NHS rainbow badge initiative is supported by the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, which provides funding for projects across Guy’s and St Thomas’.
Dr Michael Farquhar, NHS rainbow badge initiative lead and sleep consultant at Evelina London, said, “Despite improving social attitudes in the UK, LGBT+ people can still face significant barriers to accessing healthcare and this can have a detrimental impact on physical and mental health
“Wearing a NHS rainbow badge is a way for our staff to show that Evelina London is an open, non-judgemental and inclusive place for children, young people and their families who identify as LGBT+ and that we are here for them in every way.
“It was really important to us that the badge is meaningful, which is why when staff sign up to wear one they are provided with information about LGBT+ health inequalities and ways that they can help to tackle them.
“The initiative has already led to many extremely positive conversations between our staff and patients. We really hope that our toolkit will encourage other NHS organisations to introduce rainbow badges as they can play a valuable part in reducing stigma and inequality.”
Since the scheme launched almost a third (32%) of Evelina London staff have signed up to wear the badge. A target of 25% was set to combat the Stonewall statistic that almost a quarter of NHS staff have heard their colleagues make a negative remark about LGBT+ people.
Jayne King, head of security and co-chair of the LGBT+ forum at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said, “Equality for both our staff and patients is extremely important to us and the NHS rainbow badge initiative demonstrates our support for the LGBT+ community and our ongoing commitment to promoting inclusion and celebrating diversity.
“NHS staff are in the perfect position to be advocates and supporters for LGBT+ people. Increased awareness of the issues LGBT+ people face when accessing healthcare can make a significant difference to their experiences, and, in turn their physical and mental health.”
The openly gay TV doctor won’t be allowed to dance with another man.
(C) BBC
In keeping with tradition, in more ways that one, Doctor Ranj Singh, despite identifying as gay, will only be allowed to dance with a woman on the BBC’s flagship show, Strictly Come Dancing.
According to the statement released by the BBC, “Strictly has chosen the longstanding ballroom dancing format of mixed-sex couples and at the moment we have no plans to introduce same-sex couples”.
Dr Ranj has spoken about his desire to dance with a man on the show. He told the Mirror, “I would love to dance with a same-sex partner. I would value a time when same-sex couples could dance on shows like Strictly. It is incredibly important. We are making progress but there is still time to go.”
Dr Ranj is not the first Strictly alum to talk about same-sex dance partners. Former contestant Reverend Richard Coles said, “We’ve had a discussion about it, actually, and I don’t know. It makes absolutely no sense that anybody resists the idea, in principle. It’s just a question of doing it.”
Judge Craig Revel Horwood also said that he could see same-sex dance couples working on the show saying, “I think a same-sex couple can exist. You only have to decide who’s going to go backwards,” he said. “In the world of competitions, there are same-sex couples that do it as well so there is no reason that can’t happen. The Beeb just have to decide if it’s something they want to do.”
For the show, the doctor has been teamed up with Janette Manrara, who has danced with Peter Andre, Aston Merrygold, Melvin Odoom and Julien Macdonald in previous seasons of the hit show.
Dr Ranj is the latest contestant to take part in the show who publicly identifies as lesbian gay or bisexual. As of 2018 there have been no transgender contestants on the show and as a whole Strictly’s casting has woefully unrepresented openly LGBT+ people. No one from the LGBT+ community has ever won the competition.
Of 207 contestants since the shows premier in 2004 these are the openly LGB stars of the show.
Series 1
Jason Wood was the first openly gay person to take part in the show in 2004. He was paried with Kylie Jones and was voted out in week 2.
Series 2
Julian Clary performed alongside Erin Boag and came third.
Series 3
Colin Jackson appeared in the third season, however, he was not openly gay at that time. He came second in the competition.
Series 9
Russell Grant danced with Flavia Cacace and was booted in week 8.
Series 12
Scott Mills was paired with Joanne Clifton and was voted out in week 6.
Series 14
Will Young appeared in the show and danced with Karen Clifton until he with withdrew in week 3.
Judge Rinder danced alongside Oksana Platero and was voted out in week 11.
Series 15
Rev Richard Coles danced with Dianne Buswell and was voted out in week 3.
Susan Calman danced with Kevin Clifton and was voted out in week 10.
Dr Ranj is starring in Strictly, but did you know that although he identifies as gay he was once married to a woman?
Dr Ranj Singh is most famous for being This Morning‘s and CBeebies doctor, but he’s currently starring in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Who is Doctor Ranj married to?
The doctor isn’t currently married to anyone but has, in the past, been married to a woman. In an interview with the Mirror, he described how he came out as gay to his wife in his 20s. They had been married for 5 years.
He revealed that coming to terms with his sexuality and ending his marriage made him feel as though his heart “had been wrenched out” of his chest.
“I was completely broken. It was the lowest point in my life. I can only imagine how hard it was for my wife, though – she didn’t deserve any of that. I feel so incredibly sorry for what she had to go through.”
Who is Dr Ranj’s dance partner?
(C) BBC
For the show, the doctor has been teamed up with Janette Manrara, who has danced with Peter Andre, Aston Merrygold, Melvin Odoom and Julien Macdonald in previous seasons of the hit show.
What is Dr Ranj famous for?
Apart from being This Morning‘s resident doctor, Ranj has also appeared on Save Money: Good Health and is a presenter on the CBeebies series Get Well Soon and also Bedtime Stories.
