Pride Season 2025
Every June, the LGBTQ+ population and their allies come together to celebrate and recognise the influence LGBTQ+ people have had around the world. This begins what has grown to become Pride Season, a series of events that highlight current challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people and celebrate the progress made toward equality.
This year we have seen further increases in hostility toward LGBTQ+ people; intense negative media and public discord, particularly around trans people, has led to increases in hate crimes, vandalism of LGBTQ+ venues and disruption of LGBTQ+ events. Society has come a long way since the Stonewall Riots of 1969, but with the UK slipping down to 22nd place in the Rainbow Europe Map we clearly need to continue to raise awareness, challenge negative attitudes and celebrate inclusiveness.
For LGBTQ+ people, Pride Season promotes their dignity, equal rights, self-affirmation and is a way of increasing society’s awareness of the issues they face.
Today, barriers to equal rights and opportunities remain and contribute to some of the negative experiences that the LGBTQ+ population face. We are yet to see all forms of so-called conversion therapy banned for example. It is therefore crucial that NHS employers have open conversations at work about the experience of their LGBTQ+ staff inside and outside of the workplace.
The latest NHS Staff Survey findings highlight that the experience of LGBTQ+ NHS staff is disproportionately poorer than their colleagues – and this widens further for transgender staff. It is vital that employers educate colleagues so that they can help to create a more welcoming, safe working environment where everyone can thrive.
Supporting our LGBTQ+ workforce
The NHS People Plan recognises the urgency of NHS leaders acting and creating an organisational culture where everyone feels that they belong – in particular, improving the experience of staff from diverse and minority backgrounds.
Today, barriers to equal rights and opportunities remain and contribute to some of the negative experiences that the LGBTQ+ population face. We are yet to see all forms of so-called conversion therapy banned for example. It is therefore crucial that NHS organisations have open conversations at work about the experience of their LGBTQ+ staff inside and outside of the workplace.
NHS organisations should strive to create a culture and environment that allows LGBTQ+ staff to be themselves at work and to contribute fully to the wider organisation. It's important that employers educate colleagues so that they can help to create a more welcoming working environment.
Access a variety of resources
Below are some useful resources focussed on supporting LGBTQ+ leaders, aspiring leaders and allies across health and care.
Join the NHS Confederation's Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network - If you're an LGBTQ+ leader or ally, be part of a diverse network of people from across health and care, supporting and influencing change across the system.
LGBTQ+ inclusion hub – Access actionable resources and tools to support leaders, aspiring leaders and allies to embed LGBTQ+ inclusion within their organisations.
Health and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders Network survey – Review the results of the network’s latest member survey, which uncovered the realities of LGBTQ+ staff experience in the NHS.
LGBTQ+ staff experience – Read a blog from the Heath and Care LGBTQ+ Leaders network chair, Mark Cubbon, reflecting on the network’s survey results, and the need for leaders to take robust action to create inclusive workplace cultures where everyone can thrive.
Inclusive leadership pledge – Over 1,500 leaders and aspiring leaders across health and care have signed our inclusive leadership pledge. The pledge includes nine behaviours you can adopt to model inclusive leadership. Find out more and sign the pledge now.
Health and Care LGBTQ+ Inclusion Framework – The framework is built on six pillars to enable health and care leaders to ensure their working culture and services are LGBTQ+ inclusive.
Closing the inequality gap in LGBTQ+ staff experience – According to the latest NHS Staff Survey results, LGBTQ+ staff are more likely to have a disproportionately poorer experience and the NHS Confederation’s Health and Care LGBTQ+ Network executive lead, Dr Layla McCay, shares practical tips for leaders and colleagues to help close this gap and foster inclusion.
The importance of allyship to improve LGBTQ+ inclusion – Read a blog from Dr Layla McCay, who reflects on the need for allies to understand the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ staff.
LGBTQ+ staff experience gap – Access our updated infographic which explores the growing LGBTQ+ staff experience gap and actions you can take to support LGBTQ+ colleagues working across health and care.
Being LGBTQ+ in the NHS – Listen to a special podcast, recorded at NHS ConfedExpo in 2024, featuring our executive lead, Dr Layla McCay, Dame Jackie Daniel and Steve Russell who share their experiences of being LGBTQ+ in the NHS.
The King’s Fund and LGBTQ+ inclusion: 'Yes, and?'- Read a blog by Alexandra D’Sa, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at the King’s Fund to find out what they did to support inclusion and become a Stonewall Top 100 Employer.
Supporting your LGBTQ+ workforce – Access tools, resources, and best practice to help you create a culture and environment that welcomes LGBTQ+ staff, allowing them to be themselves at work and to contribute fully to the wider organisation.
Sexual orientation and gender identity data – The Office for National Statistics (ONS) census data around sexual orientation and gender identity data is a useful tool to support LGBTQ+ healthcare and a workforce that is inclusive and representative.
LGBTQ+ equality in medicine – The BMA have a range of resources which explore the experiences of LGBTQ+ doctors and medical students in education, training and the workplace.
LGBTQ+ workforce visibility – Seven LGBTQ+ mental health sector leaders share their journeys and reflections on being confident and visible in their identities, leading as their authentic selves, in this two-part podcast special.
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Get involved
We want to hear about what you are doing this year to support Pride season. Let us know of any events or initiatives and we’ll share them across the network.
