Pride month is celebrated in June since it was the month of the Stonewall riots, protests which changed gay rights for a lot of people in America and beyond. This sparked the formation of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) which was then replicated in the UK during the 1970s. The UK’s GLF campaigned for an end to discrimination against gay men and women, working alongside women’s rights movements.
Although the GLF eventually dissolved, it broke down barriers and empowered its members to continue to fight for equality. In addition, the Wolfenden Report led to the decriminalisation and de-medicalisation of homosexuality in the 1960s, and the start of the Beaumont Society gave transgender people a source of support.
Despite the demands for equality, Thatcher’s government introduced Section 28, which criminalised the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality, which prevented the discussion of issues faced by the LGBT+ community. This was finally abolished in 2003, followed by legislation that permitted civil partnerships and marriages between same-sex couples.
Additionally, the legislation of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 allowed trans people to change their legal gender, however, the aim to reform this Act has been met with criticism. Whilst the Equality Act 2010 assigns ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender reassignment’ as protected characteristics, the reality is that LGBT+ people still face prejudice and discrimination, especially in the workplace.
Scott Rutherford, President of the PDA LGBT+ Network, said: “Pride is, and always has been a protest. Although it has become more accepted and mainstream, being proud often remains a challenge in settings that stifle LGBT+ identities, and there is progress yet to be made.
This month and always, the PDA LGBT+ Network celebrates its pride and appreciates the recent commitments to equality and diversity made by the General Pharmaceutical Council and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. We sincerely hope that, together, we can work to make pharmacy a safer and more inclusive place for patients and professionals alike.”
Lauren Keatley-Hayes, Vice-President of the PDA LGBT+ Network, said: “Pride is important to celebrate how far we have come in terms of LGBTQ+ rights and to recognise our community members whose rights are not yet fully realised. It gives us a sense of belonging and reminds us we are not alone.
When it comes to pharmacy and health care roles, this is a good reminder to ensure we are supporting our LGBTQ+ colleagues and patients. There are always improvements to be made, and PDA LGBT+ Network members who are out at work can be a beacon to patients who may need help with LGBTQ+ issues.”
Related links
Get Involved
- Follow the PDA LGBT+ Pharmacists’ Network on social media using the hashtag #PDAlgbt
- For more information about the PDA LGBT+ Network, click here.
- If you would like to get involved with the network and its activities, please email: lgbt@the-pda.org.
JOIN THE PDA LGBT+ NETWORK TODAY