The PDA LGBT+ Network proactively addresses and campaigns around sexual orientation and transgender discrimination and its causes and consequences. Since its launch in April 2020, the network and its members have continued to work together to campaign and improve the working lives of pharmacists in the UK and work towards a more equal world.
The work of the PDA LGBT+ Network
In August 2021, the PDA LGBT+ Network launched pronoun badges and flyers to help pharmacists and patients who feel invisible, or who are struggling with their gender identity within the pharmacy context. Pronoun badges are a simple but effective way of signalling that you respect people’s pronouns and their gender identity.
In October 2021, the network began its #LGBTplusMPharm campaign. The campaign is continuing to raise awareness about the importance of educating students, letting LGBT+ students feel included, tackling LGBT+ discrimination in education and healthcare settings, and most importantly, improving LGBT+ patient care. As part of the campaign, the network also released a series of resources including an action plan, case studies, and a resource list.
The PDA LGBT+ Network recently published a statement on Gender Affirming Care. The statement follows the network’s beliefs that pharmacists have a key role in improving the care of transgender people and that carrying out the recommendations in the statement will better support the care of transgender patients.
Celebrating PDA LGBT+ Network members
As Pride Month also celebrates the LGBT+ community, the PDA is taking the opportunity to celebrate members of the LGBT+ Network.
In April 2023, trainee pharmacist and co-opted member of the PDA LGBT+ Network, Soh Xi Ken won the Scottish Trades Union Congress’ (STUC) Equality Award. The award praised Xi Ken’s tireless advocacy for LGBT+ workers within pharmacies in Scotland, highlighting his personal experience of homophobia in Scotland and his home country, Malaysia.
Most recently, Liam Volk was elected as the second President of the PDA LGBT+ Network. Liam works as the lead pharmacist for medicine and anticoagulation at North Devon District Hospital and has been pushing for greater LGBT+ inclusion in his workplace.
Liam commented, “Pride Month is an important time to celebrate the work of the LGBT+ community in building a society which is happier and healthier for everyone. But with there still being movements abroad and in the UK seeking to oppress and harm the LGBT+ community, it’s important to remember the history of pride as a protest movement, and how this open visibility of LGBT+ people reminds those who wish to oppress us that we aren’t going anywhere.”
Get involved
- Join the PDA LGBT+ Network here.
- Those who would like to get involved with the network and its activities, please email lgbt@the-pda.org
- Follow the PDA LGBT+ Network on social media using the hashtag #PDAlgbt.
- Join the PDA LGBT+ Network at Manchester Pride Saturday 26 August. Register here.
Learn more
- Stonewall website
- PDA LGBT+ Network launch pronoun badges and flyers (11/8/21)
- PDA LGBT+ Network writes to GPhC and PhSC on more inclusion of LGBT+ education in the MPharm programme (8/10/21)
- PDA LGBT+ Network launch resources to support LGBT+ inclusive education (2/6/22)
- The PDA LGBT+ Network publish statement on Gender Affirming Care (10/4/23)
- PDA LGBT+ Network committee member wins trade union equality award (29/4/23)
- Liam Volk elected as the second President of the PDA LGBT+ Network (25/5/23)
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.