This weekend sees this year’s annual Pride event take place in Glasgow with headline acts including Texas, Union J and Katrina and the Waves to name a few.
The event takes place across Saturday and Sunday and staff from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s (NHSGGC) Inequalities Team will be on hand asking people about their experiences of the services provided by NHSGGC and asking how the system could be working better for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender community.
The team will be encouraging people to get involved in our ‘Stand Against Homophobia’ Campaign by adding their picture to our Stand Against Homophobia gallery!
Jackie Erdman, Head of Inequalities for NHSGGC, said: “This weekend we hope people attending the Pride event will approach us and let us know what we are doing right and where we need to make changes.
“We are also delighted that NHSGGC has been been shortlisted for the first Scottish Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Awards for the Public Body Equality Initiative of the Year category for work carried out with Mental Health Services in Glasgow Community Health Partnership (CHP).”
Doug Adams, Head of Planning and Performance for Mental Health Partnerships, added: “We are delighted with the recognition Mental Health Services and Glasgow CHP have received through this nomination. The work involved delivering training opportunities and information days for staff to ensure that they are aware of the issues facing LGBTI patients.”
Hosted at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel, the evening will recognise and celebrate people and organisations making positive contributions to LGBTI equality and human rights in Scotland.
The night, hosted by comedienne Karen Dunbar, will bring together hundreds of LGBTI people and equality supporters to celebrate those who have made a difference, from community groups and volunteers, to leading businesses, public bodies, media outlets and politicians.
This isn’t the first time NHSGGC has been recognised for its inequalities work.
In 2013, our ‘Standing together against homophobia’ campaign picked up the prestigious Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Scotland Pride Award for Public Sector Campaign of the Year.
The first of its kind in the UK NHS, the campaign has won support from a host of celebrities including A-list Hollywood star Alan Cumming. It has gained more than 1,200 online pledges of support from staff and the public, and more than 15,000 hits on its web page.
The zero tolerance campaign makes it clear that NHSGGC treats homophobic attitudes and behaviour by its staff, patients or visitors as seriously as racism and sexism or any other type of discrimination.
The campaign has also received the backing of leading agency Stonewall Scotland which works to achieve equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
ENDS