Event: RCN LGBT network meeting
This annual meeting of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Network celebrated both local and national initiatives designed to tackle homophobia.
“We are proud of our relationship with the RCN”, said James Taylor of lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewell. James presented an overview of findings from the new Healthcare Equality Index. The index was commissioned to help tackle homophobia in employment and service delivery and benchmark sexual equality in the NHS. James explained that “if organisations get it right with LGBT staff, they are more likely to get it right with LGBT service users”. He encouraged members of the network to get their trusts to participate in the index.
Wendy Irwin of the Diversity and Equality Unit welcomed local charity representatives from GYRO (Gay Youth R Out) and Liverpool Pride. GYRO, attendees were informed, supports children and young people who are LGBT in the Liverpool area. It was clear from both this work and that of Liverpool Pride, the biggest Pride outside of London, that Liverpool is proud of its LGBT community and will tackle homophobia head on.
Tina Donnelly, Director of RCN Wales and the RCN’s corporate LGBT champion, thanked the network and said: “I am proud of the fact this event takes place at Congress every year. In these times of austerity, we must ensure that LGBT issues do not fall off the agenda.”
