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From 1 April 2026, please visit the new NHS West and North London website for the latest information, news and updates. The website address is www.westandnorthlondon.icb.nhs.uk
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Pride in London is taking place this Saturday, starting at The Green Park, and walking down through Piccadilly to finish near Westminster.
There is a lot of comments regarding Prides that some people say such as “We don’t have Straight Pride” or “I don’t know why they have to do it!”
To this, I would say that Pride is about:
- Celebrating acceptance and equality
- Honouring the work of LGBTQIA+ people
- Educating about LGBTQIA+ history
- Raising awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community
- Being proud of who you are, regardless of who you love!
In the UK, hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ people are on the rise. In 2021/2022 there was a 41% rise in hate crimes reported to the police on sexual orientation whilst there was a 56% increase in transgender identity hate crimes.
In some parts of the world, LGBTQIA+ rights are eroded every day. There are 64 countries in the world where being LGBTQIA+ is illegal. For example, homosexuality is disapproved of in Russia, and any pro-LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups are seen as “extremist” and are banned. In Indonesia, men can be caned for having sex with another man.
I will leave you with a quote from Elliot Page, a Canadian actor, producer director and author: “Love, the beauty of it, the joy of it and yes, even the pain of it, is the most incredible gift to give and to receive as a human being. And we deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise.”
Wishing you a very happy Pride.
Phill Martin, Chair of LGBTQ Staff Network