Pride Month 2023 - The Month in Review

22 June 2023

June marks Pride Month, an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ people across the world. The month looks to bring attention to the issues still faced, the great work and progression made by the people of the community, and education that there is still a long way to go before true equity is reached.

Pinc List 2023

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is delighted to have had four of our incredible colleagues named on WalesOnline’s Pinc List, their annual celebration of Wales' most influential LGBTQ+ people. On this year's list, the following were chosen for their extraordinary efforts in making the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.

Dr Darren Cousins, Consultant for Sexual Health and HIV at Cardiff Royal Infirmary
Lisa Cordery-Bruce, Specialist Community Public Health Nurse
Dr Sophie Quinney, Clinical Director & GP Gender Clinician at the Wales Gender Service
Dr Kate Nambiar, Gender Clinician / Endocrinology Specialist at the Wales Gender Service

Pride Cymru

On June 17, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board joined the march at Pride Cymru with other Health Boards in Wales.

Colleagues have taken the opportunity to share some of their experiences of Pride Cymru and what visual support for LGBTQ+ people means to them as members of the community.

Nathan Saunders, Senior Corporate Governance Officer

"This is the first time I had marched with NHS Wales and the atmosphere was absolutely incredible. As the Chair of the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, I thought it was important to be present, but it's not about that. It's about being part of a community. A diverse, wonderful, friendly and strong community.

It was an honour to march alongside colleagues and seeing all of the supporters stood at the side, cheering everybody on was actually quite moving. Pride Cymru showcases how open Cardiff City is to everybody. It shows that hate and bigotry is not tolerated in our City, and we'll always fight for that.

With the constant hate in the mainstream media towards the LGBTQ+ community (particularly the trans community), it's more important than ever to be as visible as we can and to shout from the rooftops that we are here, we've always been here and we're not going anywhere!"

Sally-Anne Ashdowne, Primary Care Counselling Service

"Pride means so much to me. I see it as a space where the LGBTQIA+ Community (and all who support us), can congregate and celebrate our own individuality and uniqueness in a very inclusive way.

Others say to me, “there should be no need for Pride”. I say, whilst others before me have fought for the legal protections and freedom I am able to enjoy in this country today, there is still so much work to be done. Many of us still experience discrimination and persecution in schools, at workplaces and out in public. Legal protections and freedoms can be given but can also be taken away. Many within our Community in other parts of the world face horrors just for being who they are.

I go to celebrate that right here, right now I can be my true authentic self! To give thanks to those who fought for the freedom I enjoy today and to stand tall amongst my fellow Community, spreading the beautiful message, Love is Love!"

Katie Rose, Commercial Trials Co-Ordinator

"Watching the parade for Pride Cymru is my annual reminder that I am not alone. Life in the UK at the moment can feel very scary for LGBTQ+ people, but every year, on the day of the parade for Pride Cymru, I can go into the centre of Wales’ capital city and see thousands upon thousands of people who are just like me, who care about me, who want me to be able to live my life in peace.

I see local LGBTQ+ football teams and choirs, smiling and laughing as they celebrate the day together. I see community support and activist groups, enjoying a day of celebration away from their endless thankless hard work.

And I see young people, out at their first ever pride, lost in the joy of seeing their community surrounding them and supporting them for the first time in their lives. I know I am not alone. I know we will get through this. And I know I am a proud transgender lesbian woman, and no one can ever take that away from me."

Novice Honey Imhome, Cardiff’s Order of Perpetual Indulgence and colleague at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

"The queer experience is quite a lonely one – it can take a lot of time to find yourself, and then find and others like you. LGBTQ+ people don’t look like anything in particular, and it’s hard to know who might feel the same way you do unless they are open to talking about it. LGBTQ+ people make up about 2% of the population and that can feel very small. Whenever you feel lonely, know that at Pride there is almost guaranteed to be someone exactly like you.

For all the people who are questioning, who haven’t found themselves yet but think there might be something to explore, and those that are too scared to – Pride is for you. It’s always been for you. I hope to see you in 2024!

Oh – and this get up? If I can go outside looking like this, you can live your beautiful queer life the way you want as well. You are loved and deserve love too."

Blake Hayward, Radiographer

"Pride is not only a time for celebration but also a time to raise awareness of the issues we might experience being part of the LGBTQ+ community. Recent news of the Bristol Pride billboard being set alight just highlights that for how far we have come, there is still a long way to go. Considered acts of hatred are the reason why Pride remains a protest and why we should all show up to support each other."

In February of this year, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board was ranked 80th in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, which celebrates the 100 best-performing organisations across the UK for LGBTQ+ Equality.

Earning a Gold Award, Cardiff and Vale UHB was judged on the organisations’ employment policy and practice in addition to surveys completed anonymously by staff about their experiences of diversity and inclusion at work.