Image of Rob Goodyear Ahead of LGBT History month, the ICB’s LGBTQ+ staff network discussed what we’d like to share to celebrate this year’s theme of activism and social change. There was a range of responses as we shared our experiences of activism, our coming out stories, our protests and participation in activism and the progress across the years, some of us had civil partnerships, then converted to marriage, things that were unthinkable growing up. There were different generations in the room, and we talked about the different challenges we had faced and our role models as we grew.

We talked about our participation in Pride now and if we attended Pride marches – that show of solidarity and protests for hard-earned rights for LGBTQ+ people / communities and our acceptance as part of the global populations.

I had to say that I no longer celebrated Pride or went on the marches – I did that in the eighties, nineties and noughties. I shared that I didn’t think I was an activist any longer – more a passive supporter and the most I do is to have my personal pronouns and the LGBTQ+ staff network’s flag at the bottom of my email.

We also discussed what was happening in the UK and the world, particularly highlighted in the USA, with the president signing executive orders to remove equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) from every government organisation and major corporations rolling back initiatives.

I reflected that our LGBTQ+ community was one of the groups that had fought for equality and that I felt this was a significant backward step (understatement) for our rights. The group agreed and we discussed how that made us feel and noted that, while some LGBTQ+ battles are felt to be won, this can come from a place of privilege, as transgender and gender queer communities continue to face particular threats to their rights and existence. We talked about the riots over the summer and how quickly things can change from comfort to fear and how that affected us and our colleagues. We recalled the following words that Martin Niemöller wrote at the end of WWII:

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

That made me so reflective, and I can’t believe it won’t strike a chord with everyone – not just those of us who have protected characteristics under the Equality Act. We all have a role to play in advocating for inclusion, standing up for others and protesting when we see injustice. Complacency cannot prevail. As an ICB, we have statutory mandatory training for diversity and inclusion; we have a compassionate culture that embraces diversity; there are commitments to improve leadership diversity; and we have networks like ours to support staff.

The politics of the USA have affected me – no more treatment for those who are trans and cementing in law that there are only two sexes, blaming EDI and disabled people for causing a plane crash.

The erosion of LGBTQ+ rights that our community fought for reminds me of why I used to go on Pride marches – to fight for these rights – and for our acceptance. While this loss is most obvious in America, we are a global community and ILGA -Europe, an organisation that works for LGBTI people's safety, equality and freedom creates a Rainbow Map and index that ranks 49 European countries on their respective legal and policy practices for LGBTI people. The UK now places 16th – below Spain, Greece, Belgium, and Ireland, Malta tops the chart. We need to continue to be aware.

So… perhaps I’m more of an activist than I thought. I wonder when they’ll come for me.

Thank you for reading.

Note: If you’ve been affected by any of these issues, there are LGBTQ+ staff groups and a range of other staff networks across the organisations in our Partnership, which offer support to staff. The West Yorkshire staff wellbeing hub is also available to everyone working in our Partnership. Please reach out if you need support.