This year Newcastle is the host city for UK Pride and we also mark 50 years since the first UK LGBTQ+ march in London.
Along with family and friends, staff from Newcastle Hospitals marched in the colourful procession through the city centre.
We also joined forces with North East Ambulance Service, Northumbria Police, Northumbria PCC, and Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service to host a Pride breakfast reception at Newcastle Civic Centre, which featured the Blue Light Choir, singing to an audience of around 500 people which gave our staff the opportunity to meet other LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies and learn about the great work being done in other organisations to ensure inclusion for all.
The Rainbow Village hosted a stand with staff available to talk all about working at Newcastle Hospitals, including vacancies and advising on the support we provide patients. In addition to this, we also hosted a sexual health stall in the Health & Wellbeing Zone, providing everyone with free STI tests.
Karen Pearce, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (People) at Newcastle Hospitals, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to join colleagues at Northern Pride. Wearing our Newcastle Hospitals t-shirts, we all marched together taking in the atmosphere of the amazing crowd.
“Pride is a time for us to reflect on the progress we’ve made towards LGBT equality and to acknowledge the fact that we stand on the shoulders of all those who have fought so hard over the years to achieve this. It is also a time for us to acknowledge that we still have so much more to do.
“Thank you to everyone who participated – it was a true honour to walk with you.
See below some photos from the day
