Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are significantly more common in people who identify as LGBTI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex + denoting inclusion of all identities). The aim of this initiative is to actively break down barriers which LGBTI+ people may face within the HSE. When an individual signs up to wear a badge, they acknowledge why the project is needed and what their responsibility entails.Ĭommitting to the project emphasises that you promote an environment that is open, tolerant and inclusive. The information we provide outlines the challenges that LGBTI+ people can face in relation to accessing healthcare and the degree of negative attitudes which are still found.
We provide basic education and access to resources for staff who want to sign up to the project. Our model emphasises that wearing a badge is a responsibility. It shows that the wearer is there to listen without judgement and signpost to further support if needed. The badge itself is intended to be a simple visual symbol identifying its wearer as someone an LGBTI+ person can feel comfortable talking to about issues relating to sexuality or gender identity. The HSE Rainbow Badge initiative is a way for HSE staff to demonstrate that they are aware of the issues that LGBTI+ people can face when accessing healthcare. FOI Disclosure log and other information that we publish.HSE Operational performance and Integration.National Quality and Patient Safety Directorate.Values in Action - Our People, Our Culture.National Healthcare Communication Programme.Community Pharmacy Contractor Agreement.Spotlight: Workplace Health and Wellbeing Unit.Strategic Workforce Planning & Intelligence.Your Personal Information - You and Your Health Service.Patients awaiting admission (TrolleyGAR).Social Inclusion, Asylum Seekers, Travellers.Although there is treatment available, there is no cure. These groups, and others, continue their advocacy today as millions of people are still diagnosed with AIDS or are living with the disease. Other groups such as ACT UP focused on political action to increase AIDS awareness, research, and funding.
Groups such as the Gay Men’s Health Crisis galvanized allies to help care for AIDS patients. Some victims were shunned by family, friends, and even medical establishments. For many, the stigma of AIDS was nearly as bad as the diagnosis itself. The ‘gay plague’ ravaged the community often leaving victims deceased within months.
These victories cannot be celebrated without discussing the AIDS crisis of the ’80s. Supreme Court legalized marriage equality in all 50 states. In 1989, Denmark became the first country to legally recognize same-sex unions, and Massachusetts was the first state to legally recognize same-sex marriage in 2004. The 1980 presidential election was the first where ‘gay rights’ were part of a political party’s platform. In 2009, President Barack Obama officially declared June LGBT Pride Month.Īlthough the fight for gay rights goes back centuries, many of the most significant milestones were not achieved until recently. But it was not until 1999 that President Bill Clinton officially recognized Pride Month.
Subsequent marches took place throughout the country every June. On the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the first Pride march took place in NYC with nearly 4,000 people marching from the Stonewall Inn, now a national monument, to Central Park. It sparked activism among the LGBTQ community and within two years, gay rights groups had a presence in most major cities. Although police raids were not uncommon, this event, which came to be known as The Stonewall Riots, served as a turning point in the fight for gay rights. At that time, homosexuality was considered a crime in New York state, so bars operated without the proper permitting thus making them susceptible to police raids. As part of our company's PRIDE Month celebration, this email was sent to our team members marking the start of the event.įor six days in June 1969, the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, and queer) community and thousands of supporters protested against New York City (NYC) police officers after they raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in the City.