Every year, across the globe, June is dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, to promote messages of equality, love and friendship, empower LGBTQ+ voices but also recognise the ongoing struggles for many.
What's happening this year?
This year, we will be joining dietetic students from Cardiff Metropolitan University and other BDA members at Pride Cymru, to show our support for LGBTQ+ communities.
On Saturday 21 June at 11am, we’ll be taking part in the parade through the heart of Cardiff. We hope to see as many of you there as possible and give us a cheer as we go past - or join us on the parade. If you'd like to join us, submit your details via the form below.
Liz Stockley, CEO of the BDA, commented, “I’m so excited to be attending Pride Cymru this year and to be joined by our Chair Susan Price. We’ll be flying the dietetic flag for diversity and it would be wonderful if members would join us.
“We’re passionate about promoting diversity within the dietetic workforce and ensuring that all members feel included and confident to progress in this brilliant career.
“Pride not only celebrates members of the LGBTQ+ community but also highlights the challenges that some individuals have to face. We’re committed to ensuring that not only our members but the communities they serve are supported fairly and free from discrimination.”
What is Pride?
Pride started as a political movement in the 60’s and is now in its 51st year.
The Stonewall Riots in 1969 were a key catalyst for the movement, triggered when a bar in the gay district of New York was raided for the second time in a week. 200 people were thrown out and some were beaten in the street. The gay community had had enough and decided to fight back against their harassment.
A week of protests followed and inspired people across the World to hold their own. The first openly gay march in New York was held a month later and the first Pride festival was held in the UK in 1972.
Since then, the movement has grown and grown, with millions taking part every year.
Pride in dietetics
At the BDA, we recognise that there is rich diversity in the dietetic workforce, as well as in the communities that the profession serves. We are committed to promoting equality, equity, diversity and inclusion amongst our membership, to ensure that individuals feel a sense of belonging and can progress and be fulfilled in their chosen career.
We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment, where we can protect and support LGBTQ+ members but also champion the rights of the LGBTQ+ communities receiving treatment.
Education
As a dietetic workforce we are proud to deliver values-based care - acting with integrity, self-management and self-awareness. The BDA Curriculum 2020 outlines the expectations.
With reference to behaviours & values, the workforce must have the ability to demonstrate a critical, integrated and applied understanding of professionalism, with the ability to:
- Act with integrity in all aspects of behaviour and practice.
- Act in accordance with current legislation applicable to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Deliver values-based care; acting with integrity, self-management and self-awareness.
- Take an objective approach to meeting people's needs at all times, irrespective of personal beliefs and values.
- Discuss openly what constitutes professional behaviour, actively contributing to ongoing debate, sharing ideas whilst respecting the views of others.
- Act in a manner consistent with the values and priorities of the organisation and profession
And in terms of knowledge, the workforce must have an understanding of:
The role of dietetics in public health and public health nutrition:
- How social organisation including inclusion, exclusion, health inequalities, social injustice, social inequality and different cultural belief systems impact on health and disease.
- Broad knowledge and understanding of the roles of dietetics within the health and social care sector, third sector and industry.
- The legislation applicable to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the important role registrants play in challenging discrimination and ensuring EDI is respected in the workplace.
Support and learning
Whilst Pride is a celebration, there is also an important message underpinning the month. Many people across the world still face persecution for who they are.
As a trade union that is part of the TUC, we wanted to share some of their useful advice for any of our BDA Trade Union Reps, related to LGBT+ issues.
You’ll find supporting materials here on:
- Supporting non-binary workers
- Good practice criteria for employers
- How to be a good trans ally at work
- LGBT Equality at Work Guide
You’ll find some valuable advice for LGBT+ workers from the TUC, in particular FAQs on discrimination linked to sexual orientation.
As always, if you have any concerns, please contact your BDA Trade Union Rep in your workplace. If you aren’t sure who it is please email tus[email protected]