A final wave of the rainbow flag as HEE marks their last LGBT+ History Month

Celebrating our present, remembering our past and building a new future as HEE commemorates it's final LGBT+ History Month with HEEROs and the Diversity, Inclusion and Participation team.  

This year our HEERO’s and Diversity, Inclusion and Participation Team have organised a packed month full of activities for our employee, including discussions, safe space session and fun events designed to support HEE’s values of being responsible, fair, confident, and inclusive. 

HEEROs is an HEE staff network that aims to raise LGBTQ+ awareness and provide support. It offers a confidential support network to all employees on LGBTQ+ issues, as well as an open space to help employees report homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and harassment. 

This LGBT+ History Month our HEERO’s will be sharing personal stories from colleagues as well as celebrating HEERO’s achievements over the years and how we can take this into the new NHS England. 

The theme for this year’s event is ‘Behind the Lens’, and we hear from HEEROs National Chair, Sam Grant on why marking HEE’s final LGBT+ History Month is so important: 

“I recognise that we celebrate LGBT+ History Month 2023 as our last as Health Education England. I reflect on all the fantastic work we have done and look forward to the development of staff network in the new NHS England. 

I also acknowledge on the ongoing struggles the LGBTQIA+ community face in the UK, which we are seeing more of now than in recent years. 

As a proud gay man working in the NHS, I am in a fortunate position of leading staff network in our organisation - An opportunity that I do not take for granted.  

We have much more to do on this journey to true LGBTQI+ inclusive healthcare and ensuring that the NHS supports its LGBTQI+ employees.  

A core memory for me looking back on my time as Chair is the wonderful Pride Month parades colleagues across the NHS attended. I hope this celebration continues for years to come!” 

We're talking all about LGBT+ History Month on our social media channels, so please do support us by sharing our messages on LinkedIn and Instagram. 

More information 

• LGBT+ History Month website 

• Health Education England recognised by Stonewall for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace