LGBTQ+
CCA members are strongly committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for our LGBTQ+ colleagues. As pharmacy professionals, we recognise the importance of visibility and safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community – patients, customers and our own teams.
Our members have worked with our LGBTQ+ colleagues to ensure their voices are heard at all levels. Below are some great examples of how our members are working to increase representation and participation.
Boots – Out Leaders Panel event
Last year, Boots’ colleagues held an event focusing on role modelling LGBTQ+ leadership. Boots stands strongly for equity in LGBTQ+ career progression. They curated and hosted the Out Leaders Panel event earlier in 2022 to promote awareness and career mobility for colleagues identifying as LGBTQ+, ensuring greater representation in leadership positions.
Superdrug – LGBTQIA+ Employee Network
As part of Superdrug’s Everyone Matters strategy, employees who identify as LGBTQIA+ can join an employee network to share their voice and experiences. These networks make up a steering group of employees and are headed by a direct sponsor who is able to ensure their views are heard by senior leaders.. For National Coming Out Day in 2019, LGBTQ+ employees had the opportunity to talk to a group of 40 senior leaders about inclusion and representation.
Tesco – Out at Tesco to support LGBTQ+ colleagues
Established in 2005, LGBTQ+ at Tesco is one of the largest LGBTQ+ colleague networks in Europe. It is designed to support and empower LGBTQ+ colleagues so that they feel confident to be themselves at work. LGBTQ+ at Tesco works across the LGBTQ+ community, supporting several initiatives and charities, and also advocates on behalf of LGBTQ+ customers. Tesco takes part and supports a range of Pride events nationally, are a proud member of Stonewall Global Diversity Champions Programme and the Open for Business coalition.
The Sector and Beyond
Useful Further Reading
- Boots’ Pharmacy Technician Shares his Story for #Pride2022 – Pharmacy technician Conor Doyle shared his journey at Boots. Conor is involved in the Boots’ Pride Alliance Business Resource Group. You can read his blog piece here.
- Pride in Practice – Here are best practice guidelines created by the LGBT Foundation, and nationally endorsed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the Royal College of General Practitioners. They are intended for primary care health professionals and services to strengthen their relationships with lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans patients.
- Allyship at Work – Stonewall have set out 7 ways to be a good ally to your LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Need a Break from Reading?
Check Out These Insightful Webinars and Podcasts:
LGBTQ+ Panel Discussion at the Pharmacy Business Diversity Conference 2021 – CCA member Well Pharmacy proudly partnered with Pharmacy Business at their 2021 Diversity Conference. You can watch the Conference on demand here, including a panel discussion on LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace, featuring key voices in the sector. (Please note: you will need to create an account to watch the content).