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Everyone is welcome at Carnival UK however they identify

Spectrum, Carnival UK’s LGBT+ & Friends employee-led network, supports belonging and inclusion by championing, challenging and celebrating the LGBT+ agenda. Encouraging colleagues to be curious, we drive allyship to promote positive change across Carnival UK and the communities we are a part of, creating a feeling of belonging for everyone.

LGBT+ resources

Impartial LGBT+ news site

UK LGBT+ rights charity

LGBT+ helpline

Policy documents

Latest news

From advising and supporting the business on inclusive policy changes, to spotlighting LGBT+ inequality issues, and driving headline sponsorship of Southampton Pride, read our news stories to find out more about what we do.

Want to get involved?

Join our Facebook group Spectrum @ Carnival UK or email us at LGBTnetwork@carnivalukgroup.com

How you can be an ally

Educate and Empower yourself: Doing some research, reading up online and learning a little more about the LGBT+ community is a great place to start. Even if you’re part of the community, find out about people whose orientation or gender identity differs to your own. Getting the language right can sometimes feel intimidating, so why not start with Stonewall’s glossary of terms?

Listen & Learn: As allies, and colleagues who Respect and Protect one another; we have to be able to Listen and Learn, ask how someone is doing and be aware that other people’s lives and experiences will be completely different to our own, especially in terms of discrimination and prejudice. Remember that just because someone has come out to you, they might not be out to everyone. Be respectful of each other and enjoy learning about all the differences and diversity in the communities around us

Share your pronouns: Gender pronouns are how we identify ourselves and how we refer to others, for example ‘they’, ‘he’ or ‘she’. By an ally by sharing your pronouns, and recognising the pronouns of your colleagues. Even if you are cisgender (cis) –  your gender identity matches your sex assigned at birth – we need your support to start normalising the practice of sharing pronouns. By doing this you’ll help others accept that everyone is unique, and we should never make the default assumption that someone uses a ‘she’ or ‘he’ pronoun. Find out more about pronouns here.

It’s really important though, to remember that sharing pronouns is a personal choice and we must respect the decision of colleagues who choose not to do so.

Be visible and Speak Up: Be loud, visible and proud. We want as many positive messages out there as possible. When you hear people making negative comments or using hurtful or abusive language towards LGBT+ people, Speak Up and challenge it, if safe to do so. If it’s online, report it. You might not always have all the answers or know exactly what to say and that’s OK. Here are some tips to think about:

  • Keep calm and explain why bullying is wrong
  • Try saying something like, ‘Stop, this is wrong’ and explain why
  • Make sure you stay safe and don’t put yourself in danger
  • Check the person being bullied is OK
  • Encourage them to report it

Being an ally goes beyond just LGBT+

It’s important to remember that people have lots of different elements to their identities – someone might be bi and also a person of colour (PoC), or trans and Catholic, gay and disabled, non-binary and dealing with a mental health issue. This may mean they suffer multiple levels of discrimination in their life. Being an ally is about listening to and learning from someone else’s experiences and showing your support for them.

Key dates in UK LGBT+ history

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2023

Census data reveals LGBT+ populations for first time

2023

The UK government announce there will be a new law to ban all forms of conversion therapy in England and Wales that will include practices aimed at transgender people.

2022

The UK Government announced its intention to ban conversion therapy for sexual orientation but not for transgender people.

2021

The ban preventing any men who have had sex with other men in the last three months from giving blood is lifted ending decades of restrictions based on sexual orientation.

2021

On 11 May, the UK Government announce launch of consultation into how to end Conversion Therapy; practices that aim to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity

2020

On 13 January same-sex marriage is legalised in Northern Ireland

2014

It becomes legal for same-sex partners to marry — on 26 March in England & Wales and on 31 December in Scotland

2010

The Equality Act is passed, which legally bans the discrimination of homosexuality

2009

Law passed making it easier for same-sex couples to be recognised as the legal parents of their child.

2005

The first LGBT+ History Month is launched at the Tate Modern in London

2004

Civil partnerships are legalised, offering same-sex couples the same legal standing as married heterosexuals, and the Gender Recognition Act is passed, allowing people the legal right to change their gender from the one assigned to them at birth

2003

Section 28 is repealed across the rest of the UK and the Government passes legislation giving LGBT+ people employment rights.

2002

Same-sex couples are granted equal rights when applying for adoption

2001

The age of consent for gay men is further lowered to 16

2000

Section 28 – a clause that outlawed the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in schools – is repealed in Scotland. The UK Government lifts the ban on lesbians, gay men and bisexual people serving in the armed forces

1994

The age of consent for gay men is lowered from 21 to 18

1988

Prompted by the introduction of Section 28, Sir Ian McKellen and others launch Stonewall in order to lobby against Section 28 and other barriers to equality. Carnival UK is a member of the Stonewall Global Diversity Champions Programme

1982

Northern Ireland decriminalises homosexuality

1980

Scotland decriminalises homosexuality.

1972

The first Pride march takes place in London, attracting around 2000 participants. Today there are local Pride events all across the country. Cunard and P&O Cruises are headline sponsors of Southampton Pride

Tom Driscoll is lead for Spectrum, with the support of an active member group from across the business for key events and activities.

“For a long time I kept my personal and professional life separate and I think that was because I wasn’t completely comfortable being my whole self at work. Now, as lead of Spectrum, Carnival UK’s LGBT+ & friends network, I’m proud to be championing the LGBT+ community at every opportunity.” Tom Driscoll, Lead, Spectrum

Spectrum is looking for new leads! If you’re interested, email rosy.elstone@carnivalukgroup.com

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