ELFT LGBTQ+ Network left its mark on the ‘biggest ever’ Pride in 50-year history. 

The Trust’s LGBTQ+ Network brought an eruption of colour to the streets of central London on 2 July for the annual Pride parade, the biggest since 1972. 

The parade – which was attended by over a million LGBTQ+ people and allies – was the first  since the pandemic and marked the 50th anniversary of the first ever Pride organised by the Gay Liberation Front.  

The march started in Marble Arch at noon and ended in Trafalgar Square in the evening. 

ELFT’s LGBTQ+ Network Leader, Fiona Lord, described the event as:  

“A BIG deal for our community to share who we are and be visible on the Trust’s bus, marching together around celebrating our wonderful differences.” 

David Stevens, Director of Estates for the Trust, and Pride attendee said: 

“We are here today because it is important to get out and celebrate who we are and the advances that we have made, look out for our brothers and sisters, and more importantly think about those who are still currently under persecution for who they are, their background and their sexuality. We should never forget that”. 

“ELFT is one of the most inclusive and embracing employers I have ever worked for, and it is really good for all of us across the Trust to come out and show support for each other and show how inclusive we are” – he added. 

The Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Trans and Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) staff network provides support to staff, organises events and advises the Trust on the development of services and policies to address inequalities that affect the LGBTQ+ community. 

The Network aims to empower all employees to step up as LGBTQ+ allies and improve the workplace culture for everyone within the Trust. It promotes a better understanding of LGBTQ+ inclusion and makes LGBTQ+ experiences more visible in the wider Trust by giving LGBTQ+ colleagues a critical voice and ensuring that LGBTQ+ inclusion is embedded across the Trust. 

The LGBTQ+ Network can be found on Twitter.