The RCP is rolling out new rainbow lanyards for employees and members to support the LGBTQ+ community.
From this week onwards the RCP is introducing new rainbow lanyards to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. The lanyards, put forward as an idea by a number of RCP members including the Trainees Committee, have been produced in support of the NHS Rainbow Badge initiative.
Lanyards are being introduced for staff at all-staff meetings in Liverpool (Monday 28 October) and London (today), and the RCP Trainees Committee will be the first member recipients of the new lanyard at their meeting today. At the next RCP Council meeting, RCP members will be able to pick up their lanyards, and they will be made available to fellows and members over the coming months at regional updates and other meetings.
A 2019 Stonewall survey of workplaces found that almost one in five LGBTQ+ staff has been the target of negative comments or conduct from work colleagues in the last year because they’re LGBTQ+, and more than a third of LGBTQ+ staff (35 per cent) have hidden or disguised that they are LGBTQ+ at work in the last year because they were afraid of discrimination.
Registrar Professor Donal O’Donoghue who is the senior officer leading the RCP’s efforts to be more inclusive said: "Wearing the rainbow lanyard is a personal choice and aims to show solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities, sending an important message to colleagues and visitors about our support."
"Embracing this initiative is part of our growing efforts to be more inclusive and mindful of all Equality Act protected characteristics. Our new E,D&I project is committed to improving diversity and inclusivity for all and you can read more about that here on our E,D&I project review website page."
