NHS trust embroiled in trans row sends Pride calendar to staff
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has come under fire for producing the item which celebrates 'polyamory' and 'pansexuality'.
Eight nurses are suing the trust for sexual discrimination and sexual harassment after opposing a decision to let Rose Henderson, who was born male, use women-only facilities.
The nurse, who was born male, lives as a woman but does not have a gender recognition certificate (GRC) and therefore has not legally changed sex.
NHS England has since intervened in their case, telling Darlington Memorial Hospital to act 'with speed' to provide male, female and gender-neutral changing rooms.
However, the decision to send out a Pride calendar has stoked more speculation about the trust's priorities.
The Times reports the digital document, which is 36 pages long, was sent out on June 2 and marks a different theme for each day of the month.
One of them is 'safe spaces', alongside flags for those who are gay, lesbian, polyamorous, asexual, bisexual, transgender or a 'straight ally'.
Drag is another theme scheduled for celebration, with a picture of Dame Edna Everage, played by the late comedian Barry Humphries.
Works by 'prevalent LGBTQ+ authors' like Oscar Wilde and James Baldwin are also recommended in the document alongside a list of LGBTQ+ films.
Sexuality being 'forced on' staff
The Times reports the calendar was produced by the trust's LGBTQ+ network.
But it has been labelled 'divisive' by some staff, as one female hospital employee told the newspaper: 'Why should an individual's sexuality or kinks be not only brought into the workplace but actively promoted and forced on staff?
'Following the Supreme Court ruling, it is incredibly insensitive and hostile to be trying to 'educate' staff on these issues.
'This exposes that County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has an extreme agenda and are keen to be seen as 'inclusive' while continuing to exclude women and ignoring their rights to basic dignity.'
A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: 'The calendar was developed and shared internally, during June which is nationally recognised as Pride Month, as part of the work led by our LGBTQ+ staff network, using time allocated through our staff network group framework.
'It is part of a wider programme of activity throughout the year which includes marking a range of national and international recognition days and public awareness campaigns.
'The calendar was intended to be a supportive, optional resource for staff. It was shared in a gentle and non-directive way, with no call to action. As an organisation, we are committed to creating a workplace where all colleagues feel safe, supported and respected.'
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