Celebrating Pride Month – and Beyond

June marks the beginning of Pride Month, a powerful time to recognise and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.  

Connected Voice are and will always be a fully inclusive and welcoming organisation. Championing and supporting LGBTQIA+ causes and voices in Newcastle and Gateshead (and further afield) is something we do as part of our mission. 

This is not new for us. Historically, we have worked to champion the LGBTQIA+ community, including working Pride on Tyne in 2000, which was set up to run a range of community-based cultural activities, including an annual Pride festival for LGBTQIA+ communities. We supported them with their governance and developing a constitution, which was adopted in 2001.

But – especially in times of change and instability - we recognise how important it is to deliberately mark this time to show our support and allyship for LGBTQIA+ organisations, groups, and individuals. We will always be there to offer support and guidance, and to amplify the voices of local the LGBTQIA+ community.  

Throughout June, we use our rainbow logo as a signal of this allyship. However, our continued support goes beyond a colourful change:  

• Our Support and Development (S&D) team advise on regular funding advice and opportunities to support LGBTQIA+ organisations, helping them to grow and thrive.  

• The S&D team also support organisations in networking and partnership work through events like our Funding Fair, regular networking events, and our free training sessions.  

• Our expert advocacy service supports LGBTQIA+ individuals to uphold their rights and to tackle hate. 

• We regularly highlight the work of LGBTQIA+ organisations in our communications, including social media and e-newsletters, encouraging participation and using our channels to amplify voice and share events, research, and opportunities.  

• As an organisation, we strive to ensure our staff and trustee body are made up of people from a range of communities, including the LGBTQIA+ community, to make sure that our work is inclusive and impactful. We anonymously monitor this, to see where we can improve. Regular EDI training is also a key part of our staff and trustee development.  

Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing events, stories, action, and joy from our local LGBTQIA+ organisations. 

We hope that you will join us in celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community this Pride Month – and beyond. 

If your organisation could benefit from our support, please do not hesitate to get in touch at connect@connectedvoice.org.uk