Herts Pride 2019!

On Saturday 31st August we had the pleasure of spending the day at Herts Pride. at Cassiobury Park in Watford. It proved a huge success with over 2,500 people from inside and outside Hertfordshire attending!
Pride Event

The Herts Pride Festival

Now into its sixth year, Herts Pride is an annual festival organised by Hertfordshire LGBTQ+ Health and Wellbeing CIC which celebrates inclusivity and diversity, and taking pride in who we are as a community. The event champions our vibrant communities in Hertfordshire and strives to promote equality through raising awareness, challenging prejudice and discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and ensuring that their rights and needs are both addressed and represented across the county.

Herts Pride was a fantastic event, with a variety of market stalls, food vans, fairground rides, a dog show and a circus tent featuring live entertainment and performances by a range of incredible artists and drag queens!

Our stall was based in the Health and Wellbeing tent, a place for attendees to access information and advice from various organisations such as Age UK, HPFT and CLCH Sexual Health Services to name just a few.

I do worry when I seek sexual health advice as it is assumed I am straight.
Mental health services tend to offer support for LGBT people

Person attending event

On the day

We had the opportunity to speak to a whole range of people, sharing with them information about Healthwatch Hertfordshire, who we are and how we are helping to improve health and social care services in Hertfordshire. This is in addition to hearing from the public about their experiences of health and social care services.

As part of this, we carried out a short survey which gave us a quick snapshot of public views, providing insight into people’s experiences and potential barriers when accessing health or social care services. The survey asked the question:

“Have you ever felt worried about sharing your gender identity or sexual orientation when accessing health or social care services?”

Some results from our survey

In total, 55 people completed our survey. Of those who identify as transgender or LGBTQ+ (34), 62% said that they worry or have worried about disclosing their gender identity or sexual orientation to a health or social care professional recently. Reasons included, fear that health or social care services would stereotype, judge or not accept them for who they are; a worry that the information would be shared without them knowing and impact negatively on them. Comments relating to this were: “I was worried it would get back to my parents” and “I thought it would impact on my ability to adopt.” People also noted they think health and social care professionals often automatically presume they are cisgender or heterosexual, preventing them from discussing their gender identity or sexual orientation.

For the other 38%, they stated this was not an issue for them because they think health and social care services are there to support them, and are often approachable and accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. Specifically, one person praised mental health services in Hertfordshire: “Mental health services tend to offer support for LGBT people.”

In contrast, of those who identify as heterosexual or cisgender (21), 100% said this was not an issue, primarily because they are represented in society, meaning they do not fear discrimination from health or social care services.

In summary, it was a memorable day for all involved, probably for very different reasons. We learnt a lot…and most importantly we met lots of amazing people and talked to lots of great services about what they do.

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to come and chat with us, and have also signed up as a member. Thank you also to Herts Pride for a brilliant day! See you next year!