Progress Pride Badges

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Our Progress Pride Badges help our staff to show that Guy’s and St Thomas’ provides open, non-judgemental and inclusive care for patients who identify as LGBT+.

The badge signals that the wearer is someone you can talk to about issues of sexuality and gender identity. They are there to listen, respond without judgement, and get support for you if you need it.

LGBT+ refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities – and the + simply means that we are inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities, regardless of how people define themselves.

The new badge design builds on the NHS Rainbow Badge project that began at Evelina London in 2019 to promote a message of inclusion for patients who identify as LGBT+. The Trust remains part of the NHS Rainbow Badge project, which is now a national assessment and accreditation model allowing NHS Trusts to demonstrate their commitment to reducing barriers to healthcare for LGBT+ people. 

Our commitment

Our Progress Pride Badges are an important part of our commitment to being an inclusive organisation where everyone is treated with dignity and respect regardless of sexuality or gender identity.

The new design

The new design updates the 6-striped rainbow flag with the Progress Pride flag to better represent the many identities within the LGBT+ community – including trans, non-binary, intersex people, and people of the global majority.

A close up of the Progress Pride badge that has 5 arrow-shaped lines to the left of a 6-coloured rainbow flag, as well as a field of yellow and purple circle. The word NHS is in the middle of the badge.

The flag, created by Portland artist Daniel Quasar, incorporates new colours and symbols that have come to represent the many – and often underrepresented – identities within the LGBT+ community:

  • white, pink, and light blue stripes to represent the trans and non-binary community
  • black and brown stripes to represent LGBT+ people of the global majority
  • the black stripe has a double meaning as it is also intended for those living with AIDS and the stigma and prejudice surrounding them, and those who have been lost to the disease

The arrows pointing right symbolise forward movement and progress – and in 2021, Valentino Vecchietti added a field of yellow and purple circle to represent the intersex community.

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