Professor Paul Johnson, the University’s LGBT+ Champion, highlights the importance of supporting each other and having pride in ourselves and each other.
Professor Paul Johnson, University LGBT+ Champion, talks about the vital importance of supporting each other and having pride in ourselves and each other.
Stigma is corrosive to human life. Everyone who belongs to a minority group knows the misery and harm that can result from individuals being stigmatised, and LGBT+ people are no exception to this.
The stigmatisation of people because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity takes many different forms. It takes form in the doctrines of some organised religions, which tell LGBT+ people that they are disordered and sinful. It takes form in laws which seek to repress and limit their lives. It takes form in political discourse, through which some politicians seek to denigrate LGBT+ people through the use of negative stereotypes.
LGBT+ people in the UK are currently experiencing a battery of attempts to stigmatise them. There has been a rise in despicable hatred directed at LGBT+ people by those who wish to curtail the lives and rights of LGBT+ individuals.
Europe’s foremost human rights organisation, the Council of Europe, recently condemned with particular force the extensive and often virulent attacks on the rights of LGBT+ people in the UK.
It is not hyperbole to say that the deep-rooted and institutionalised homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in our society are being marshalled by those who hate LGBT+ people to falsely portray them in various ways as deviant or dangerous.
This stigmatisation fuels prejudice and discrimination and casts a shadow over the everyday lives of LGBT+ people.
Thankfully, LGBT+ people have developed a powerful shield against this: it’s called Pride. Pride is the way in which LGBT+ people affirm their inherent dignity and their inalienable rights and freedoms. Pride is the ever constant light in the darkness of prejudice and hatred. Pride is the expression, the fabulous expression, of a defiance of discrimination and an insistence on equality. Pride is the flag flown in the face of bigotry and the symbol that LGBT+ people will always endure and prevail.
As the University’s LGBT+ Champion, I am full of pride for our LGBT+ community. Our very large community of LGBT+ staff and students makes an amazing and valuable contribution across every part of our university. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this fantastic community of wonderful people.
Yet I know that, at the moment, many LGBT+ people in our community are anxious and fearful. And I understand why. At this difficult time, it is vital to remember the importance of supporting each other. Throughout our community, we need to live our university values - collaboration, compassion, inclusivity, and integrity - and ensure that we lift each other up. The antidote to anxiety and fear is the pride that we have in ourselves and for each other.
For my part, I will continue to champion LGBT+ people’s interests across our university. I will work with members of the University Executive Group to maintain our absolute commitment to an inclusive community underpinned by a culture of dignity and mutual respect. And I will work with colleagues, including the LGBT+ Staff Network, to continue to ensure that all people in our community are protected from discrimination and harassment on grounds of sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
I know this is a difficult and challenging time. But all LGBT+ people in our university should know that they belong to a community which values, supports and is proud of them. Proud today and proud every day.