Why Pride matters at the Sanger Institute

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The first official UK Pride march took place in London on 1 July 1972. Over 50 years later, people across the LGBTQ+ and ally communities are celebrating another month of Pride. Pride Month commemorates the years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and others community. It recognises the achievements made thus far and raises awareness of the challenges still to be faced.

This year, LGBTQ+ rights charity, Stonewall, released new research revealing that nearly 40 per cent of LGBTQ+ employees in the UK still feel they need to hide the fact that they are LGBTQ+ at work.¹ In addition, over a quarter of employees noted experiencing negative comments about their identity from colleagues or clients.¹ These statistics reinforce that more still needs to be done.

At the Wellcome Sanger Institute, observing Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate our diversity, reflect on ongoing challenges and renew our collective commitment to equity. By elevating LGBTQ+ voices and experiences not only during this month, but all year-round, we can help lead the way in building a more inclusive society – one where everyone, regardless of identity, feels they belong.

We spoke with Linda Grootegoed, Project Support Officer in the Portfolio Delivery Team at the Sanger Institute, to discuss what Pride Month means to her, the importance of the Wellcome Genome Campus LGBTQ+ Network and how we all can better support this community.

For me, Pride Month represents joyful gatherings that celebrate community whilst promoting equality and inclusion. This month the LGBTQ+ Campus Network has organised four events for people to gather in person or online.

Personally, I recently attended my first Pride march since I officially came out three years ago. I am excited and the idea of attending feels like being enveloped by a warm hug. Where I live, being a member of the LGBTQ+ community can feel lonely, so being surrounded by people where I do not need to fear judgement and can be my authentic self is freeing.

The Network’s main goals span cross-Campus community building, advocacy and awareness. These include creating safe spaces for discussing experiences, advocating for policy improvements, organising events to raise awareness, supporting personal and professional journeys, connecting people to resources, and embedding inclusivity across Campus.

Activism remains necessary until all people can authentically express their identities in public, without judgement, fear of violence, and micro-aggressions. The Network creates a voice for improving inclusivity as well as a cross-Campus space for the community to meet.

It is important to engage in conversation, ask questions, understand the challenges, educate yourself and don’t assume that you know anyone’s sexual orientation, gender identity or preference. It is often small things that can make a difference, such as wearing a Pride badge to indicate you are an ally or trying to always use inclusive language when talking to someone. Resources into LGBTQ+ history, terminology and inclusion can be found on the Stonewall website.

The Sanger Institute funds and supports the LGBTQ+ Network, which organises events across Campus. It also has a transgender inclusion policy, a robust dignity at work policy, and mandatory equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and active bystander training for all new starters.

There is a lot but here are some suggestions:

Books –

• How to Survive a Plague: The Story of How Activists and Scientists Tamed AIDS by David France
• We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation by Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown
• Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page
• You Will Get Through This Night by Daniel Howell
• The Queer Parent: Everything You Need to Know From Gay to Ze By Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley

Film and TV –

• The Imitation Game (2014)
• Call Me by Your Name (2017)
• Carol (2015)
• Moonlight (2016)
• The L Word: Generation Q (2020–2023)

At the Sanger Institute, Pride Month reminds us of our shared responsibility to build inclusive spaces for learning and work. As we recognise Pride, let us remember that true inclusion goes beyond words and beyond just one month a year. It is built through daily actions, policies and leadership choices. Let us all commit to creating a workplace where everyone – regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation – feels safe, supported and empowered.