Ed Haywood-Noble, Police Superintendents’ Association Inclusion Representative for LGBTQ+ has shared a blog for Pride Month 2026:
As Pride Month begins, I have been reflecting on why Pride continues to matter.
The first Pride march in the UK, in 1972, was very much a protest. At that time, LGBTQ+ people and communities were subject to widespread discrimination, by society in general, including by the criminal justice system.
Discrimination continued through the dark days of the 1980s, with S28 banning local authorities and schools from teaching about same-sex relationships in a positive way. S28 sparked massive protests. It was not fully repealed until 2003. In the 2000s and 2010s, as inclusion for LGBTQ+ communities improved, Pride evolved into more of a celebration. An opportunity for visibility, and recognition of the progress made over decades by those who fought for equality, dignity and acceptance for LGBTQ+ people.
Sadly, in recent years, the culture wars have marred LGBTQ+ people’s sense of inclusion. Pride is a reminder that our rights can never be taken for granted, and that inclusion requires continuous commitment from all of us.
Recently, Sir Chris Bryant MP spoke powerfully in the House of Commons about the importance of standing up for LGBTQ+ people and resisting attempts to divide communities through fear, misinformation or political convenience. He made the point that progress has never been inevitable, and that gains in equality have been achieved because individuals and institutions chose courage over silence and inclusion over exclusion.
That message resonates strongly within policing. The service is at its best when every colleague feels able to bring their authentic self to work, and every community can trust that they will be treated fairly and their concerns taken seriously.
In a previous speech, Sir Chris said that he now feels less safe as a gay person in the UK, compared to three years ago. Furthermore, this year’s ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map provides an important reminder that progress towards full inclusion cannot be taken for granted. The map, which measures the social, legal and political inclusion for LGBTQ+ people across 49 European countries, places the United Kingdom 22nd in Europe, with a score of 44%. The UK’s position has markedly declined - in 2015, we were top for inclusion, with a score of 66%. What this means is that the UK is now much less inclusive and welcoming for LGBTQ+ people than it was a decade ago. Frankly, this is not something the country can be proud of. (ilga-europe.org).
This backward trend is incredibly worrying for those of us in a position of responsibility for keeping our communities safe and feeling safe. For LGBTQ+ police officers, staff and volunteers, wider public debates about equality and identity are not abstract discussions. They can have a direct impact on wellbeing, confidence and belonging. When rights are questioned, when hostile rhetoric becomes normalised, or when people feel their identities are being debated rather than respected, it affects colleagues in our workplaces and the communities we serve.
The same is true for public confidence. Many LGBTQ+ people, particularly those who remember the 1980s, still carry experiences of discrimination, exclusion or fear. Pride Month provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships, listen to concerns and demonstrate that policing stands alongside communities in creating safer and more inclusive environments for everyone.
As superintendents and senior leaders, we have a particular responsibility to create a culture where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We can do this by challenging inappropriate behaviour when we see it, supporting colleagues who may feel vulnerable, and ensuring that inclusion is woven into the everyday decisions we make.
The values of policing, including fairness, respect and equality, are closely aligned with the principles that Pride represents.
This Pride month, I encourage all superintendents to consider what more we can do to support LGBTQ+ colleagues within our teams, and how we can strengthen trust and confidence with LGBTQ+ communities.
As Pride Month begins, I have been reflecting on why Pride continues to matter.
The first Pride march in the UK, in 1972, was very much a protest. At that time, LGBTQ+ people and communities were subject to widespread discrimination, by society in general, including by the criminal justice system.
Discrimination continued through the dark days of the 1980s, with S28 banning local authorities and schools from teaching about same-sex relationships in a positive way. S28 sparked massive protests. It was not fully repealed until 2003. In the 2000s and 2010s, as inclusion for LGBTQ+ communities improved, Pride evolved into more of a celebration. An opportunity for visibility, and recognition of the progress made over decades by those who fought for equality, dignity and acceptance for LGBTQ+ people.
Sadly, in recent years, the culture wars have marred LGBTQ+ people’s sense of inclusion. Pride is a reminder that our rights can never be taken for granted, and that inclusion requires continuous commitment from all of us.
Recently, Sir Chris Bryant MP spoke powerfully in the House of Commons about the importance of standing up for LGBTQ+ people and resisting attempts to divide communities through fear, misinformation or political convenience. He made the point that progress has never been inevitable, and that gains in equality have been achieved because individuals and institutions chose courage over silence and inclusion over exclusion.
That message resonates strongly within policing. The service is at its best when every colleague feels able to bring their authentic self to work, and every community can trust that they will be treated fairly and their concerns taken seriously.
In a previous speech, Sir Chris said that he now feels less safe as a gay person in the UK, compared to three years ago. Furthermore, this year’s ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map provides an important reminder that progress towards full inclusion cannot be taken for granted. The map, which measures the social, legal and political inclusion for LGBTQ+ people across 49 European countries, places the United Kingdom 22nd in Europe, with a score of 44%. The UK’s position has markedly declined - in 2015, we were top for inclusion, with a score of 66%. What this means is that the UK is now much less inclusive and welcoming for LGBTQ+ people than it was a decade ago. Frankly, this is not something the country can be proud of. (ilga-europe.org).
This backward trend is incredibly worrying for those of us in a position of responsibility for keeping our communities safe and feeling safe. For LGBTQ+ police officers, staff and volunteers, wider public debates about equality and identity are not abstract discussions. They can have a direct impact on wellbeing, confidence and belonging. When rights are questioned, when hostile rhetoric becomes normalised, or when people feel their identities are being debated rather than respected, it affects colleagues in our workplaces and the communities we serve.
The same is true for public confidence. Many LGBTQ+ people, particularly those who remember the 1980s, still carry experiences of discrimination, exclusion or fear. Pride Month provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships, listen to concerns and demonstrate that policing stands alongside communities in creating safer and more inclusive environments for everyone.
As superintendents and senior leaders, we have a particular responsibility to create a culture where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We can do this by challenging inappropriate behaviour when we see it, supporting colleagues who may feel vulnerable, and ensuring that inclusion is woven into the everyday decisions we make.
The values of policing, including fairness, respect and equality, are closely aligned with the principles that Pride represents.
This Pride month, I encourage all superintendents to consider what more we can do to support LGBTQ+ colleagues within our teams, and how we can strengthen trust and confidence with LGBTQ+ communities.