Pride Network
The Pride Network aims to create an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities, promoting LGBTQ+ equality, visibility, and well-being. Our purpose is to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, celebrate the diverse identities within the community, and foster a culture of inclusion.
The purpose and goals of this network is to:
- Promote the latest information regarding LGBTQ+: Regularly update and promote content relevant to raising awareness on LGBTQ+ issues and celebrations. Review and recommend improvements to website content, online resources, and BIOS policies to enhance accessibility and visibility of equality in LGBTQ+.
- Provide Support and Resources for BIOS Members and Leadership: Offer guidance and resources to BIOS members, leadership, and teams to foster a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, ensuring best practices for inclusion, accessibility, and mental well-being.
- Raise Awareness of LGBTQ+ Through Inclusive Communication Channels: Utilise diverse communication platforms to educate and inform on LGBTQ+ topics, raise awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, and celebrate their contributions to the orthoptic profession.
- Establish Measures to Track Impact of the Diversity Network: Develop and implement metrics to evaluate the network’s impact, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability in advancing LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion.
Network activities will include:
- Meetings: Hold regular meetings to bring together Diversity Champions and Leads, discussing LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives based on a pre-set agenda. Progress will be recorded, and achievements will be reported against agreed actions and diversity objectives.
- Awareness Campaigns: Plan and execute campaigns to highlight important EDI calendar dates relevant to the Pride Network, such as ‘Pride Month’ and ‘International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia,’ alongside other key LGBTQ+ dates.
- Ideas and Initiatives: Provide a platform for network members to share and coordinate new ideas and initiatives to tackle challenges, address emerging issues, and develop practical solutions to promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity across BIOS.
- Success Stories: Share inspiring stories of LGBTQ+ individuals within the network to motivate others, highlighting best practices and initiatives that could be replicated in other orthoptic departments.
- Resource and Communication Management: Stay informed on relevant topics to keep communications and resources up to date, including website content, online resources, diversity calendars, social media, and email communications.
- Support: Collaborate as a group to review newly reported issues or queries shared by BIOS members through the EDI Lead to provide targeted support from within the diversity network. Serve as an advisor to BIOS on upcoming communications, event planning, and other relevant initiatives.
- Reporting: Provide regular updates to the EDI Lead on progress toward key objectives, highlighting emerging challenges, the proactive steps being taken to address them, and success stories from within the diversity network.
Toolkit for Managing Diversity Meetings
- Agenda template and Action Log
- Report template
- EDI Calendar
- Faith Calendar
- Social Media examples
- BIOS templates
- Access to BIOS email address