Every June, the LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies come together to celebrate Pride month.
This year, the theme for Pride in London is #WeAreEverywhere and shines a light on the presence of London’s LGBTQ+ community, and the power they have to be drivers of change by living authentically and without apology.
As an organisation, we stand for diversity and inclusion. We know that many LGBTQIA+ people still face challenges in the form of stigma, harassment and discrimination, which can have an impact on their physical and mental health. This Pride month we are sharing information and resources from some of our Partnerships programmes and other organisations, that can help support Londoners with their health and wellbeing.
Looking after your sexual health
Tackling HIV stigma
This year, the Fast-Track Cities London team will join Positively UK as part of a walking group within the London Pride Parade on 29 June, supporting communities living with HIV in London and beyond.
Fast-Track Cities is part of a global movement to end HIV by 2030, and is working to end new cases of HIV and preventable deaths, as well as to tackle stigma and improve the lives of people living with HIV. Part of this work is helping to spread the message that if you have HIV and you’re on treatment, you can’t pass it on.
In April 2023, Fast-Track Cities supported the launch of London’s first HIV Confident Charter to tackle stigma and discrimination in frontline public services, and in society. Organisations sign up to the charter to access training, support with HIV policies, tools to report stigma, and a staff survey. Once this is successfully completed, they are awarded an HIV Confident Charter mark. The charter was developed by the National AIDS Trust, NAM aidsmap and Positively UK, working with the HIV sector.
On World Aids Day 2023, the Mayor of London became a founding member of this Charter.
Getting tested regularly
Everyone living in London should prioritise their sexual and reproductive health, and if you’re sexually active, it’s recommended that you test for STIs regularly.
Sexually transmitted infections continue to rise in England, with a significant increase of 7.5% for gonorrhoea. The impact of STIs remains greatest in young people aged 15 to 24 years, gay bisexual and other men who have sex with men and some minority ethnic groups.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent long term health complications and prevent the spread of infections within the community.
Sexual Health London offers a free STI testing service across most of London. Simply register with SHL.UK and complete an online consultation to order your free STI test kit. For more advice on sexual and reproductive health, visit the NHS website.
Further information and support can also be found at:
Looking after your mental wellbeing
Mental health problems such as depression or self-harm can affect any of us, but statistics often tell us that these issues are more common among people who are LGBTQIA+. This may be linked to experiences of discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, bullying or social isolation.
Good Thinking
Good Thinking offers all Londoners free, NHS-approved digital resources to look after their mental health and wellbeing in a way that works for them. Good Thinking resources are created by Londoners, for Londoners, to support people to tackle anxiety, stress, low mood, sleep problems and other mental health concerns.
The service works with communities, organisations and charities across the city to create tailored, impactful support, including personal stories from Londoners about their own mental health experiences.
In a blog post for Good Thinking, MIRI, a musician and member of the Speakers Collective, shared her experience of her mental health challenges, her sexuality and the support that she received.
Thrive LDN
Getting Through This Together is a collective campaign from Thrive LDN which aims to encourage Londoners to strengthen their social networks with family members and friends, and trusted others in their community. It also highlights the professional support and advice services which are available.
The campaign aims to help Londoners to build resilience – individually but also collectively, and there are lots of resources that can be downloaded to share the message across communities.
Supporting young LGBTQ+ Londoners
Our Schools Mental Health Toolkit offers a library of content that is representative of LGBTQ+ communities and experiences.
It also provides information on organisations who are there to support young people who may be struggling with their mental health.
Happy Pride to everyone celebrating!
On a final note, we handover to the Fast Track Cities London team and friends to remind us why celebrating Pride is so, so important.