Our first presence at Pride

At SeeAbility, we will not settle for a future without change. Our commitment to equity, diversity and belonging sits at the heart of this ambition. It inspires us to embrace and celebrate the potential of every person we support and every colleague. 

This year, with the support of our proud sponsor RPC, SeeAbility will be attending Pride in London for the first time, to celebrate our colleagues and people we support. 

Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, diversity, and contribution of people with disabilities in the LGBTQAI+ community, while also acknowledging the ongoing intersectional challenges.

Why is Pride important to us? 

Pride is crucial for several reasons, particularly for people who identify as LGBTQAI+ and have a disability. Here's why and what we would like to achieve at Pride: 

Celebrating intersectionality

Intersectionality is the understanding that people have lots of different parts to who they are. These different parts can often mean that someone faces challenges in many aspects of life. For example, if someone has a disability and they are LGBTQAI+, they might face challenges than someone who is LGBTQAI+ might not.  
Pride allows us to acknowledge and celebrate the intersection of disability and sexuality. LGBTQAI+ people with disabilities often face unique challenges and barriers to inclusion. We do not see many LGBTQAI+ people with disabilities in the media, literature, and public discourse. 

SeeAbility believes it is essential to recognise and raise awareness of intersecting identities to ensure everyone feels valued and represented within the LGBTQAI+ community.

Challenging stereotypes and stigma

Pride events serve as platforms to raise awareness about the discrimination faced by people with disabilities that are part of the LGBTQAI+ community. We want to raise awareness of this and shed light on the harsh realities many people face due to their intersecting identities. 

Inclusivity and accessibility

LGBTQAI+ spaces should be inclusive for everyone, regardless of their disabilities. Unfortunately, many LGBTQAI+ people with disabilities feel left out or "othered" within mainstream LGBTQAI+ spaces leading to social isolation. We aim to raise awareness of this to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the community. 

Rhian, SeeAbility’s Colleague Pride Network Chair commented:

“I’m so excited to attend Pride this year and represent SeeAbility and the Pride Network. This marks a significant milestone for us as a charity as we continue to develop a truly inclusive culture. I have never felt so proud to represent SeeAbility and the people we support!”

RPC supporting SeeAbility at London Pride 2024 

SeeAbility has secured 50 places for London Pride on June 29. This will be our first appearance at this iconic event, where we'll proudly be joined by the people we support and colleagues from across our charity. However, we recognise the importance of our presence going beyond just attendance. 

We aim to raise awareness and make a meaningful impact, especially as one of the few disability charities represented. To ensure our participation is as impactful as possible, we are partnering with international law firm, RPC. 

RPC is recognised for its continued commitment to inclusion, diversity, and belonging. The firm culture thrives on the principles of trust and respect, making it clear that diversity and inclusion are important parts of its identity. We are excited to work closely with colleagues at RPC.

RPC commented:

“We're thrilled to be supporting SeeAbility at London Pride! We know those who have a disability and are LGBTQAI+ often have limited access to wider opportunities when it comes to celebrating Pride month. Our LGBTQAI+ community, RPC RAIN, is keen to support and shine a light on the intersection of disability and LGBTQAI+ to encourage connections, celebrations and raise awareness for the need for increased accessibility and support.”

Pride serves as a vital platform for raising awareness, challenging discrimination, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for the rights and dignity of LGBTQAI+ people with disabilities. 

Join us in making history at London Pride as we champion diversity, inclusion, and empowerment for all.