Rocking Rochester!

It was a fabulous day on Saturday 16th August supporting transport industry colleagues on our stand at Medway Pride in Rochester: Southeastern Railway, GTR (Govia Thameslink Railway), Rail Delivery Group, Network Rail, British Transport Police, Rail Unites for Inclusion and of course Journey all representing at this EDI Charter for Rail event. Enormous gratitude in particular to Dr Emma Finnegan from RDG and Sonia Hazel from NR for all their hard work organising the day and pulling the strings to ensure we were there at all.

The volunteers from across the transport sector, plus a four-legged mascot

These local pride events are so important and capture what the pride movement should all be about: seeing the whole spectrum of LGBTQ+ people supported by family members and allies, combined with meaningful and hopefully life-changing engagement. Our main messages were around LGBTQ+ safety using transport - a particular concern flagged by the 'Out in London' report - and the career paths available in the industry, combined with our respective progressive inclusion strategies like Transport for London's 'Action on Inclusion' that ensure that we are safe and welcoming places to work. 

Rochester Castle looking splendid with a Progress Pride flag

If just one person we spoke to decides to apply for a role in the industry, or felt reassured enough to use public transport when previously they wouldn't, it was all worthwhile. Thanks again to Emma, Sonia, and all of the other wonderful volunteers who made it such an enjoyable day.