Celebrating everyone under the rainbow

The RMH staff marched alongside their fellow health services in a show of celebration, support and solidarity with LGBTIQA+ staff, allies and community.

“The Midsumma March is a great day for us to celebrate our wonderful rainbow community of staff, patients and consumers,” LGBTIQA+ Liaison Tegan Murnane (she/they) said.

“It is also an important way for us to commemorate the first Pride March and the community who paved the way and gave voices to generations of LGBTIQA+ people,”We’re so proud to be able to come together and be part of this incredible atmosphere

LGBTIQA+ Patient Liaison Connor Gryffydd  (they/them) said it was a celebration for staff as well as the community.

“We’re very lucky to have a great bunch of committed LGBTIQA+ staff and allies at the RMH who help champion inclusion,” Connor said.

“Midsumma really brings everyone together and shines a light on that work.”

The RMH’s LGBTIQA+ Patient Liaison Service was believed to be the first of its kind in an Australian hospital and offers support to patients and their loved ones during hospital care. The service is one way the RMH has committed to advancing health for everyone under the rainbow.

The RMH has also worked with the Zoe Belle Gender Collective to create a transgender and gender diverse inclusive-care guide for healthcare professionals and has an active LGBTQIA+ staff and allies committee who continue to champion inclusion.

Working closely with our Parkville precinct hospitals, including the Royal Women’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Children’s Hospital, the RMH updated its electronic medical system to allow patients to record their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The RMH also has a LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Action Plan in place to continue building a great place to work and receive care for our rainbow community.

Find out more about these initiatives on our Welcoming LGBTIQA+ people page.