{"id":9111,"date":"2022-06-01T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-01T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=9111"},"modified":"2026-03-10T16:25:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T16:25:05","slug":"pride-at-sense","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/about-us\/pride-at-sense\/","title":{"rendered":"Pride at Sense"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group  align-full  margin-bottom-3xl\">\t\t<div class=\"wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n\t<div class=\"banner    is-style-  banner--over-right  align-full\">\t\t<div class=\"banner__wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"banner__flex\">\n\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"banner__figure\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SensePride_May25-43-1-1800x700.jpg\" class=\"banner__img\" alt=\"Photo of Sense staff and allies walking at the Birmingham Pride Parade\" \/> \t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"banner__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<p class=\"is-style-intro\">Everyone should be able to live with a sense of pride. And at Sense, everything we do is about making sure no one is left out of life. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group  \">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group  \">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/PrideDisco_May24-41-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52681\" style=\"width:447px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/PrideDisco_May24-41-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/PrideDisco_May24-41-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/PrideDisco_May24-41-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/PrideDisco_May24-41-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/PrideDisco_May24-41-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/PrideDisco_May24-41-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/PrideDisco_May24-41-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/PrideDisco_May24-41-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-intro\">This Pride month, we\u2019re celebrating the LGBTQ+ community \u2013 and empowering the people we support to be their authentic, independent selves. Everyone should be able to live with a sense of pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To kick off the celebrations, we hosted a Pride Sensory Disco at TouchBase Pears, in Selly Oak, Birmingham. We had over 25 disabled people with complex needs dancing their way through the night. Accompanied by vibrant sensory lights, rainbow flags, tinsel and a\u00a0pride-themed playlist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We followed that up by attending Birmingham&#8217;s Pride event. We walked at the front of the parade procession with Birmingham Pride\u2019s Mobilise Group. We wanted&nbsp;everyone at Sense, including volunteers and people we support to know, to they can participate in something that is accessible and&nbsp;inclusive.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group    align-wide  margin-bottom-4xl  clearfix\">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-textured-secondary-tint-10 is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;It is so important to organise events like this, for people to express themselves, make connections and feel part of something bigger.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>Robyn, Co-chair of our Sense LGBTQ+ Network<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stories of Pride<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch to hear these inspirational stories about being LGBTQ+ and disabled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"My life as a deafblind drag king | Pride month\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PKVkmIiWN0w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/my-life-as-a-deafblind-drag-king-video-descriptive-transcript\/\">Read the descriptive transcript for this video.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group  align-full\">\t\t<div class=\"wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<div class=\"grid  grid-flexbox  grid-3-cols\"><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Jeffie_crop-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/queer-disabled-couple-ableism-homophobia-pride\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              As a queer, disabled couple, my partner and I face ableism and homophobia combined when we go out together\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tIn this blog for Pride Month, Jeffie explains how her queer, disabled relationship has opened her eyes to the ways homophobia and ableism intersect.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/AC11FA55-3EE6-429E-A60E-535D36185A31-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"An unsmiling face featuring white foundation, blue and grey highlights and tinted glasses holds a ring that is shining harsh white light onto their face. On their chest, they have &#039;they\/them&#039; tattooed twice.\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/my-life-as-a-deafblind-drag-king\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              My life as a deafblind drag king\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tMax explains how being a deafblind drag king affects their performances.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/IMG_20210820_1729592-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"Tracy, a white woman with long brown hair, is standing holding a vanilla ice cream. Someone else, who we can&#039;t see, is holding a strawberry ice creamwith a chocolate flake. She&#039;s standing in front of a river with a big old bridge over it. The weather is grey, but Tracy looks like she&#039;s having fun.\" style=\"object-position: 67.60% 46.22%;\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/how-sense-supports-people-with-complex-needs-to-explore-their-sexuality-and-gender-identity\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              Supporting people to explore their sexuality and gender identity\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tTracy shares how she and other Sense sexuality and relationships advisers support adults with complex needs with their identity.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/connor-social-card-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"Connor stands against a grey wall facing the camera. He is in his twenties with short brown hair and wears a navy-blue suit over a white t-shirt and white trainers.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/connor-social-card-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/connor-social-card-800x400.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/coming-out-as-transgender-has-been-shaped-by-my-blindness\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              Coming out as transgender has been shaped by my blindness\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tThis Pride month, Connor explains the unique challenges of being both blind and transgender.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Sense-DowningSt-7Mar23-6255-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"Steven being interviewed by a TV reporter.\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/what-disability-pride-month-means-to-me\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              What Disability Pride Month means to me\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tJuly is Disability Pride Month. This year, it\u2019s prompted me to think about what \u201cdisability pride\u201d means to me.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block  slab    is-style-textured-primary-tint-10  align-full\">\n  <div class=\"wrap\">  <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What we&#8217;re doing in our services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Disabled people and their loved ones are at the heart of everything we do. Providing personalised support means that we empower people to become their true, authentic selves. That way, disabled people with complex needs can have pride in who they are, no matter how they identify, or what their sexuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, our sex and relationships advisers provide the tools and information to the people we support, empowering them to explore their sexuality and identity. We&#8217;re growing this area of our work to make sure more people can get the support they need to be their authentic selves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What we&#8217;re doing in our workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No one should be left out of life. We&#8217;re committed to making sure that no one is left out when they work for us, either. We&#8217;re striving for a culture where, if you work at Sense, you can bring your whole self to work, regardless of gender, sexuality or any other element of your identity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make this happen, we:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li>Have an active and enthusiastic LGBTQ+ employee network. This means that members of the community as well as allies can get together to network, campaign and celebrate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep an eye on the data. Having knowledge about the diversity of the people who work and volunteer at Sense helps us to continuously improve.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure we provide the right training to staff and have supporting policies in place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This Pride month, we\u2019re celebrating the LGBTQ+ community \u2013 and empowering the people we support to be their authentic, independent selves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":1892,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"content_label":[],"class_list":["post-9111","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9111"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9111\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"content_label","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_label?post=9111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}