At London Northwestern Railway, we’re committed to supporting our LGBTQIA+ colleagues and customers.
Not just during Pride month, but always.
As part of Pride month, our internal LGBTQIA+ group, Aspect, has put together what Pride means for our colleagues, and why it is important to celebrate it.
Keep reading to find out what our colleagues have to say about Pride, and what it means to them:
“For me pride is about celebrating the unique and beautiful family I have and embracing my identity and the identity of my family. It is important for my wife and I to be proud of who we are, and to teach our child to be proud of themselves and their family.
It is also important to me to stand up for my rights and the rights of others, teaching our child the importance of inclusivity and respect. I want to be part of building a supportive community and provide strength for others to be able to live and work without fear and judgement."
– Hannah
“Pride to me is a chance to stand with the wider LGBTQ+ community in showing that love comes in array of ways and all should be celebrated.
More than that, it’s also taking a stand to say that being gay, personally, is ok and I accept myself. We are seeing a change in LGBTQ+ rights in many countries across the world at the moment. Pride is a chance to stand against this and protest that Love Wins.”
– Ryan
“For me, the idea of pride isn’t just members of the LGBTQIA+ community being okay and proud of their own identity – it’s this coming together as a collective community to support each other, and when one side needs a bit more help, we’re there as a collective to defend and support them.
Nowadays, this has never been truer, where certain groups are under attack for their identity – both in this country and around the world - simply for the fact that being who they are is becoming less and less accepted in our society. Whilst pride is a celebration, it has always been a protest, and we must not forget that.”– James
"Personally, Pride is about showing up - not just in June, but every day - with empathy, intention, and unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community. Being an ally means listening more than speaking, learning constantly, and using my voice and my privilege as a straight, white woman to stand up for equality, dignity, and joy.
Pride reminds me that inclusion isn’t passive; rather, it’s an active, ongoing commitment to ensure everyone feels safe, seen, and celebrated for who they are.I’m always appreciative of any opportunity to stand beside friends, colleagues, and loved ones who continue to lead the way with courage and authenticity.
Pride is a celebration, of course - but it’s also a call to action. It inspires me to keep doing the work, to keep showing up, and to keep holding space whereby love, identity, and humanity are never up for debate."– Serenity
As a company, we are proud to support pride and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, and our largest ever group of colleagues and their families marched with us at Birmingham Pride on the 24th May to show their support.
As an inclusive employer, London Northwestern Railway embraces the principles of FREDIE: Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement. The company’s overriding ambition has been to exceed the expectations of customers, colleagues and communities. To create a diverse and modern culture, London Northwestern Railway cares passionately about ensuring the railway is an inclusive place for everyone.
To find our more about diversity and inclusion within our organisation, click here: Diversity and Inclusion | Corporate Social Responsibility