Celebrating Pride and people’s individuality

Cheryll Champion, Quality and Compliance Manager at LDC Care, shares how her services support men exploring dressing in women’s clothes to feel valued and included.

Our service always supports people to live the lives they want. Currently, we have a young man questioning his gender and another who identifies as gay or bisexual, expressing interest in dressing in traditional women's clothing. We value individual choices and safely support people in achieving life goals while exploring their identity and sexuality.

At LDC Care, we understand the importance of being open about who you are. Suppressing interests can lead to agitation, distress, and anger. Investing time and energy in supporting self-expression has long-term benefits for individuals and staff, reducing incidents and promoting inclusion. Supporting people through life changes and recognising their evolving identities is our priority. To ensure they feel valued, we explore activities that align with their interests. In preparation for Pride, we considered hosting a drag event, ensuring it was person-centred.

With enthusiastic support from our Director, we invited people to participate in a drag performance, receiving immediate positive responses from both staff and those we support. Through local recommendations, we connected with drag queen Dita Garbo, who agreed to host a “makeup masterclass” leading up to a larger pride event in June. The event would feature the LDC Drag Family, MCd by Dita, with a lip-sync performance.

To keep costs down, we sought donations via social media, requesting clothes, wigs, and makeup for individuals preparing for their performances. The response was overwhelming - costumes, jewellery, and wigs were gifted, and a charity helped with wig donations. Staff provided makeup, and we discovered team members with professional experience in makeup and hairstyling, which was invaluable.

The makeup masterclass was a huge success, with Dita guiding a group of excited participants, managers, and staff. The young men exploring women’s clothing brought their own outfits, and one proudly announced his drag name. The event reinforced confidence, insight, and understanding, making participants feel empowered and joyful.

The event generated positivity across our service, boosting confidence and celebrating individuality. It sparked interest among others, with many dressing up or expressing a desire to participate in the pride event. Regardless of identity or sexuality, people wanted to be involved in the joy it created.

This inclusivity also benefits our workforce. LGBTQ+ staff members recognise the importance of pride, and visibly celebrating diversity helps encourage openness. Recognising and valuing people’s identities fosters meaningful discussions about improving inclusivity.

In June 2024, LDC Care were involved in two major events: a drag lip-syncing event and an empowering trip to London, where they march alongside 100 adult social care representatives in the pride procession. For the first time, the sector was formally represented, thanks to the OUT Standing Diversity Forum, raising awareness of the diversity of people and staff in social care.

Make sure to visit our LGBTQ+ learning framework page for more info on supporting LGBTQ+ people in your service.

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