NHS staff to be banned from wearing political symbols

[Davros]

Supposedly due very much to anti semitism but hopefully it’s the end of rainbow lanyards etc
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/04/nhs-to-tackle-antisemitism-after-report-finds-jewish-staff-and-patients-routinely-ostracised

Asda is always the great reminder of why you still need due diligence when outsourcing.

That example is the one that really rams home the problem in a way that's tangable and makes people think wtf.

I’m a cynical oldie, so I’m just hoping that
a) there isn’t a rainbows aren’t political they are welcoming campaign incoming.
b) we don’t have to wait a year for 95 pages of guidance.

That said, I will miss the quiet satisfaction of subverting the rainbow lanyard in my own way.

Good luck saying rainbows aren't political they are welcoming when you even have gay and lesbian people now saying they feel intimidated by it because it's become a political branded ideology rather than something welcoming.

We could all start saying "I feel very unsafe as a gay person around your rainbow lanyard, would you please not wear it around me?" and see how well that goes down. If trans-identified people are allowed to feel unsafe, then so should everyone else. Sexual orientation is a protected characteristic and so is my belief that I feel unsafe.

True, Red but it was an argument put forward by someone (I might not have been paying attention to who) in a radio interview this morning. He was more or less suggesting that the alphabet people are scared to access healthcare unless staff have a nice welcoming rainbow lanyard. As you can imagine, the host didn’t bother to suggest that the rainbows might make others feel unwelcome or unsafe.

If I dare make a prediction though, some corporate minded CEOs may try to bring in NHS or trust branded lanyards. At which point, I’m sure the unions will remember that lanyards are not good for infection control and suggest banning them completely.

Everyone I have heard asked the question today has said they don’t think Pride badges etc are political, so I don’t hold out much hope.

Somebody on another thread pointed out that the rainbow was worn by /represented healthcare workers during Covid, and at the time had no political significance, just the original biblical one of hope in the midst of crisis.

The poster said that it was still worn by some healthcare workers in remembrance of that, not as a LGBTQ+++++++++ symbol.

It's hard to know, isn't it? But at least when I see a healthcare worker wearing a rainbow lanyard, I can think that it might be a reminder of their dedication and courage during a global crisis.

The so-called 'Progress Flag', the one with all the extra bits in the hoist, on the other hand, is unequivocal.

I agree - I have no problem with a pure rainbow, whatever its purpose - it is the “progress” pride one that makes me nervous.

I was going to start a rant thread about this.

I was only half listening when the new policy was being outlined on Radio 4 1pm news.

Then they interviewed an (ex) NHS Chief who said he thought this was right, particularly in relation to recent increase in anti semitism.

That a work place was about work and not a place to make political statements (I am paraphrasing).

Then (surprisingly the presenter - not sure who) asked so what about Rainbow symbols. And he said they were fine. They indicated that member of a group that is discriminated against is welcome and should feel safe. Just as a Black Lives matter badge would.

And, my rant, is not so much the policy, which may be clarified later, but this man - part of the NHS - so glibly saying wearing a rainbow was welcoming. The NHS that has made women employed by the NHS a living nightmare because the rainbow is in fact a symbol of male political oppression of women and their sex based rights.

WTF?!

The idea that somehow gender critical politics is being to take hold in the UK, particularly the establishment is I am sorry to say just not true.

They are so locked into the male dominated view of the world that everybody else should be listened to and accommodated - accept women.

Needless to say the BBC presenter didn't pick him up on this.

But the absolute conviction that his view of the value of the rainbow in the NHS, with everything that has been in the news, the court cases, etc., etc., and it is clear not one part of this had impinged on his complacent male superior brain view of the world.

Totally, utterly depressing.

oops rant mind forgot to check so:

The idea that somehow gender critical politics is being to take hold in the UK, particularly the establishment is I am sorry to say just not true.

should be:

The idea that somehow gender critical politics is no longer taking hold in the UK, particularly the establishment, is I am sorry to say just not true.