LCR Pride Foundation co-founders, John Bird and Andi Herring, were incredibly surprised to be presented with Navajo’s inaugural Next Generation Award.
The Navajo Merseyside & Cheshire LGBT Charter Mark is an equality mark sponsored by In-Trust Merseyside & Sefton Embrace and supported by the LGBT+ Community networks across the Liverpool City Region – a signifier of good practice, commitment and knowledge of the specific needs, issues and barriers facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the community.
On receiving the award, John and Andi said, “We are incredibly humbled to have been recognised by Navajo for the work we have been doing over the past few months. Having met with over 250 organisations, voluntarily, to share our visions for the future of Pride in Liverpool and how we further that message and its work, via the LCR Pride Foundation, demonstrates a shared ethos and ambition of that of Navajo and it’s partner organisations. The simple fact that this was recognition from our peers within the community is what makes it so much more appreciated, as we all do this for the love and passion of making society a better place for LGBT+ individuals. So thank you again! You made the Pride double act speechless!”
Tony Griffin, Chair of the Partnership for the Navajo Merseyside & Cheshire LGBTIQ Chartermark, explained why the decision to award John and Andi was unanimous, “I was delighted to see Andi and John receive our new Navajo Next Generation Award, sponsored by Barnardos. It was presented to them by Steve Corcoran, Barnardos Children & Young People Services Manager Greater Merseyside Locality, and one of our elders Mr Phil Johnson who has been campaigning for our rights for over 60yrs.
The award was created to mark the first 10 years of the existence of the Navajo Partnership here on Merseyside, it was seen as being a positive way of highlighting the need to support young people as they take forward the fight for social justice for all people across our diverse communities.
It is vital that we support our young people to take up the challenge in their own style, and the work of John and Andi is viewed as clearly exemplifying everything that we wanted to celebrate.
We all wish Andi and John the very best in their work of developing LCR Pride Foundation and Navajo will stand shoulder to shoulder in supporting them as best we can. Good Luck as your new journey starts its trailblazing path.”
For more information regarding the Navajo Chartermark CLICK HERE!
