Media Advisory: Nurses march with pride in Toronto's Pride Parade

TORONTO, July 2 /CNW/ - A group of nurses joined by friends and family will march in this Sunday's Pride Parade in Toronto. The nurses are members of the RNAO and its Rainbow Nursing Interest Group.

"As the association that speaks out for health and speaks out for nursing, we are extremely proud to participate in this event because we believe all patients, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are entitled to an inclusive, respectful, safe and supportive care environment. This is an issue of human rights. It's what nurses believe and what our patients deserve," says RNAO Executive Director Doris Grinspun.

This is the third consecutive year RNAO and the Rainbow Nursing Interest Group are participating in the march. Judith MacDonnell says nurses and other health-care providers are "collaborating with LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) communities on education, policy and research strategies for high quality care in hospitals, long-term care and home health care to ensure their diverse needs are met."

    
    WHO:

    -  Doris Grinspun, Executive Director of the Registered Nurses'
       Association of Ontario

    -  Judith MacDonnell, co-chair of RNAO's Rainbow Nursing Interest Group

    -  Other members of RNAO's Rainbow Nursing Interest Group

    WHAT:    The Toronto Pride Parade

    WHERE:   The intersection of Bloor Street and Ted Rogers Way (near Jarvis
             Street), Toronto

    WHEN:    Sunday July 4, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
    

Toronto's Pride Parade caps the end of a month-long celebration in which communities throughout the province held events to promote awareness of people's diverse identities.

RNAO's ongoing commitment to equal and equitable access is outlined in a position statement the association released in 2007 stressing the importance of creating work environments where LGBT patients, clients, nurses and other health professionals do not experience discrimination. To read more about Respecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, please visit www.rnao.org.

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses wherever they practise in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has lobbied for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve.

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact Marion Zych, Director of Communications, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), Phone: [phone] - cellular, [phone] - office; Judith MacDonnell, Co-Chair of the Rainbow Nursing Interest Group, 905-808-0447; Andre Boisvert, Officer, Rainbow Nursing Interest Group, 416-315-3466