Don't Tell Pam...

Hi,

My name is Zoya, and I run a coffee shop in South West London. We have a very tight knit group who all work here, and community is very important to us. One of the best things about London, and especially our little corner, in Imperial Wharf, is its incredible diversity, with people from all walks of life. We at Harris and Hoole, are incredibly LGBTQ+ friendly, and aim to have a safe space for everyone who works with us, or comes in for a cuppa.

It recently came to light, that one of our team memebers, Pam, is saving up for IVF with her wife Ari. These two women are both wonderful, and kind, caring and always there when you need it. They are family to all of us on the team, and a massive part of the local community. Pam always goes out of her way to help everyone, and is currently working extremely hard to try and start a family. Unfortunately, for people like Pam and her wife, there isn't a free NHS option.

This is an issue that faces many memebers of the LGBTQ+ community all across the country. Some refer to it as the Gay Tax. In order to prove you are trying to conceive, you have to have IVF done privately, which can cost up to £25,000. This is not fair- everyone has the right to start a family, and the government recognise this, by providing 3 rounds of IVF for hetro couples, on the NHS. This right is treated as a privalage for LGBTQ+ people. This is unfair, especially when you have such wonderful people like Pam and Ari who would make such wonderful parents.

We have decided to try and help them get closer to making their dream a reality. If the government won't help, then we, the community, and people who love Pam will try to do what we can to help. Please help us to help Pam, and raise awareness of the inequality faced by many LGBTQ+ people around the country.