How can a business support the LGBTQ+ community?

[Iguana]

As the only out gay at my workplace (out of 175 people!), I have the honour of being asked to join our newly-created Diversity Committee as the token gay.

They're apparently keen to attract more LGBTQ+ employees, or at least make it clear it's a safe space to come out. I think the best way of doing that is by showing support of appropriate causes. It is a business so it's all quite cynical, but I may as well try to make something positive out of it.

I wondered whether anyone had any ideas about how a medium-sized business can support the LGBTQ+ community, particularly during lockdown? I have a friend whose work put on a London Pride event and join in the parade with banners, but that's not going to happen during the pandemic and I question how helpful it really is.

Any ideas welcome. I will of course steal them to progress me career (as if providing diversity ideas helps one's career...)

 

[Lucille]

How are the ONLY ONE!? I work for a company with 3 people and I’m not the only one.

 

[Iguana]

How are the ONLY ONE!? I work for a company with 3 people and I’m not the only one.

The only out one, anyway. I'm known as the gay one

 

[Iguana]

(I'm not really known as the gay one, I don't think, but they made it sound like that when they invited me to join the committee and asked me why I thought other people hadn't come out)

 

[Lucille]

I'm known as the gay one

MAYBE START WITH THIS!

 

[Tetris-Rock]

Stonewall most likely have a buttload of info on this, although i’m not sure what is and isn’t feasible for a medium sized employer but it gives you a flavour.

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/what-best-employers-do

 

[lolly]

Oh to be the only one and have the WHIFF of EXOTICA about me

It's ten a penny in our place

 

[Sheena]

I was told on the day I joined my new job I was "NOT THE ONLY ONE" and I spent a whole week fantasising about CUTE BEARDED ADMIN BOY and HOT TECHY GEEK GUY only to find over breakfast at my hotel on my third day there that I was sharing my WEETABIX with a LIPSTICK LEZ.

Fuming.

 

[Iguana]

Stonewall most likely have a buttload of info on this, although i’m not sure what is and isn’t feasible for a medium sized employer but it gives you a flavour.

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/what-best-employers-do

Good call! Thanks TR, I will take a look

 

[Star]

Oh to be the only one and have the WHIFF of EXOTICA about me

It's ten a penny in our place

Yours are all vegan lesbains though right?

 

[lolly]

Yours are all vegan lesbains though right?

Oh DON'T

that team day next week had a BRING A VEGETABLE FOR LUNCH, which were all going to be boiled or roasted and blended into soup for lunch.

Then there was a ZOOM ROW when someone asked if they could bring chicken for the meat eaters

That was my third day back after being off sick for a month, so I just went back to WEAVING MY YOGHURT and KEPT WELL BUTTONED

 

[big ron]

Subsidised poppers

 

[lolly]

Glory holes in the toilets

 

[Sheena]

Fists across America

 

[Berly]

A very simple and completely inexpensive way I’d suggest is adding pronouns to your email signature.

I have no idea what the business you work in is, but it’s something my last two organisations have done, completely unenforced - just given the option to and made clear it’s welcomed if staff want to.

It’s gone down well and a few new starters have said how progressive it is and their old organisation would never, etc.

 

[Berly]

Something like this could also be considered - https://allequalscharter.com/

 

[lolly]

All our policies have been rewritten this year, and pretty much all gendered language has been removed.

 

[Iguana]

Something like this could also be considered - https://allequalscharter.com/

This is very interesting and I knew nothing about it. Thank you!