Proud Employers: Be Proud to Be Yourself at Work02/2017

The cause of equality for LGBT people has come a long way in the past couple of decades; it has been a long and, at times, a very hard road. It is a battle joined reluctantly but nevertheless fought with vigour because, when clad in the armour of a righteous cause, you can prove yourself stronger than all the hosts of error (to misquote William Jennings Bryan). Yet it is no time to rest on the laurels of victories won, the road still winds on.

Since 1989, when Stonewall was formed by likeminded people who were appalled by Section 28 of The Local Government Act which stigmatised the LGBT community, they have campaigned tirelessly for the freedom of self-expression that everyone should enjoy. Since then government legislation has made it illegal to discriminate against anyone on the grounds of sexuality. While this is a long stride towards equality in employers’ recruitment policy, there is more work to do if there is to be equality of opportunity within the workplace.

Government legislation may prevent discrimination being displayed openly but it runs deeper than that. LGBT people have been afraid to reveal their true selves. If they are not openly abused then they are the victim of “innocent” innuendo. It’s not friendly banter when you are always on the receiving end. It is certainly no joke when you are consistently bypassed for promotion and advancement opportunities in favour of people who are “better equipped” to do the job.

It is a known fact that if a person is allowed the freedom to be who they are, if they are comfortable in their surroundings, then they will be more productive. More and more employers are coming to realise that and take advantage of it.

Proud Employers is a jobs board that has been set up specifically to recruit hardworking and talented people from the LGBT community who wish to be themselves and work in accepting environments. It was formed by a group of employers who recognise the benefits of all employees feeling comfortable in the workplace. All of these employers count among Stonewall’s Diversity Champions; they include some of the best known employers in the UK:

• MacMillan Cancer Suppot
• BP
• Credit Suisse
• MI5 The Security Service
• MI6 The Secret Intelligence Service
• Slaughter & May
• Freshfields
• St Andrews Healthcare
• Royal Navy

If you are a member of the LGBT community and you are looking for an opportunity to be who you really are and show what you can really do, contact Proud Employers today. 

Proud Employers - www.proudemployers.org.uk