Happy Pride Month. Whilst it is important to raise awareness and celebrate Pride, we should all remain conscious that this is a Community who still face fear of revealing their true self, and sadly suffer some of the worst forms of prejudice and discrimination just for being who they are.
That is why it is not enough to simply mark occasions and raise awareness, although it is important to do those things too. It is about influencing real change and removing systemic barriers that people face in employment – which is one of our core purposes at Glass Ceilings.
Employers should be:
- Assessing people policies, procedures, processes, systems, and practices to ensure they are Inclusive.
- Involving people affected in making decisions.
- Not asking people intrusive questions about who they are or how they identify – it’s just plain rude!
- Not being wedded to terminology we have learnt, but embracing how people identify, and that they have the right to be fluid in how they identify.
- Calling people by their preferred name and using their preferred pronouns, accepting that this can change.
- Not asking for certain documentation and ensuring people aren’t placed in uncomfortable situations during their employment.
Laura Evans, CEO, reflects:
“I am proud to be an Ally to the LGBTQ+ community since childhood, and will continue to call out discrimination and lack of inclusive practice wherever I see it. Glass Ceilings will always champion the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and support organisations to embed inclusive practices and reduce homophobic and transphobic incidents in the workplace.”
1st June, 2022