It's All About People - 13th February 2025

READ TIME - 3 minute read

Allyship and support for the LGBT+ community is something very close to my heart.

As shown in the main email below there has been great progress, however I have also seen horrific homophobic behaviour and so believe there is still so much more to be done.

The below was an image I saw during 2024 PRIDE celebrations and it really resonated with me.

February is LGBT+ History Month , and it’s the perfect time to reflect on your workplace’s inclusivity and take proactive steps to ensure everyone feels valued and supported. 🌟

An inclusive culture isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a business advantage. Research shows that diverse teams are more innovative, make better decisions, and perform at higher levels. 💼✨

What is LGBT+ History Month?

LGBT+ History Month celebrates the lives, achievements, and contributions of the LGBT+ community while promoting awareness and education around LGBT+ issues.

Here’s a brief timeline of key milestones celebrated during LGBT+ History Month:
📅 1967: Homosexuality is partially decriminalized in England and Wales.
📅 1988: Section 28 is introduced, prohibiting the "promotion" of homosexuality by local authorities.
📅 2003: Section 28 is repealed.
📅 2004: The Civil Partnership Act is introduced, granting same-sex couples legal recognition.
📅 2013: Same-sex marriage becomes legal in England and Wales.
📅 2020s: Growing focus on workplace inclusivity and transgender rights.

How Can You Foster Inclusivity in Your Workplace?

Stonewall, a leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, offers these top tips to create a truly inclusive workplace:

✅ Engage Allies: Encourage non-LGBTQ+ staff to actively support inclusion efforts. Allies play a crucial role in promoting diversity and creating an accepting environment. 👫

✅ Secure Senior Support: Gain visible endorsement from senior leaders for LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives. Leadership support sends a strong message throughout the organization. 🏢

✅ Update Policies: Regularly review and update your Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policies to ensure they reflect current best practices and communicate zero tolerance for discrimination. 📜

✅ Provide Training: Offer training to educate staff on LGBTQ+ issues, unconscious bias, and allyship. Building awareness is key to fostering a supportive culture. 🧠💡

✅ Celebrate Diversity: Use LGBT+ History Month to highlight the importance of inclusivity. Host events, share stories, or display visual symbols like rainbow flags to show support. 🌈

✅ Monitor Progress: Use surveys and feedback mechanisms to assess the impact of your inclusion initiatives and identify areas for improvement. 📊

Creating an inclusive culture benefits everyone in your organization and strengthens your workplace. Let’s celebrate diversity and make 2025 a year of belonging and growth.

Best wishes

Emma

P.S. If you're a member of our HR Hub, there are LOADS of resources to help you with all of the above topics.

P.P.S.  If you are not a Hub member why not give it for FREE for a month. You can do that here.

Events to Join in the coming weeks (click on the links to join us)

HR Masterclass: Redundancy, Practical Guidance from an Expert - free to all clients (£150+VAT for non-clients). 25th February 9.30am-12.30pm.

^{HR Clinic (free to all, come and ask your HR questions) - 6th March 12-1pm}

^{Lunch & Learn: Manage Redundancy with Compassion and Support - free to all clients, £35+VAT for non-clients). 18th March 12-1pm}

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