LGBTQIA+ communities want and deserve the same basic human rights as everyone else, this is no secret.
We want equity and security, inclusion and safety, belonging and protection, and acceptance of our authentic selves in the workplace.
We want to be accepted for who we are.
Whilst the Equality Act of 2010 was a massive step in the right direction, and perhaps the bullying and harassment policies you have in place in your business are robust, this is all just lip service without actionable plans in place.
The media narrative around LGBTQIA+ communities remains predominantly negative, and one in eleven people openly admits to being ‘disgusted’ by the communities as a whole.
Changing Hearts & Minds Consulting believes it’s time to turn the tide, and we want to make the change from within the workplace, where the average adult spends more than 50% of their life.
A zero-tolerance workplace will not be possible unless you have created ‘allies’ within your business.
We want to help you raise awareness among your workforce, and provide a positive representation and balanced education of the LGBTQIA+ communities. Cultivating allies for our communities, which provide understanding, support and advocacy throughout the workplace.
Did you know that LGBTQIA+ communities represent just 4% of the UK population?
Furthermore, one in five of us from the LGBTQIA+ community is not openly ‘out’ at work.
This means the representation of our communities in the UK workforce is minute, and our voices alone are not enough, we are simply not being heard.
We don’t feel seen, listened to, or accepted.
And that’s why it is so important for businesses to encourage and empower allies of LGBTQIA+ communities. To amplify the message of acceptance and equality, to shut down untruths, and to advocate for us when we cannot do so for ourselves.
It is the responsibility of your business to not only provide a podium for LGBTQIA+ community members in your workforce to stand and speak on but to also give encouragement and acceptance, that will empower them to step up and speak out.
Changing Hearts & Minds Consulting is here to help you do just that.
We will help you encourage allies for the LGBTQIA+ community, providing a safe and accepting workplace, and enabling them to bring their whole selves to work each day.
An empowered and engaged workforce is a productive one. And productivity increases when a workforce is diverse with the opportunity for individuals to shine their light at work. So why dim that light? You can have a more productive workforce and a far better business than ever before!
In addition, our consulting services will ensure you are able to connect with the wider LGBTQIA+ communities. Reaching out to be able to attract, recruit AND retain members of those communities. Positioning your business as one that values and champions its workforce and how they identify.
The wider social impact of such a programme is also worth mentioning, your employees will have the knowledge and confidence to go home and encourage families, neighbours, communities, and friends to also become allies. What you start within your business will make the world far better for everyone.
Politicians may change and laws can be amended, it is then so important to be aware that nothing can be taken for granted. What progress we have made, and what rights have been put into law today may be gone tomorrow, that’s why we need to act now. By winning the hearts and minds of the UK workforce, society will stand by us whatever may come.
Give more LGBTQIA+ people the confidence to ‘come out’ at work and live their true lives.
Together we can fight social injustice, discrimination, and oppression with allies standing by our sides.
