Standing up for LGBT+ equality and inclusion

Standing up for LGBT+ equality and inclusion

A year ago, PwC brought together 200 representatives of our global LGBT+ community in New York to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and World Pride, and to take part in our first ever global LGBT+ summit. At the summit, we talked about what more we can do to make PwC a safe, supportive and enriching place to work for all of our LGBT+ people – wherever they may be in the world and whatever circumstances they may have to live under. 

A lot has happened since that meeting in New York a year ago. Not least we are dealing with the worst global pandemic in a hundred years, something that presents us all with many challenges and difficulties. We will learn a lot from how we reacted to the pandemic, but perhaps the most important lesson will be this: we can only truly make progress and find answers if we stand together and work together.  

A lot has been achieved in the fight for LGBT+ rights. Earlier this month, the US Supreme Court finally ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does protect sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in employment, meaning that LGBT+ people can no longer be fired for being LGBT+. It took a long time but we got there. In the last 12 months, Austria, Costa Rica and Ecuador legalised same sex marriage, homosexulatity was decriminalised in Angola and the fashion house Chanel hired transgender model Teddy Quinlivan for a global campaign. There is undoubted progress but there is still much to do and much to fight for.

LGBT+ people around the world still face brutal discrimination and violence in many countries. In particular in the last year, we have seen some shocking attacks on the trans community and their rights to define their gender identity and to live their lives in peace and harmony. Most of us will never understand the courage it takes to embrace a gender identity different to the one you were assigned at birth, but I hope we can all understand that it is our duty to stand up for our trans colleagues and friends and support them on their journey.

At PwC, we do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We support and actively value our LGBT+ colleagues and friends, because it is good for our business and most importantly it is the right thing to do.

Working together is one of our core values. We have a thriving LGBT+ community at PwC who link up across the world to share experiences, best practices and support each other and their colleagues. In the last year, we have connected together our colleagues in countries where LGBT+ equality is well advanced with those in countries where they are on the beginning of the journey, helping them to share stories, to listen and offer guidance. In May we voiced our support for International Day against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and I was really happy to see one of our trans colleagues tweet out their pride at what PwC was doing.

We are also very actively working with others through organisations such as Open for Business and the Partnership for Global LGBT+ Equality to speed up LGBT+ equality and inclusion around the world. These groups are doing important work and I would encourage other organisations to sign up and take part. 

While the world has been in lockdown, at PwC we have been coming together during the last few weeks as best we can to celebrate “virtual” Pride month. Despite the current difficulties, it is right that we should mark it, celebrate what has been achieved and highlight what more needs to be done. I would like to thank my LGBT+ colleagues around the world for all they do for PwC.

 

Tiffany Beaumont

Creative Director @ Intersilver Studio

4y

great to see PwC is an equal opportunity employer

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Roger Carlier

Real Estate Advisor @ The Keyes Co. | Concierge Services

4y

Thanks for taking the time to write up this uplifting letter on the last day of Pride Month. The Supreme Court’s decisión is the most significant triumph for the LGTB community. The long overdue protection came at a time when our check and balance system seemed to be loosing its grip. Indeed, there is reason to celebrate. #LGTB #US #Leadership

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Nadja Wendenburg

EMEA Development Leader -EMEA Key Talent Leader

4y

#ProudToBePWC

Jalaj Soni

Financial Due Diligence | Review of Transaction Documents | Financial Reporting | IFRS | Risk Assessment & Control Testing

4y

We need many more such stories. Inspirational to see the continued support towards the cause. More power to you!

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