Working together for LGBT+ equality and inclusion
2019 is an important and historic year for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) community as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising in the US, known as the birth of the modern LGBT+ rights movement.
It’s a timely reminder of the progress we have made with LGBT+ equality in many parts of the world. In June 2019, Botswana became the latest African nation to decriminalise same-sex relations. A month earlier, Taiwan's parliament legalised same-sex marriage – the first country in Asia to do so. These are just a few recent examples.
But there are still places where LGBT+ people suffer discrimination every day and for whom the fight is far from over.
Last year I was asked what Pride meant to me. Pride is a celebration of how far we have come with LGBT+ equality and, as someone who heads a global network with people in 158 countries around the world, an acknowledgement of how far we still have to go.
At PwC, we do not tolerate discrimination on any grounds and believe in going further to actively value the differences of our people.
Why? First and foremost, because it’s the right thing to do. Everyone – regardless of their sexual orientation, race or gender – deserves to be treated equally. Second, there is a strong business case for building a diverse and inclusive workplace – including LGBT+ people. The more we can bring together diverse teams with different perspectives and ideas, the stronger the insights and solutions we offer clients, stakeholders and the communities in which we live and work.
Taking a stand for LGBT+ equality and inclusion
Our support for LGBT+ colleagues is a vital part of our diversity and inclusion strategy. From partnering with organisations to advance LGBT+ equality, to taking part in Pride parades around the world, to adding respect for LGBT+ people in our Global Code of Conduct and Human Rights statement, we’re standing up for inclusion and taking action so that our colleagues can bring their true selves to work.
By working together with other organisations, we believe we can make a bigger impact. That’s why PwC has joined The Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality, a World Economic Forum-supported coalition of organisations committed to leveraging their individual and collective advocacy to accelerate LGBT+ equality and inclusion globally.
As part of this partnership, we will work with coalition members to encourage businesses around the world to implement the United Nations LGBTI Standards, aimed at helping businesses to prevent discrimination against LGBT+ people. This includes creating a due-diligence framework which businesses can use to assess the alignment of their policies with the standards and better understand the practical impact of their policies on LGBT+ people.
We’re also bringing our own global LGBT+ community closer together. In conjunction with World Pride 2019, over 160 PwC LGBT+ leaders and people from 28 countries will gather in New York to take part in our first ever Global LGBT+ Summit. It’s an opportunity for participants to develop their leadership skills, connect with colleagues from across our global network, and openly discuss LGBT+ issues. I look forward to welcoming the representatives of our LGBT+ community to New York and joining them at the summit.
Importantly, this gathering and other events like this are a visible way to demonstrate to all our stakeholders that our LGBT+ people are important and valued members of our network.
Ultimately, our goal is to make sure all our people – wherever they may be – can bring their full selves to work so they feel included and inspired to perform at their best. It’s people’s differences that make our workplace culture stronger and brighter.
As Nelson Mandela famously said: “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”
Sociologist
5yEquality Tolerance Respect Dignity should be the order of the day
Assistant Football Coach
5y“At PwC, we do not tolerate discrimination on any grounds” Does that include discrimination against a person who will not conform to an agenda they disagree with?
(she/her/hers)
5yA devotion like this inspires me.
Senior Translator, Interpreter, Proofreader
5ygreat