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Introducing The Surrey LGBTQ+ Employee Network

12th April 2023

 

We believe it’s important to ensure every business can create an inclusive environment for all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions within a workplace.

Larger places of work have employee networks that bring LGBTQ+ staff and their allies together, but what if you are a smaller organisation with no time to manage a network or with little idea who may be part of the LGBTQ+ community/want to support as an ally.

The Surrey LGBTQ+ Employee Network is here to help with just that. We provide a platform that allows employees to connect, whilst working with employers to shape their workplaces to become more inclusive.

What is LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning.

The ‘+’ covers all other types of sexual and gender identities such as asexual, intersex and genderqueer.

What’s the difference between sexual orientation & gender identity?

Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination of these) to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender.

Gender identity is defined as a personal conception of oneself as male, female, both, or neither. This conception is intimately related to a perceived gender role; this is defined as a presentation (typically within an external context) that reflects a given gender identity.

We are Pride in Surrey

Our mission is to Celebrate, Educate & Connect the LGBTQ+ community of Surrey and its allies, recognising intersectionality and never leaving anyone behind!

From our mission we can take our 3 values and apply them to the LGBTQ+ employee network:

The Network

This employee network, by Pride in Surrey welcomes all LGBTQ+ people and our allies,

who work full or part time in Surrey.

The network aims to support anyone who self-identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We are keen to include allies as they are people who are not LGBTQ+ but want to stand in solidarity with us.

The network aims to always remain inclusive of all genders and sexualities, as well as being intersectional in our outlook – working closely with, and in solidarity with, anti-racist, decolonising, trans, intersex, pro-trans feminist, disability support groups, neurodivergent individuals, GRT, the working-class, sex worker rights campaigns and liberation projects (at minimum).

What to expect

  • As an employee

    • Monthly virtual meeting: for registered members to join in anonymously or openly. Opening with successes regarding current experiences or through direct support of the network, we will celebrate together. Suggestions, like the employees, can then be submitted anonymously or openly and discussed further to help best educate all employers who are part of the network.
    • Two annual anonymous employee surveys: one upon signup and the second after 6 months. These will likely be multiple choice satisfaction questions that gather a measured feel for how employees are treated.
    • Social events: Invitation to social events in safe settings where you can meet like-minded individuals and break away from any feeling of isolation.
    • Well-being guide: including feel good quotes, information on local and national support services, exercise hints and tips and even healthy meal recipes. As well as tips on dealing with certain uncomfortable conversations within the workplace.

     

    As an employer

    • Regular network data: including statistical analysis of multiple choice satisfaction questions that employees have answered – remember, just because a load of employees may give a negative response, we are not aiming to directly call out negative behaviour. We are all in this to support each other.
    • Employer meeting invite: Taking place on virtually for registered employers to join anonymously or openly. We would expect this to be aimed at HR leads, CEOs, or middle-to-top management. All discussions will be noted in an anonymous manner so this can be impartially evaluated. If discussions held find that something is not understood as an issue for employers, we are able to ensure that training is rolled out for all employers of the network.
    • Access to support and guidance: this could be via training videos or one-to-one meetings which look at providing more direct support in implementing recommended areas
    • Access to subsidised training / development: with a range of sessions available from Pride in Surrey (Surrey LGBTQ Pride CIC) including but not limited to, diversity & inclusion, unconscious bias, mental health & well-being, LGBTQ+ history and sexual orientation & gender identity.