Issue #17 Monday, 1 May 2023
Dear Subscriber,
Welcome to the latest issue of the LGBT Great News Digest, a short briefing on the 5 LGBTQ+ news stories you need to know about right now.
In addition to the news stories below, please see these four ways to empower your LGBTQ+ colleagues early in Q2:
Build Awareness for IDAHOBIT In 2023 the global theme is: ‘Together Always: United in Diversity’ a reminder that together, we all belong, and our diversity, is what makes us strong. Join LGBT Great's webinar on 17 May, where we'll discuss the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people and financial services.
Amplify this Interview with Rachel Reese We recently interviewed Rachel Reese, the Director of Global Butterflies. Read about Rachel's exciting career and her experience as an influential LGBTQ+ woman in business.
Share our LGBTQ+ Women Conversation In celebration of Lesbian Visibility Week, we recently hosted a panel with four inspirational women. We explored how to build empowerment in the workplace!
The LGBT Great Team |
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| 5 LGBTQ+ News Stories from Around the World |
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| 1. New study shows less than half of LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people are out at work |
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A new study by myGwork released during Lesbian Visibility Week shows that only 44% of LGBTQ+ women are ‘out’ at work due to high levels of discrimination. The report also shows that 70% of LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people still encounter some level of discrimination at work, with even higher figures for PoC, ethnic minority groups and other underrepresented communities. _____ Our View: 80% of respondents also stated that it was tougher for LGBTQ+ women to smash through the glass ceiling, in comparison to non-LGBTQ+ women, another staggering reminder of how LGBTQ+ women and non-binary folks face disproportionate amounts of marginalisation in the workplace.
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| 2. Cook Islands decriminalises homosexuality |
| On 14 April 2023, lawmakers in Cook Islands approved a bill which effectively decriminalises same-sex relationships. The 2023 Bill removes a provision from Crimes Act dated 1969, which punished homosexuality with up to 5 years in prison.
_____ Our View: T he Cook Islands' recent decision to grant protections for LGBTQ+ individuals comes at a critical moment when such rights are being undermined globally. In the United States, for instance, trans rights are being rolled back, while Uganda has introduced an egregious anti-LGBTQ+ law.
However, this progressive legislation by Cook Islands has the potential to shift the global tide and inspire other nations to follow suit in granting similar protections.
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| 3. Study finds quarter of young LGBT+ adults go back into the closet after starting work |
| A new research piece which surveyed 3,695 young British people aged 18 to 25, was recently conducted by the UK based charity JustLikeUs. It reported that 25% of young LGBT+ adults went back into the closet after starting work, in addition to 20% trans respondents saying that they could not fully be themselves at work. _____ Our View: This eye-opening study also reported that 65% of young LGBT+ adults felt that a company’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion was ‘very important’ to them. Further 42% of them said that they wanted a mentor for support at work.
All these data points iterate the need for an inclusive workplace where the LGBTQ+ community can truly belong. Sign up to LGBT Great's free mentoring program and explore our other offerings.
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| 4. Hungarian president vetoes anti-LGBTQ+ law |
| Katalin Novak, the president of Hungary, has vetoed the ‘snitch on your gay neighbour’ law, which included a provision for citizens to anonymously report on same-sex couples who are raising children. The provision dictates that people who contest ‘the constitutionally recognised role of marriage and the family’ and children’s rights to ‘an identity appropriate to their sex at birth’ should be reported. _____ Our View: The Hungarian government has previously demonstrated a clear anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, most recently exemplified by the banning of gay folks from appearing in school educational materials and TV shows, a move that has drawn comparisons to the 2013 anti-LGBTQ+ law introduced by the Kremlin.
However, Novak's veto is a clear indication of the president's commitment to protecting the Hungarian LGBTQ+ community.
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| 5. Colorado governor signs gender-affirming healthcare and abortion protections |
| On 15 April 2023, the governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, signed the three following legislations- SB23-188 Protections for Accessing Reproductive Health Care; SB23-189 Increasing Access to Reproductive Health Care; SB23-190 Deceptive Trade Practice Pregnancy-Related Service. These legislations are meant to protect reproductive rights and preserve gender-affirming care in the state.
______ Our View: Colorado has now joined its southern neighbour, New Mexico, in enshrining gender-affirming healthcare and reproductive rights into law.
With neighbouring states such as Utah, Wyoming, and Oklahoma rolling back fundamental protections for women and the trans and non-binary community, Colorado's newly enacted laws come as a beacon of hope, establishing the state as a safe haven for the marginalised groups by granting them access to essential healthcare.
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Applications for new Corporate Members are opening again. If you would like to find out more about the membership options with LGBT Great, get in touch today via this short form. |
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Disclaimer The information contained in this newsletter is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by LGBT Great and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the newsletter or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the newsletter for any purpose. All the quotations in the news are presented as originally published. LGBT Great does not necessarily share the views of the quoted authors and is not responsible for the accuracy of the information or quality of the analysis provided by them. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. |
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