Issue #22 Monday, 10 July 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.
ROUND-UP | Together with Pride (1st July) A HUGE thank you to everyone who came along to our second annual Together with Pride event to celebrate Pride in London on 1st July. Check out our highlights video HERE. More importantly, we are delighted that, thanks to your generous support, our charity partner Diversity Role Models received £2,666 towards their £50k for 50 schools campaign to end LGBTQ+ bullying. If you would like to support Diversity Role Models and their amazing work, you can DONATE HERE!
FORTHCOMING | LGBT Great x From Babies with Love LGBT Great is delighted to announce that we are partnering with From Babies With Love to support their latest Cutting Edge report series, which explores the latest trends and updates on LGBTQ+ family building, surrogacy and adoption. Join us for an exciting webinar on Tuesday 18 July, in which a panel of fantastic experts will discuss the recent consultation on surrogacy law reform and what this means for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Register for your free ticket HERE.
TAKE PART | Project 1000 As part of our mission to empower 1 million people by 2030, and to make financial services the industry of choice for LGBTQ+ top talent, we are inviting nominations for the following role modelling schemes:
Not sure whether you have the right "qualifications"? You're not alone! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply for roles when they think they may not meet every qualification, when in fact they often do. If you're an LGBTQ+ person or ally, and have taken action to further LGBTQ+ inclusion, we'd love to receive an application.
Outside of our cyclical recognition schemes, did you know anyone can apply to be part of Project 1000 Role Models and Allies? Don't be shy - submit your application HERE!
Best wishes,
The LGBT Great Team |
|
| 1. 95% trans and gender non-conforming folks experienced negative behaviour at work in the past year |
|
A recent study conducted by Boston Consulting Group, which surveyed 2,230 trans and gender non-conforming people across eight countries, found that 95% of the respondents had experienced some sort of negative/dscriminatory behaviour at work, while only 29% of the workers were fully out to their co-workers. More than 40% of survey respondents reported being victims of sexual harassment or misconduct at work. _____ Our View: These statistics paint a concerning picture. Indeed, one-third of trans and gender non-conforming folks also reported that their identity had negatively affected their career.
The latest data from 2023 across this and other studies reiterates that the LGBTQ+ community continues to experience discrimination at work, highlighting the dire need for trans inclusion in organisations, inside and out. To explore ways to foster inclusivity for the trans and non-binary community in your workplace, check out LGBT Great's training catalogue here. |
|
|
|
| 2. Record number of Brits support same-sex unions |
| A recent study released by YouGov, which surveyed 4,263 adults from Great Britain, shows that 78% of Britons are in support of same-sex unions. This represents the highest proportion to date as recorded by YouGov. When polling began in 2011, only 4 in 10 people supported same-sex unions. _____ Our View: 10 years after same-sex marriage became legal in Great Britain, nearly half of the British population say that they personally know someone who is in a same-sex union.
The poll findings emphasise the growing acceptance of LGB relationships in public sentiment. However, the trans community continues to encounter significant hostility in Great Britain, and we sincerely hope that with time, the public fully embraces the 'T' along with the 'LGB'.
|
|
|
|
| 3. Dozens detained after Istanbul Pride March |
| On 02 July 2023, the Turkish police detained dozens of people following their participation in an LGBTQ+ Pride march held in Istanbul. Police in riot gear prevented access to Istiklal Avenue, the usual location for Pride marches, as well as the central Taksim Square. _____ Our View: In 2015, the Turkish police used tear gas and water cannons against Pride marchers, and also arrested dozens in 2017 for the same reason. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish president, who was recently re-elected, has espoused a clear anti-LGBTQ+ position throughout his presidency.
|
|
|
|
| 4. Bill to ban homosexuality introduced in Iraqi parliament |
| On 03 July 2023, a bill that proposes a ban on homosexuality was submitted to the Iraqi parliament by Mortada Al-Saadi, the Deputy Head of the Committee on Legal Affairs. The bill starts with Muqtada al-Sadr, the head of the nationalist Sadr movement, announcing plans to rally support from Iraqi citizens for a ban on homosexuality. _____ Our View: There are 64 countries which still criminalise homosexuality and 11 retain the death penalty for same-sex relations. Sadr is known for being vocally anti-LGBTQ+, with his sentiment reaching its peak on 03 December 2022, when he called for a million signatures "in support of the fight against the LGBTQ community," so that "it does not spread vice...”.
This rhetoric is extremely damaging and if this bill passes, legislative persecution of the Iraqi LGBTQ+ community will be imminent, much like we have already seen in East Africa this year.
|
|
|
|
| 5. Almost four-fold increase in US residents identifying as bisexual in a two-decade span |
| On 22 June 2023, a study was published in the Journal of Sex Research which found that respondents identifying as bisexuals increased from 1.2% to 4.5% between 2004-2021. The authors of the research noted that the increase in bisexuality rates in the data could be linked to an increased willingness to acknowledge bi identities. _____ Our view: The study also revealed a three-fold increase in the number of individuals reporting sexual partners of different genders between 1994 and 2021.
The willingness to acknowledge and be open about sexual orientation can only come when being LGBTQ+ has no associated stigma or discrimination attached and in instances where individuals feel pyschologically safe. This study demonstrates the strides we have made in establishing a safe and inclusive environment where the LGBTQ+ community can prosper and feel a sense of belonging.
|
|
|
|
Applications for new Corporate Members are currently open. If you would like to find out more about the membership options with LGBT Great, get in touch today via this short form. |
|
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. |
|
|
