Issue #28 Monday, 02 October 2023
Dear Subscriber,
Welcome to the latest issue of the LGBT Great News Digest, a short briefing on the 5 LGBTQ+ news stories that you need to know about right now. Firstly, here are three LGBT Great updates for you:
1 – New LGBTQ+ Language and Terminology Guide Launch Join us to launch our new LGBTQ+ Inclusive Language Guide on National Coming Out Day 2023. This guide will provide our Members with insights into LGBTQ+ inclusive language around the world and across different languages and also sets out a number of industry best practices.Register to join the session here on our Membership Platform.
2 – The 2023 Top 10 Trans and Non-Binary Role Models Now is the final chance to nominate your Trans and Non-Binary Role Models who are blazing new trails for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Financial and Professional Services industries.Nominate here on our Website.
3 – LGBTQ+ iiBT Framework Deadline (*Extended* 31 October 2023) Members, don’t forget to press submit on your organisation’s 2023 iiBT submission. The iiBT is our LGBTQ+ DE&I Framework for Financial and Professional Services organisations. All organisations who submit are able to opt for an LGBT Great accredited inclusion standard. To find out more:Email Alex.
Best wishes, LGBT Great Team ___ Enjoyed this Digest? Click HERE to provide your feedback. |
|
| 1. FCA and PRA release D&I consultation papers |
|
On 25 September 2023, FCA released a consultation paper in partnership with PRA that aims to consult on proposals for a new regulatory framework on D&I across the financial sector. The proposal was inspired by the majority positive responses in support of regulatory action from a 2021 FCA discussion paper. _____ Our View: LGBT Great welcomes these consultation papers from the FCA and PRA. Both papers provide clear guidance for regulated firms around building and implementing stronger D&I strategeis, particularly around data collection.
LGBT Great will be providing a formal written response by December with our recommendations for how the FCA and PRA could make LGBTQ+ inclusion more well integrated across their various policy plans. We encourage all our Corporate Members and wider network to get in touch with their views, comments and recommendations. To get involved or for more information, contact alex@lgbtgreat.com |
|
|
|
| 2. Index shows financial services lags in social impact initiatives |
| On 20 September 2023, the global management consultancy Kearney published an index of social performance measureing 3 components: strategy, operating model, and performance. It found that Financial Services came out with the lowest average score of 62.6/100 of all the industries surveyed. _____ Our View: These findings do acknowledge the heavy utilisation of ESG frameworks across Financial Services. It would appear that the "E" and "G" do tend to receive more attention. This is understandable as, in many instances, hard t effectively track and monitor the social sustainability impact of an initiative.
However, it is not a zero-sum game; the industry should focus on social impact initiatives and ESG holistically in order to attract and retain future generations of talent which are known to prioritise firms that have a high social impact.
|
|
|
|
| 3. California governor bolsters LGBTQ+ protections |
| On 23 September 2023, the California governor, Gavin Newsom, signed multiple bills aimed at boosting LGBTQ+ inclusion. One bill warrants cultural competency training for public school staff. Another creates an advisory taskforce that would advance supportive initiatives for LGBTQ+ students. A 3rd bill mandates the provision of gender-neutral bathrooms by 2026 for all schools serving 1st to 12th grade students. _____ Our View: A day before Newsom signed these bills, he also vetoed pro-transgender legislation that would have considered parents’ affirmation of their children’s trans identities as a factor of influence for custodial/visitation rights.
While these new legislations help to solidify California's position as a state leader in enacting protections for the LGBTQ+ community, it is evident that more is still needed with Newsom's veto lacking sensitivity towards the custodial rights of transgender children.
|
|
|
|
| 4. New report shows progress in LGBTQ+ rights and protections |
| A new report released by F&M Global Barometers showed that the world mean for GBGR (Global Barometer of Gay Rights) increased by seven percent from 2011-2020 and the GBTR (Global barometer of Transgender Rights) improved by six percent for the same time period. _____ Our View: The data indicates that progress is happening. However, the strides in LGBTQ+ equality can be described as uneven at best as there are still many jurisdictions in which same-sex sexual activity is criminalised. Importantly, this report also found that economic growth, democracy and globalisation were significant predictors aligned to the advancement of LGBTQ+ human rights.
|
|
|
|
| 5. UK Home Minister says being gay or a woman not enough to seek asylum |
| On 26 September 2023, Suella Braverman, the UK Home Secretary , gave a speech at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington during which she stated being LGBTQ+ or a woman was not enough to qualify for asylum. In a follow-up interview, she also said that LGBTQ+ asylum seekers often ‘pretend to be gay’ to get refuge. _____ Our View: 66 jurisdictions criminalise same-sex activity and 12 impose the death penalty for it. Moreover, 14 countries criminalise non-conforming gender expression. As a result, there are many instances where LGBTQ+ people may be seeking asylum.
|
|
|
|
| Upcoming Events & Webinars |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
