Promote pride and equality in the workplace

The Norton Rose Fulbright’s Pride network, the global Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and Allies network, recently hosted an event at its Sandton offices to connect and communicate with other leading corporations about issues relating to diversity and inclusion within the workplace.

The network aims to create a more inclusive and accepting environment for LGBT individuals, engage with allies of the LGBT community, and encourage the recruitment, retention and professional development of LGBT talent. The event provided help to management on the development and implementation of LGBT-inclusive policies and provided attendees with opportunities to participate in volunteering and pro bono initiatives which support the local LGBT working community.

The event was attended by 51 members of LGBT networks representing 20 of South Africa’s largest and most forward-thinking corporations.

“GABLE’s [a LGBT network] purpose is to create a safe and equitable workplace for all employees, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, or other differences, by networking, educating, influencing, advocating, mentoring and celebrating,” said Dylan van Vuuren, a member of GABLE who spoke at the event.

According to Pride’s chairperson of Norton Rose Fulbright, Ross Forgan, LGBT networks are critical to ensure workplace equality and to provide vital peer support for LGBT staff who may feel marginalised.

“It is our hope that this event is an important step in bringing visibility to an increasingly important issue and in providing a space where proponents of diversity can exchange ideas and propose solutions that will have a lasting impact on everyone,” explained Forgan.

Norton Rose Fulbright intends to host this event as an annual initiative in its LGBT calendar and expects to see more of South Africa’s corporations drive diversity and inclusion within the workplace.

Details: www.nortonrosefulbright.com

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