Diversity Champions Northern Ireland - Rewarding Workplace Diversity

Come along and support The Rainbow Project, along with some of our amazing Diversity Champions who are taking part!! A great team night out!

The FA Cup will be over by 7pm, The Royal Wedding will be in throws of their evening reception, so don't miss out on the opportunity to spend a fabulous evening in May in Belfast City Hall, as part of LGBT Awareness Week and compliments of Cllr Nuala McAllister, Lord Mayor of Belfast.. We are happy and very proud to bring you our Final Dance.

On Saturday 19th May, Belfast City Hall will be lit up Rainbow for our 28 Volunteers who have given up hours and hours of their time to learn to charleston, cha cha, jive and tango for your viewing pleasure! There have been laughs, tears and a couple of almost head bumps, but it is all worth it in the end.

For one night only, you do not want to miss it. Drinks Reception & a wee bite to eat, all while supporting us to continue the work we do to support the LGBT Community across all of Northern Ireland. Get your tickets now before it is too late. https://goo.gl/bW6sFz

Share this post and you could Win two tickets to the show.

All of our wonderful dancers have now been announced, you an check them out by visiting our page!

Thank you to all our wonderful sponsors!

Belfast City Council, Lusso Tan, EXCITE Promotional Merchandise JuiceBelfast.com, Kennedy Centre, McLernon Moynagh Solicitors, Cuckoo Belfast, Cabaret Supperclub Belfast, Royal Slush - Slushee Machine Hire , Pinsent Masons, Harlow Gold, Sunflower Public House & Live Music, Unite the Union, Northern Ireland, Pure Pictures Wedding Specialists, Swift Wedding and Event Services and Nova News Network.

A huge welcome to our newest member:

Queen's University Belfast

"We’re really looking forward to being part of this important initiative and hopefully it will help drive forward some real change" Conor Curran, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Queens University, Belfast.

We are so pleased to have you on board!

Barry O'Donnell - Allen & Overy Out of the Blue Series - Barry O'Donnell, Allen & Overy, discusses his experiences in the workplace.

Last chance to RSVP for the breakfast session up until 3pm today (18 May 2017)

Only a few spaces remaining for this exciting workshop next week

Subscribe to our newsletter via our website - the latest edition is available here http://mailchi.mp/f080bd199182/lgbt-awareness-week-other-upcoming-events

LGBT Awareness Week & Other Upcoming Events

Many events coming up in May for Diversity Champions and business staff networks across Belfast and Northern Ireland -

Great event this evening with Citi Belfast and Ruth Hunt from Stonewall

Great meeting yesterday discussing employers and services trans initiatives in NI

The 2017 Stonewall top 100 employers index is out today and we're pleased to congratulate our DCNI members Lloyds Banking Group and Pinsent Masons for ranking 1st and 2nd respectively a big well done to you - and particularly thank you for your work with us locally and in the region - it doesn't go unnoticed the investment and conscientious partnerships with the local LGBT and NI community

RSVP for our LGBT History month event - and visit our site for more information

LGBT History Month Professionals Event

Brilliant turnout for our first LGBT professionals and staff networks mixer in Belfast and photos from Derry event that happened synonymously to follow

LGBT Professionals Winter Mixers Reminder !st Dec - Tonight - 6pm Onwards Aether & Echo Belfast and Grand Central Derry

Putting a third gender option on forms for non-binary people https://www.buzzfeed.com/patrickstrudwick/british-bank-becomes-the-first-to-welcome-gender-nonbinary-c?utm_term=.dveYZxN4L #.qyBBXyaRD

British Bank Becomes The First To Welcome Gender-Nonbinary Customers Exclusive: Metro Bank has introduced a third gender option for its customers, after a teenager could not open a bank account because they didn't identify as male or female.

Lovely write up of our North West event earlier in the month and event photos are here https://www.londonderrychamber.co.uk/events/event-gallery

Why the younger work teams care less about a long term career or big salary and more about the values and experiences in the workplace https://www.fastcompany.com/3046358/the-new-rules-of-work/millennials-have-a-different-definition-of-diversity-and-inclusion

Millennials Have A Different Definition Of Diversity And Inclusion Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords or boxes to check. Millennials believe they are essential to business success.

Embracing and uncovering diversity isn't the easy path but it's the right path and the better path to take...
https://hbr.org/2016/09/diverse-teams-feel-less-comfortable-and-thats-why-they-perform-better

Diverse Teams Feel Less Comfortable — and That’s Why They Perform Better

Take a listen to The Mark Patterson Show on Radio Foyle for today at 1hr17 to hear more about our programme and event in Derry tomorrow morning http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07ybggh

13/10/2016, The Mark Patterson Show - BBC Radio Foyle Join Mark for news, views and culture from across the north west of Northern Ireland.

Follow the North West buzz for our workplace diversity event in Derry on Friday and get involved by joining in online

Our North West event this Friday has spaces filling up - register here https://www.londonderrychamber.co.uk/events/upcoming-events/rewarding-workplace-diversity

Rewarding Workplace Diversity - Exploring LGB&/T Identity at Work - Londonderry Chamber of Commerce "The Londonderry Chamber provides a range of opportunities for members to access key influencers and business leaders, to be inspired and to promote and increase awareness of their brand"

11th of October marks World Coming Out Day follow the conversation online today with

11 October is World Coming Out Day and in honour of this day, Chair of A&Out, our staff LGBT network, Barry O'Donnell-McCrory shares his experiences of coming out and shares advice to anyone struggling with this issue.

Coming out as Le***an, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender to friends, family or work colleagues can be a daunting experience. It can be a time of worry and uncertainty. I have found that you don’t just come out once or twice during your working career; it can be many more times depending on the number of jobs you have had. Working in an environment where diversity is appreciated and inclusion is part of everyday culture can make things so much easier for those people who want to come out. It has been my experience to date that the culture and environment in which you work can contribute greatly to whether or not you will choose to tell your work colleagues that you are LGBT.

One of my first jobs was working within a small support team where my colleagues were, on average, ten years older than me, and at the time I remember finding it extremely difficult to come out, reassuring myself on a daily basis that I didn’t need to say anything and it didn’t really matter. My relationships with my work colleagues grew over time and I remember that sense of not feeling completely comfortable when discussing life at home, talking about the people in my life or what my plans were for the weekend. Throughout this time I concealed my sexuality and avoided conversations which involved talking about home life or relationships. Having been out to friends and family throughout university, it felt very restrictive that I wasn’t completely myself at work each day.

When I moved on to a slightly larger workplace, I made a conscious decision not to conceal my identity any further, and when I felt comfortable with my colleagues I started feeling free enough to be able to discuss aspects of life which were important to me (namely my partner and our life together). The reaction was great and I felt at ease and accepted. I appreciate that not everyone has an experience like that (and that some people prefer not to come out), but I am grateful for the fact that I have been able to be open while at work and no longer have to conceal an important part of my identity.

I was recently nominated for my personal contribution to the local LGBT community (through GNI) which is a fantastic achievement in itself and one that I am proud of. However, as with all things it really has been a joint effort. I wouldn’t be able to get involved in the various projects and events without the support of the people around me, both in work and at home. I am up against some very tough competition in the award category (who are all fantastic local people), and if I were to come close to winning it would be as a result of all those people who I interact with on a daily basis.

I respect the right to privacy for anyone who chooses not to come out at work (or at home): it is a wholly private issue for them, and everyone has the right to choose. For those people who do want to come out at work or to family/friends but feel restricted, it is worth remembering that we are in a much better position now than we were a decade ago: there has been an positive shift overall in attitudes towards LGBT people and discrimination legislation is more robust. All of these factors should help make the platform of openness a more achievable one if you want to come out, but if you are still uncertain about actually doing so, I would recommend a conversation with someone who has been through the same situation who can advise of their experience and how people around them have reacted. They can also act as a listening ear to talk through any concerns you might have. (For professional LGBT organisations with lots of experience you can speak to The Rainbow Project or Cara-Friend.

I like to reflect back on the changes I have seen in the last ten years while working in Northern Ireland, and I feel that, for the most part, society is changing and life as an LGBT person in NI is now more positive. This is especially the case within the workplace: I have seen how things have progressed and how Diversity & Inclusion initiatives are now front and centre for so many companies, showing the support which employers are giving to their staff. We still have work to do in the LGBT space within society as well as in the workplace, but the strides made over the last twenty years are reassuring and we are closer than ever to enjoying full equality for everyone.

Fantastic inaugural Members Lunch held at The Mac in Belfast last Thursday - all members present: Concentrix, Allstate, Lloyds Banking Group, EY, Public Health Agency, Belfast City Council, Allen & Overy and Pinsent Masons

Short video here with business reps and leaders speaking about diversity and inclusion for Belfast - please share if you can
https://youtu.be/23uW3t_X22Y

Belfast - A Rainbow City A short video looking at the importance of diversity and inclusion for the development of business and the creation of a vibrant and diverse society in North...

We were pleased to host Elyse Cherry last Thursday at an exclusive members lunch event. As one of the Financial Times Top 100 LGBTQ Executives it was fun and inspiring to swap notes with Elyse on diversity perspectives in business, workplaces and civic society.

Honoured to be hosting the Tolerantia Awards in Belfast this year http://www.rainbow-project.org/news/mary-mcaleese-announced-as-guest-of-honour-at-belfast-tolerantia-awards

Mary McAleese announced as Guest of Honour at Belfast Tolerantia Awards The Rainbow Project has announced that former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese will be the Guest of Honour at the European Tolerantia Awards, to be hosted by The Rainbow Project in Titanic Belfa…

We Are Santander- great name for the Santander LGBT network - they were fundraising with brightly coloured cupcakes this week for The Rainbow Project -

Great spread at the Mercer ally event on Friday - brilliant Q&A led by HR director- lovely group of diversity leaders within the organisation

Brilliant event on Tuesday evening to raise money for The Rainbow Project! Out on the Roof sponsored by Allen & Overy, Santander and Barclays - loads of money raised and match funded by our generous and supportive sponsors. Fantastic! http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/belfast-summer-party-in-aid-of-lgbt-project-hosted-by-allen-overy-barclays-and-santander-photos-34934581.html

Belfast summer party in aid of LGBT project hosted by Allen & Overy, Barclays and Santander [Photos] Law firm Allen & Overy and Barclays and Santander teamed up to host a summer networking party in aid of The Rainbow Project, a charity for members of the LGBT community.

here are the follks at Allstate Northern Ireland our newest members with their smart new Embrace network tshirts - look out for them on Saturday marching for the first time.

Delighted to announce Allstate Northern Ireland have become the latest members of the Diversity Champions scheme here in Northern Ireland, launching an LGB&T staff network and supporting pride in Belfast & Foyle - very exciting times ahead

New £30m Allstate office for its 1,300 staff 'shows US firm's commitment to Northern Ireland' Insurance giant Allstate has broken ground on its new £30m headquarters in Belfast, which will house the firm's 1,300 staff.

We are delighted to announce that Allstate Northern Ireland are the latest large scale employer in Northern Ireland to sign up to the Diversity Champions programme - very much looking forward to taking LBG&T diversity initiatives forward across their three sites in Strabane, Derry and Belfast. In the meantime look out for their Embrace LGBT staff and allies network at Pride this year.

Allstate Northern Ireland Embrace gear up for Belfast Pride 2016! Over the past number of months Embrace committee members have worked tirelessly to develop and establish Allstate's very first LGBT network. Embrace are committed to providing a support network for LGBT employees, their friends, and their families. Inclusivity in the workplace is of the utmost importance to us, and we want to celebrate everyone for WHO they are.
On Saturday 6th August we will be at Belfast Pride flying the Flag for Allstate Embrace- we look forward to seeing you there!!

Employment advice clinic running in The Rainbow Project's Foyle office today

Give this interview with Inga Beale a listen over the weekend - really inspiring role model for inclusion and diversity at work http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07bb1vl

Inga Beale, Desert Island Discs - BBC Radio 4 Kirsty Young interviews Inga Beale, CEO of Lloyd's of London.