Stonewall 100: Welsh assembly ‘best place to be gay’
National Assembly tops list of LGBT-friendly employers
Advocacy group Stonewall has released its annual list of the UK’s best employers for LGBT workers.
The National Assembly for Wales, based in Cardiff, topped the ranking of 100 workplaces judged to be particularly LGBT-friendly.
The devolved parliament received recognition for its LGBT support network, OUT-NAW, and outreach work which has included letting local LGBT groups host events in the assembly building free of charge.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In a tweet, the Assembly said it was “incredibly honoured” to receive the accolade:
Other employers in the top ten include financial services firm Citi, Newcastle City Council and Cheshire Fire and Rescue.
Each firm was ranked on 10 factors, says The Independent, including “career development, line management, community engagement, training, policy, and whether or not there is an employee network group”.
For the first time, the list assessed employers on their inclusivity towards transgender employees as well as gay, lesbian and bisexual workers.
Stonewall research has found that half of all trans people hide their identity at work for fear of discrimination or abuse, while 12% have experience violence in the workplace at the hands of colleagues or customers.
The Welsh National Assembly was praised for taking measures to support trans and nonbinary employees, such as “updating workplace systems to offer an Mx title, as opposed to Mr, Ms or Mrs, as well as space for staff to give their own gender term on forms”, City AM reports.
Other organisations commended for their commitment to transgender inclusivity include Sunderland housing association Gentoo and the University of Manchester.
On an industry-by-industry basis, Lloyds was named the most LGBT-friendly workplace in the finance sector, while the Royal Navy and Royal Marines came out on top among defence and security employers.
Here are the top ten LGBT-friendly employees for 2018. The full list can be accessed here.
- National Assembly for Wales
- Pinsent Masons LLP
- Gentoo
- Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Baker McKenzie
- Berwin Leighton Paisner
- Citi
- Newcastle City Council
- Victim Support
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trans prisoners: a ‘conflict of rights’?
Talking Point Case of where to house trans woman convicted of rape causes uproar in Scotland
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Breaking the law is a resigning matter’
Instant Opinion Your digest of analysis from the British and international press
By The best columns Published
-
‘No-fault divorce is an indescribable relief’
Instant Opinion Your digest of analysis from the British and international press
By The best columns Published
-
‘Cop26 leaders need to replicate the cooperation seen in space’
Instant Opinion Your digest of analysis from the British and international press
By The best columns Published
-
Instant Opinion: ‘Whose party is this anyway? That’s the question gripping Liberal Democrats’
In Depth Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Monday 16 September
By The Week Staff Published
-
Dallas deaths: why are black transgender women being killed?
In Depth Police call in FBI amid fears of serial attacker
By The Week Staff Published
-
Straight Britons ‘care more about animal rights than gay equality’
In Depth Survey by Pride London reveals huge divide between LGBT and straight people when it comes to equality and tolerance
By The Week Staff Published
-
Danica Roem: who is first transgender woman to be elected to US state legislature?
In Depth The heavy metal singer, journalist, and stepmum just made history as the first transgender state lawmaker elected in the US
By Kyler Sumter Published