FEBRUARY: LGBTQ+ History Month

February Month Focus

This LGBT History Month, we’re focussing on the lives and work of individuals and employers recognising why February is an important time. LGBT History Month was founded by Schools Out, who have been campaigning for LGBT inclusive education for 47 years.

LGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements
Supporters of the event countered that it is important to challenge heterosexist attitudes in society. LGBTQ+ History Month is intended to be an annual event in the United Kingdom taking place every February to coincide with a slower month in the schools calendar.

The overall aim of LGBTQ+ History month is to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public.

LGBTQ+ matters to us

We created VERCIDA to be the service of choice for job-seekers looking to work in diverse environments. And the information we gather from our users suggests a much higher disclosure rate of LGBTQ+ status - around 5.34%. As an organisation, that’s great - we’re truly championing a comfortable environment that allows people to bring their whole self to work. On the flip side, it suggests for every person out and self-declaring, there are two that are not.

How big is the UK’s LGBTQ+ community?

The LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall agrees with us - suggesting the community is actually between 5% and 7%. Others have put it as high as one in 10. The shortfall between the estimate and the statistical data is down to people being reluctant to come out, the rights group says. The problem, they say, is that people can be honest with an anonymous survey but struggle harder to be open with family and colleagues.

That’s because it can be a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ employees. Half of trans employees are so worried about workplace discrimination they have hidden the details of their sexuality, said a Stonewall survey earlier this year. More disturbingly, one in eight have been physically attacked by colleagues or customers. That’s a shocking figure. That figure must change.

At VERCIDA, we believe supportive environments are incredibly important to helping people achieve their potential. We assist our users to find people and environments that allow them to be open, honest and successful. Like Stonewall, we think there needs to be better recognition of the discrimination and anti-LGBTQ+ abuse that still exists. And better solutions for smashing down and removing those barriers. We’re proud to be using technology to tackle those challenges.

LGBTQ+ HISTORY

FEBRUARY

February Month Focus

This LGBT History Month, we’re focussing on the lives and work of individuals and employers recognising why February is an important time. LGBT History Month was founded by Schools Out, who have been campaigning for LGBT inclusive education for 47 years.

February Month Highlights

LGBTQ+ Figures in History: James Baldwin

EMPLOYERS WITH LGBTQ+ INITIATIVES

Articles

7 tips for raising a transgender child

Caroline Griffin Pain on the OUTstanding 50 LGBT+ Executives List

"Being an ally and champion of the LGBTQ+ community is something I have been passionate about my whole career, and I am thrilled that together with the Colt community Read more...

Why You should care about LGBT History Month

LGBTQ+ matters to us