LGBTI workplace inclusion to take pride of place

IN a rare sign of solidarity, six of Australia’s leading CEOs will be brought together next week to discuss the importance of LGBTI inclusion at a major workplace diversity conference in Sydney.

Taking place over December 2-3 at the Mercure Hotel in Sydney’s CBD, the Pride in Practice LGBTI workplace conference will also hear from Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Gillian Triggs, who will outline recent amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act and what it mean for employers and LGBTI employees.

Conference organiser Dawn Hough, from Pride in Diversity, told the Star Observer the workplace inclusivity group had now come on board with next year’s Bingham Cup international gay rugby tournament as a community partner in a move to help spread the importance of creating non-discriminatory workplace environments.

“LGBTI inclusion had been referred to as the ‘new frontier’ of diversity and inclusion and can no longer be ignored. It is fast becoming the new imperative for organisations that want to differentiate themselves in this space,” she said.

“Job seekers are becoming more selective and actively looking for organisations active in creating inclusive cultures where they can be themselves.”

She said the conference will highlight the initiatives of Australia’s leading employers in this space and chief executives from six of Australia’s top seven companies will discuss LGBTI issues and why inclusion is good for business. The Gender Centre, ACON and LGBTI Christian advocate, and Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International’s Anthony Venn-Brown are also among those from the LGBTI community to address the corporate heavyweights.

INFO: Pride in Practice conference, December 2-3, Mercure Hotel, Haymarket 2000. Visit here to register for the conference or further information.