INCLUSION PRIORITY AREA
LGBT+
Sexual orientation and gender identity
We have a long-standing reputation as an inclusive and progressive workplace that welcomes LGBT+ colleagues and clients. equaliTW, our LGBT+ network, provides peer support, networking opportunities, strategic advice on issues relevant to the LGBT+ community, and champions inclusion across the firm.
Collaborating with myGwork
Listed as one of myGwork’s LGBT+ friendly employers, we’ve hosted 'LGBT+ 101 Allyship in the Workplace', 'Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace', 'Inclusive Coaching for Managers' and 'Resilience' training sessions for our people.
Members of our network took part in panel sessions as part of WorkPride and also feature in their WorkFair recruitment event. We actively share myGwork resources to raise awareness and support allyship and our co-chairs appeared in Attitude Magazine promoting the LGBT+ inclusive culture at Taylor Wessing.
Proud to be inclusive
During lockdown, our colleagues shared their own Pride stories via our intranet to help promote the LGBT+ agenda and keep pride alive. We continue to add to these stories today. Our straight allies are an integral part of the network, enabling everyone to play a part in promoting LGBT+ equality. We continue to be a Stonewall Diversity Champion.
I’m immensely proud to be the partner champion for LGBT+ inclusion at Taylor Wessing. As well as co-founding Freehold, we have developed a great internal network of LGBT+ colleagues and allies over the years who all work hard to support our people and clients.
Saleem Fazal
Partner
As co-chair of equaliTW I am delighted to see how far we have come in creating an inclusive environment for all our people however they identify. Our strong committee and relationships with external groups, have been integral in promoting awareness of different LGBT+ groups providing safe spaces to have conversations that increase everyone's knowledge.
Robin Panrucker
Head of Talent Development
I am so delighted to join Robin as co-chair of equaliTW. We have such a fantastic and enthusiastic committee and a really engaged network, interested in learning and having fun. As we look ahead, we are excited about the prospect of strengthening our relationships with external LGBT+ groups and with our other internal networks to bring a really intersectional approach to supporting our colleagues and our wider community.
Jo Joyce
Senior Counsel
Marking LGBT+ History Month and Pride month
In February 2022 we commemorated LGBT+ History Month by reflecting on the theme of Politics in Art: The Arc is Long.
In June 2022, our people came together in our London and Liverpool offices to celebrate 50 years of Pride in London. We were delighted that so many allies attended the event to celebrate this with us in person after our Pride Inside and virtual celebrations of previous years. We were joined by speaker Emily Garside, who shared her perspectives on the value of LGBT+ stories in popular culture.
Beyond Pride month we remain committed to providing an open and safe working environment without sexual orientation or gender identity biases which includes working with our local community and other networks groups as well as partnering with places such as the LGBTQ+ Centre and the national LGBT+ Mental Health charity, MindOut.
Opening Doors
Opening Doors is the only dedicated national charity connecting LGBTQ+ people over 50 with activities, events, support and information. We've worked with them and supported the charity since 2016. More recently, we helped make their members feel less alone at Christmas by sending Christmas cards and hampers.
Thank you for all your support, which enabled us to send a personalised card to every member this year. Many hands were aching after the amount of cards that were sent out, but it was totally worth it!
Jonathan Buckerfield
Head of Fundraising and Communication at Opening Doors