Straight Allies

14
➜ TIP
Make your support for gay equality public in
publications, on your website or on your intranet
The unique position that leaders of organisations have means they
have the power to create a platform for others, particularly gay
employees, to be heard throughout the organisation.
Leadership is about giving people opportunity. I can’t speak on
behalf of women, gay people and lesbians in the organisation.
What I can do though is make sure that they speak for
themselves and that their voice is heard. The objective is mine,
however, which is a fairer and better environment and culture,
but the message isn’t simply mine alone.
Bill Payne, Chief Executive, Metropolitan Housing Partnership
Straight allies running organisations know that they need to draw
on talent from all sections of the population and therefore must
create workplaces where everyone can be themselves. These leaders
also understand that when inclusive conditions don’t exist, the
productivity of their staff is directly affected.
I want the best people from across society; I don’t want
anybody excluded because they don’t look right, or because
their sexual orientation is an issue.
Alex Marshall, Chief Constable, Hampshire Constabulary
If somebody is gay and wants come out but doesn’t feel
comfortable doing so, that says something about how they feel
about the organisation they work in. It implies that they’re not
going to bring their whole persona into the workplace and into
their engagement with colleagues. That isn’t a good thing for the
individual. And it isn’t a good thing for the organisation. Glenn
Earle, Chief Operating Officer of European Businesses, Goldman Sachs