Straight Allies

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‘‘ It affects everyone so it’s important that straight people do pick up on inappropriate stuff they hear because that will really help 40 gay colleagues that aren’t out at work. They might leave work because there’s a lot of homophobic ‘banter’ – so you could lose a good employee just because of stupid conversations in the office. Alex Little, IT Manager
<strong>Straight</strong> allies agree that one of the most effective ways to make a difference is to challenge homophobic behaviour. They know that this type of negative workplace culture affects everyone in an organisation. A joke email went round – the punch line was at the expense of gay people. It was sent to lots of people, and everybody was replying saying ‘That’s really funny’, and adding to what I felt was the insult to gay people. I replied ‘I didn’t find it funny, and in fact I found it insulting’. Included in the email were a few gay people but it wasn’t on their behalf that I did it. I just felt I wouldn’t find it funny to joke about being black, being a gypsy or any kind of stereotype. It just seems cheap, and a bit like being a bully. Martin, Graphic Designer ➜ TIP Use personal examples to explain why gay equality is important to you Simply explaining to colleagues why something they’ve said is inappropriate is often an effective way to make them think about it and to change their behaviour. If you feel it’s bad you should speak up – it shouldn’t be seen as just the diversity person’s responsibility. There are very few organisations that won’t support you in that. Personally I wouldn’t work at a firm where I didn’t have that support. Corey Dixon, Associate, The Parthenon Group We’ve all been bullied at some time. Sometimes it takes that voice to stand up. If someone’s doing something that you don’t believe in, you should have the courage in your convictions to say what you believe. It’s a fundamental thing to do. You don’t want to be sheep all your life. You need to lead as well. Martin, Graphic Designer STRAIGHT ALLIES AT EVERY LEVEL 41
Page 1: STRAIGHT ALLIES How they help creat
Page 4 and 5: STRAIGHT ALLIES How they help creat
Page 6 and 7: INTRODUCTION 2 ‘Straight ally’
Page 8 and 9: 4 Being gay in the workplace Many l
Page 10 and 11: 6 It gives it greater credence by t
Page 12 and 13: 8 ‘‘ The explicit reason why I
Page 14 and 15: AT THE TOP 10 2CHAPTER Leaders at t
Page 16 and 17: 12 ‘‘ You’ve got to have an o
Page 18 and 19: 14 ➜ TIP Make your support for ga
Page 20 and 21: 16 Straight allies also believe tha
Page 22 and 23: 18 Formal structures help straight
Page 24 and 25: SENIOR MANAGERS 20 3CHAPTER Straigh
Page 26 and 27: 22 Straight allies in senior leader
Page 28 and 29: 24 Straight allies in senior positi
Page 30 and 31: 26 ‘‘ I believe my role is to f
Page 32 and 33: LINE MANAGERS 28 4CHAPTER Straight
Page 34 and 35: 30 Good line managers feel responsi
Page 36 and 37: 32 ‘‘ A lot of people will say
Page 38 and 39: 34 I have a gay member of staff who
Page 40 and 41: ‘‘ I’m only a little manager,
Page 42 and 43: STRAIGHT ALLIES AT EVERY LEVEL 38 5
Page 46 and 47: 42 I was on the help desk and a col
Page 48 and 49: TOP TEN TIPS 44 1 2 3 4 5 6 GET TO
Page 50: Stonewall workplace@stonewall.org.u

Straight Allies

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