Two colleges are among the most LGBT-friendly places to work in the UK, according to charity Stonewall.
City of Glasgow College and Newham College, in east London, feature on the LGBT charity’s top-100 employers list. The rankings have been running since 2005 and this year saw 445 organisations vie for a place on the index.
City of Glasgow College is the fourth FE college to make the list since 2008, with Newham picking up the accolade eight times in the same time frame. Somerset College has featured twice, and Vision West Nottinghamshire College once. Sixteen universities feature on the list this year and the Department for Education is also listed. Last year, only one college, Newham College, was included.
A 2016 report by the University and College Union called Pride and Prejudice in Education, found that one-in-three FE staff reported seeing another colleague act aggressively towards someone because of their sexual orientation. A 2018 Stonewall survey found that more than a third of LGBT workers across the UK (35 per cent) have hidden their identity at work and 18 per cent have been the target of negative comments from colleagues because of their identity.
'People who can be themselves fully achieve great things'
Paul Little, principal and chief executive at City of Glasgow College, said the college serves a diverse community, adding: "Our whole learning environment together with students and staff, policies and practices rightly reflects that multiplicity.
“Equality, diversity and inclusiveness are at the heart of all that we do, so to be one of only five Scottish employers to feature in this year’s list is an outstanding achievement for our college and for those who work and study here.”
Paul Stephen, principal and chief executive at Newham College, said it was wonderful to have been ranked so highly. He added: “We’re extremely pleased because the college is dedicated to championing equality and diversity within its workforce and among its students.
“Our LGBT committee pioneers a lot of positive initiatives, such as ‘Straight Allies’, which involves staff who actively support their LGBT colleagues, to maintain an open environment where everyone feels comfortable. After all, love makes the world go round; respect keeps it on its axis. People who can be themselves fully achieve great things.”
Laura Russell, Stonewall head of policy said: "LGBT-inclusive employers like Newham College and City of Glasgow College can play a powerful role in affecting positive social change. Displaying such a strong commitment to LGBT equality helps build an inclusive environment where all staff and students feel more able to be themselves. This is something every college should strive to build.
"Being a more LGBT-inclusive employer is a process that can start with everyday actions. This can range from an activity like pledging support during Pride or Trans Day of Remembrance, hosting LGBT networking events, profiling LGBT role models or offering diversity training to staff. Each of these kinds of initiatives helps make an environment where LGBT staff and students can be themselves and, because of that, thrive."
