LSE named as a top LGBTQ+ UK employer

The LSE has been named one of the top employers for lesbian, gay, bi, and trans staff in 2019. This comes after the publication of Stonewall’s top 100 list for LGBTQ+ employers was published this year.

The LSE ranks 92 out of 100 on the list, above institutions including Oxford University. Companies topping the list included: Cheshire Fire and Rescue service, MI5, and Pinsent Masons, an international law firm.

The LSE performed particularly well in its work to ‘develop strong policies and procedures to support LGBT staff’. This included the introduction of a Trans Champion who is a named contact on Spectrum’s website, LSE’s LGBTQ+ network.

The LSE have a longstanding history supporting the LGBTQ+ movement. The Gay Liberation Front was founded at the LSE in 1970. The LSE also hold the Hall-Carpenter archives, one of ‘Britain’s largest LGBTQ+ collections of images and ephemera’. As well as its historical roots, LSE is part of Stonewall’s Global Diversity Champions programme which is a leading employers’ programme for ensuring all LGBT staff are accepted without exception in the workplace.

Chair of Spectrum, Andrew Sherwood, said in a quote to the LSE:  “Spectrum is delighted the School has now entered the Stonewall Top 100 Employers for LGBT inclusion in the workplace.  It is testament to the enthusiasm and dedication over a number of years, not only of the volunteers who support Spectrum, but colleagues across the School, who work towards ensuring LSE is a place where individuals can come to work, and to study, and be themselves.”

The LSE also has a strong LGBTQ+ student community which also helps to drive forward inclusivity and diversity. Pride Alliance is the main student society representing the LSE LGBTQ+ students and allies and has a large presence on campus. Pride Alliance, in an official comment to The Beaver says:

‘It’s excellent that LSE is getting commended for LGBT inclusion work, but it’s important to continuously evaluate the welfare of LGBTQIA+ people in the workplace and make sure that trans inclusion is worked on specifically. LSE also needs to make a commitment to ensuring its research doesn’t create an antagonistic environment for LGBTQIA+ people (particularly trans people), and supporting the student community’s organising efforts, for not just careers, but educational and campaigning events. This support needs to be given to not just SU positions but societies and individual student organisers. QTIPOC (one of the most underserved groups of LSE) events have had particular difficulty receiving funding.’

GLF Plaque at LSE Campus

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