2019 Past Winner’s Blog  - Championing LGB&TI Inclusion Award - Scottish Government

2019 was quite a year for the Scottish Government’s LGBTI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and other) staff network. Building on the network's earlier success in February 2019 when it won the Stonewall Scotland Employee Network Group of the Year Award, it scooped the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion award for Championing LGB&TI Inclusion. This award recognised their sterling work in building open, inclusive and supportive workplace relationships and promoting equality of treatment for LGBTI+ colleagues working across the Scottish Government.

The network contributed to the Scottish Government's trans and non-binary policy and guidance and arranged awareness events, Pride march groups and a host of social events. Rainbow lanyards were distributed to let LGBTI+ staff and allies express support for each other, and intranet articles highlighted events such as Trans visibility day, Pride, and Bi visibility day. This gave network members valuable opportunities to highlight and talk about their own experiences. Their highly successful poster campaign also raised awareness of LGBT History Month across Scottish Government buildings and Yammer groups for both LGBTI+ staff and for Allies made open communication between members of both networks much easier regardless of their location.

 "We weren't really expecting to win, so it was a lovely surprise when our name was read out", said Network co-chair Rowan Hendry Horne - one of three network members who went to London for the awards ceremony - recalling the moment that the network was named the winner. They were delighted to receive formal recognition of the network's work and found it inspiring to see the other work being done across the country in different parts of the Civil Service and enjoyed the fascinating conversations with colleagues facing the same issues in different ways.

Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans congratulated the network for its hard work and dedication in building an open, inclusive and supportive workplace for LGBTI+ colleagues. She said: 'I am delighted that the network has received this recognition. The group has been a catalyst towards creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels safe and comfortable to bring their whole self to work. But we know that there is still work to be done to ensure that our workplace is free from homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and any other discrimination".

The LGBTI+ network's aim since its win has been to use the award to keep pushing for LGBTI+ staff inclusion and to keep making the Scottish Government a welcoming and supportive place for all LGBTI+ staff to work.