Being human
LGBT History Month is observed across the UK every February. As one of the UK’s biggest employers, we are committed to putting equality and diversity at the heart of our business.
Celebrating LGBT History Month is an important part of our commitment to celebrate our diverse workforce, support LGBT+ equality amongst colleagues, and establish Royal Mail as a true champion of LGBT+ colleagues and the wider LGBT+ community.
Piers Owens is a postman at Northern Ireland mail centre (NIMC). He is also a member of our LGBT+ & Friends steering group.
‘Diversity, to me, means celebrating the differences between people, be they cultural, religious, or regarding our sexuality or gender identity. To celebrate the differences between us all is to celebrate being human itself and the way each of us chooses to live our lives.
‘Royal Mail is an incredibly diverse company employing people from all walks of life. What makes you unique isn't left at the door when you walk in, you carry it with you. It makes up a core aspect of who you are, and by celebrating diversity, you're showing your colleagues that you support them and that you're there for them.
‘I've been out as a gay man in Royal Mail for a good couple of years now and I've received nothing but support from my colleagues. Although I was being supported I felt that we could be doing more for the LGBT colleagues in NIMC, and with the help of my manager, Andy, and my colleagues, we have managed to turn NIMC into a more inclusive place. We went to Belfast Pride for the first time last year, having raised money for Genderjam, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we'll do this year.
‘To be a more positive workplace we need to be supporting our colleagues even when they aren't around. If you hear someone making a certain type of comment, tell that person that those types of comments are simply not appreciated here. It’s important to stand up for one another and be mindful of the things you say to other people. What you say may be a joke to you, but it can unintentionally alienate someone who happens to hear it.’
Supporting LGBT+ colleagues
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Making our business a place where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender colleagues can achieve their potential remains a priority.
Our LGBT+ & Friends steering group was established in 2015 with the goal of creating an accessible network for LGBT+ colleagues and supporters to come together and share their experiences.
To coincide with LGBT History Month, the group is relaunching their newsletter, featuring exciting stories, profiles, upcoming plans and plenty more! If you would like to receive the newsletter you can sign up by emailing lgbt.and.friends@royalmail.com.
They are also looking to grow their fabulous closed Facebook group – the place to be for all things LGBT+ in Royal Mail! To sign up, email lgbt.and.friends@royalmail.com with your pay number and the email address you use to sign into Facebook with, and come and meet our other 250 members!
