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Hand Holding at the Foreign Office
04 Jun 2009
On Wednesday 20 May 2009, Families and Friends of Lesbians And Gays (FFLAG) hosted a lunchtime event in the Durbar Court to mark International Day against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHO). The theme for the event was: "Tackling Homophobia Abroad begins at Home". Susan Le Jeune, Human Resources Director, kicked off the event. She said the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has come so far from the days before 1991 when homosexuality was a bar to employment in the Diplomatic Service. Susan said that the FCO is committed to all staff reaching their full potential and for the Office to be more representative of the diversity of the UK population. More photos here.
Elly Barnes, Head of year at Stoke Newington School, then gave a vibrant and fun presentation with some of her pupils of the work they are doing to present positive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender role models within the school.
School initiatives include children being excluded for homophobic bullying and making it easier to report bullying; celebration of diversity through the curriculum; a school code of conduct; and safe zones for pupils and teachers to come out. The pupils sang, gave talks and the presentation was very impressive as well as great fun. Elly ended by urging staff at the Foreign Office to hold hands with someone of the same sex for A Day In Hand.
Other speakers included Michael Shearer, Assistant Director (Diversity & Equality), Madeleine Lasko from Stonewall and George Sherriff, co-chair of FLAGG.
The conclusion of the research by stonewall was that "people perform better when they can be themselves".
PUS Peter Ricketts gave some concluding remarks and stressed the importance of the FCO celebrating diversity and for all staff being able to reach their full potential. The event was a fun, informative and thought-provoking demonstration of the way that all staff can help to tackle homophobia through their work.
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