Brands lead the way in LGBTQ+ inclusion. Advertising’s LGBTQ+ lobby, Outvertising, calls on agencies to step up their game.
A major report released today has shown that agencies lag way behind their client partners when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Stonewall’s Equality Index ranks the UK’s top employers in terms of their LGBTQ+ inclusion. The detailed measurement process assesses organisations’ work, how well it understands employees’ experiences, how well they show commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and encourages organisations to use the index as a developmental plan.
In the list dominated by civil service and government organisations, GSK leads the brands in the top ten, closely followed by Citi. Vodafone also makes it into the top 20. Channel 4 and Sky also make it into the top 50, being the only media owners to make the list. The only agency to appear in the top 100 is Dentsu Aegis – a new entrant for 2020.
Tom Amies-Cull, Global Operations Officer, Media, Dentsu Aegis Network and Exec sponsor of their LGBTQ+ group &Proud said,
“Breaking into Stonewall’s Top 100 is a fantastic benchmark, backing up what we’ve heard from our people across the business.
I’m extremely grateful for everything the people working tirelessly to help us achieve this accolade have done - ranging from spearheading new policies and providing role model training through to building a community across our network as well as with key partners in the industry. The &Proud team have done a phenomenal job focusing the efforts and galvanising support from right across our business, top to bottom. 2020 will be an exciting year for the &Proud team as we build on recent achievements – this is just the beginning.”
Advertising’s LGBTQ+ lobby group Outvertising is calling on all agencies, media and creative alike to step up and address visible LGBTQ+ inclusion in their workplace and start doing the work to get on the list.
“It’s more important than ever that ad-land steps up and starts taking spots on Stonewall’s Equality Index. We know it’s not easy to make it into the top 100, and we don’t know how many agencies tried and failed, so congratulations to Dentsu Aegis and we hope they will encourage others to follow them. One agency on the list is a start, but we must be very clear here, it’s categorically not enough.
“In a time where hate crime is on the rise and division is increasing, as an industry, we have to find as many ways as possible to show that we’re open, we’re inclusive and the LGBTQ+ community is welcome in our ranks.” says Outvertising’s Communications Director Lucy McKillop.
“We predict that as more ad-land organisations appear on the list so will LGBTQ+ inclusion in the work produced and shown to the public, which currently sits at a disappointing level,” added Lucy. “Only with real change internally will we see real change externally.”
Outvertising is not for profit and entirely volunteer-run by individuals who work in the advertising and marketing sector, campaigning for greater and fairer LGBTQ+ inclusion in advertising and a prejudice-free creative workplace.
For more information please contact Lucy McKillop on 07983 701332
Original release on Thursday 30 January 2020