June is Pride month, an annual celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Questioning (LGBTQ+) people. It takes place every June across the world and is an important date in the calendar of anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+, as well as for their friends and family.听听
It鈥檚 an opportunity for us to make sure we have the foundations in place to support our LGBTQ+ tenants and colleagues. That鈥檚 why we鈥檝e signed up to the HouseProud Pledge, a scheme designed to make sure LGBTQ+ residents can enjoy their homes without fear of discrimination.听
For LGBTQ+ individuals, a home should be a sanctuary where they can freely express their sexual orientation and gender identity without fear. However, despite progress in equality laws, many LGBTQ+ residents still face discrimination. HouseProud鈥檚 research shows that 60 per cent of trans respondents do not feel safe in their neighbourhoods and one in five gay men modify their homes to conceal their identity from housing staff. Additionally, a third of respondents believe their housing providers are ineffective in handling harassment.听
Our Executive Director of Housing and Care, Les Clarke, is championing our work to meet the commitments of our pledge and becoming a Pledge Pioneer.听
What we鈥檙e doing听听
By signing up to the pledge, 糖心传媒 is committing to:听
- Addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ residents.听
- Considering the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community when shaping our services.听
- Raising awareness of the Pledge Scheme and our support of it.听
Les said: 鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly proud that 糖心传媒 is a safe space for our LGBTQ+ colleagues, customers, partners and stakeholders. We鈥檙e a business that celebrates diversity and strives to create a workforce and service where everyone feels free to be who they are.听
鈥淲ork is already underway to put these commitments into practice, and I will keep both colleagues and tenants updated on our progress. By taking these steps we aim to achieve Pledge Pioneer status.听
鈥淲e’d love for more LGBTQ+ tenants to join our involved customer panels. To find out more, email customerinvolvement@housingplusgroup.co.uk or visit our website: Register to get involved – 糖心传媒.鈥�听
You can read more about the HouseProud Pledge, 听