PinkNews Awards 2020: Nominees revealed for the Public Sector Equality Award
The PinkNews Awards 2020 took place December 2-4 in association with Amazon.
All of society must do its part in actively pursuing LGBT+ equality and inclusion, and the public sector is no exception.
The Public Sector Equality Award at the PinkNews Awards 2020 celebrates the bodies who have made efforts to pursue LGBT+ equality in their workplaces and in their communities.
All of the nominees for this year’s award showed their dedication and commitment to making their workplaces and communities welcoming environments for LGBT+ people.
The winner will be revealed at the PinkNews Awards 2020, which will take place virtually from December 2-4. The nominees are listed below.
De Montfort University.
De Montfort University has been nominated for the Public Sector Equality Awards at the PinkNews Awards 2020
De Montfort University (DMU), based in Leicester, has worked to create an environment where LGBT+ people have the freedom to be themselves.
Every February the university celebrates DMU Pride, showcasing its support for the LGBT+ community through events taking place across campus.
This year, De Montfort launched an award recognising staff members who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of equality, diversity and inclusion.
In addition, the university has placed in the top 100 on Stonewall’s Workplace Equality List for the last five years running in recognition of its commitment to LGBT+ students and employees on campus.
Intellectual Property Office.
The Intellectual Property Office has been nominated for the Public Sector Equality Awards at the PinkNews Awards 2020
The Intellectual Property Office has shown its commitment to LGBT+ equality and inclusion through LGBT+ training programmes, unconscious bias training, mentoring and role model training.
The office has sought to make everyone at the organisation feel comfortable being themselves, and its extensive LGBT+ inclusion activities are open to all employees.
As part of its efforts towards bettering inclusion, the Intellectual Property Office produces blogs, podcasts and videos about LGBT+ identities and hosts lectures on LGBT+ topics, such as the Stonewall riots and the legacy of the trial of Oscar Wilde.
The government body is also committed to intersectionality, and these ideals are reinforced through its peer-led LGBT+ network iPride.
Nottingham City Council.
Nottingham City Council has been nominated for the Public Sector Equality Awards at the PinkNews Awards 2020
Nottingham City Council has firmly committed itself to celebrating the LGBT+ community by celebrating LGBT History Month, Bi Visibility Day, Pride celebrations, and many more.
In addition, Nottingham City Council educated the public about sexual orientation and gender identity at its City Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Day this year.
The council also marked this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) with a candlelit vigil, proving that it is dedicated to the entire LGBT+ community.
Finally, the council also offers financial support to Nottinghamshire Pride. Last year, it rolled out a range of banners across the city promoting the event and had a number of historic buildings lit up in the rainbow colours throughout Pride Month.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has been nominated for the Public Sector Equality Awards at the PinkNews Awards 2020
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has shown its commitment to the LGBT+ community through its LGBT+ Staff Network, articles about the queer community shared with employees, and through a series of coffee mornings and other events dedicated to the LGBT+ community.
The council also engages with the wider community on queer issues. It marked LGBT+ History Month with a public event where queer people took part in a panel discussion.
Furthermore, they have created ally badges and lanyards for LGBT+ staff and allies to promote visibility in the workplace.
The council also hosted an LGBT+ summer event attended by young people, which featured interactive sessions with Pride Cymru as well as equality and diversity training. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council was the only Welsh local authority to make the Stonewall’s Workplace Equality list in 2020.
The University of Manchester.
The University of Manchester has been nominated for the Public Sector Equality Awards at the PinkNews Awards 2020
The University of Manchester has promoted LGBT+ inclusion through its staff group ALLOUT, its largest network group with almost 250 members.
The group hosts events and activities throughout the year based around LGBT+ History Month; International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia; Pride; Bi Visibility Day and Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR).
In addition, the university set up an Allies group in 2016 which has 213 members, with each members receiving training and materials to show that they care about the LGBT+ community.
The University of Manchester has also worked to ensure that there are adequate counselling supports for LGBT+ students and has sought to ensure sport on campus is fully inclusive of queer people.
The winner will be revealed at the PinkNews Awards, which will take place virtually from December 2-4.
