Marking the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia

Today, 17 May, Anglo American and De Beers Group are proud to stand with the LGBT+ community and celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

Thanks to huge efforts by brave activists, we have seen progress over recent years in claiming rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBT+) people. Yet there continues to be widespread discrimination and violence in many countries and we know that members of the LGBT+ community still face injustice and live in fear and danger all over the world.

Our work environment is a key place where we can help to tackle damaging assumptions and prejudice – overt or subconscious.

An inclusive workplace

At Anglo American and De Beers Group we are committed to providing a safe environment where every individual is comfortable about telling people they work with, about who they really are. Nobody should feel that they can’t be themselves at work. This kind of exclusion stifles the innovative and diverse contributions our business thrives on and prevents us from feeling like we truly belong.

I am proud to be Global Executive Sponsor of our Real You colleague network – a network committed to helping our business to continue to make positive changes to attitudes to LGBT+ people at work. The network is part of our commitment to promoting an inclusive and diverse environment where everybody is valued and respected for who they are and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Every one of us has a part to play in creating the inclusive environment we are striving for. It is our duty to make sure that all places of work are safe and welcoming environments. One of the ways we can do this is by consciously challenging inappropriate language and behaviour where we see it and becoming a visible ally to our LGBT+ colleagues.