Power in numbers: The role of LGBT+ staff networks in education, awareness and inclusion

Wed 25 Oct 2023

Hear Saorsa-Amatheia Tweedale, co-chair of the civil service LGBT+ Network, give hands-on advice at 'Supporting LGBT+ at Work: Pride in Diversity' on 9 November

Saorsa-Amatheia Tweedale has been actively involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout her 22-year career in the civil service, from chairing both the Jobcentre Plus and the Department for Work and Pensions gender networks to helping set up the department's first Transgender Network. 

Her two-year experience as co-chair of DWP Pride, the department's LGBT network, paved the way for Tweedale to become co-chair of the Civil Service LGBT+ Network alongside co-chair Jefferson Welsby. Speaking at the upcoming conference 'Supporting LGBT+ at Work: Pride in Diversity', Tweedale will share hands-on advice for driving innovation, increasing participation, and new ways of working for the benefit of LGBT+ colleagues and allies.

"We are not afraid to speak truth to power or to tackle areas of contention in a constructive way that seeks resolution of differences while always defending the LGBT+ community," Tweedale and Jefferson said in their candidate statement, noting both are a proven, innovative team who get results. "We would now like the opportunity to put our skills and knowledge to use across the civil service networks."

Tweedale understands intersectionality and strongly believes it to be the key to working on diversity and inclusion within organisations. "Within DWP, we have forged links with other staff networks and have run events for International Women's Day, Black History Month, and Mental Health Week, to name only a few. We work to break down barriers between the LGBT+ community and other demographics," Tweedale and Welsby said in the statement, noting this work has led to the development of an LGBT+ Faith and Belief strand as well as supporting partners and parents of the trans people group, among other initiatives.

The session 'Power in numbers: The Role of LGBT+ Staff Networks in education, awareness and inclusion' will see Tweedale address key challenges that organisations face: how to increase visibility of under-represented groups and how to gain executive support and a wider leadership buy-in.

The online conference 'Supporting LGBT+ at Work: Pride in Diversity' on 9 November is CPD-certified and contributes to your professional development.
 

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