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Kemptown MP calls for transgender people to be included in Stonewall’s next Top 100 Employers Guide

Besi Besemar January 21, 2015

Simon Kirby, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has called on the CEO of Stonewall, when compiling the next Top 100 Employers Guide, to include the treatment of transgender people by their employers.

Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP

STONEWALL, the LGB Equality Charity, recently announced the results of its Top 100 Employers – The Definitive Guide to the Best Places to Work for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Staff in 2015.

As in previous years, the guide does not consider the treatment of transgender people by their employers.

Mr Kirby recently praised the guide for acknowledging those organisations that work hard to promote equality in the workplace, congratulating both Brighton and Hove City Council and American Express on their inclusion in the Top 100.

He has, however, also followed up on this year’s report by writing to Ruth Hunt, the CEO of Stonewall, to ask that the next report does not exclude transgender people, including their treatment in the assessment of organisations to show which are the best places for all LGBT staff to work.

Mr Kirby said: “I believe that this guide is a useful tool in highlighting organisations that are successfully promoting equality within the workplace, but it is important the transgender community is not forgotten about.

“That is why I am calling for the guide to be expanded to include the treatment of transgender people in the workplace.

“Too often the rights and treatment of transgender people are overlooked, and I hope that following my representations, Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers Guide will be expanded to judge organisations on the treatment of all LGBT people in 2016.”

Since her appointment in 2014, Stonewall’s new CEO Ruth Hunt has been engaged in extensive consultations with representatives from the trans communities to discuss how best to work together in future.

A spokesperson for Stonewall said:“Our Chief Executive, Ruth Hunt, has been clear that we’re committed to being a better ally to trans people, including in our work with employers. We’ve undertaken an extensive consultation with trans communities and will reveal the full details of our future plans shortly.”

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