MOD LGBTQ+ Allies Programme shortlisted for a Diversity and Inclusion Award

In 2019 a group of volunteers responded to a call to action from Defence's senior LGBTQ+ Champion to help make Defence a more inclusive workplace.   

These volunteers gave a little of their time to design, develop and ultimately deliver a programme to: 

• Grow the number of visible allies across Defence – both military and civilian 
• Equip all Allies with the right tools to be positive role models for Allyship
• Improve LGBTQ+ inclusion and acceptance in Defence

They were recently shortlisted for the Diversity and Inclusion Award, Government Project Delivery Profession Awards for their hard work embedding a Defence-wide LGBTQ+ Allyship programme. The programme's Authentic Allyship workshops have been delivered to over 1000 colleagues across Defence, and over 350 people have signed up to be allies. They've also showcased experiences of LGBTQ+ colleagues and the challenges they have faced, recommending tools that individuals can use to promote allyship. 

What is the LGBTQ+ Allies programme?

• A series of “Authentic Allyship” workshops - including testimonials from LGBTQ+ colleagues on the challenges they’ve faced.  The workshops are designed to be delivered to teams on demand, some of which have been attended by up to 80 people.    
• Monthly drop-in sessions on topics aimed at increasing understanding on LGBTQ+ issues; these have included guest speakers representing different aspects of the LGBTQ+ spectrum giving their lived experiences, and a discussion on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people travelling overseas. 
• An internal resource and sign-up list for current and potential Allies, including sample personal objectives and reading list. 

The programme has been identified as a model for how Defence can operate wider Allyship programmes, contributing to the Defence's Diversity and Inclusion strategy which includes commitments to eliminate bullying, harassment and discrimination, and increase representation of under-represented groups. 

What is an ally?

An LGBTQ+ Ally is anyone, irrespective of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, who takes positive action or models' behaviour to improve inclusion and acceptance for LGBTQ+ people.  

Sam des Forges, Director of Diversity and Inclusion and LGBTQ+ Champion, has given her support to the programme: 

 “The MOD’s LGBTQ+ Ally programme is a fantastic effort that is making a real positive difference to how defence feels for LGBTQ+ colleagues. 

“I love the energy, I love the network, and the fact that it came from staff organising themselves makes it 100% authentic. It shows what public servants can do when they bring their professional skills to bear on an issue, they are passionate about. 

“Congratulations to the team for being shortlisted in the Government Project Delivery Profession Awards. They deserve the recognition for creating something so helpful and so needed during lockdown, and we’ll be aiming to build on what they’ve achieved for our wider D&I efforts.”