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us 2016 roundup plPride Colleague coming out stories Getting their act together? Respect meets Peter Batt And much more...
Respect Magazine ● November 2016
e m o c wel welcome
Welcome to Respect, the magazine for the UK's most LGBT+-friendly retailer, the Co-op.
Ben
Love it or hate it, Pride is still a really important event in the LGBT+ calendar. And one which celebrates the diversity within our community, while also recognising the struggles we still face. Find out more about what we got up to at Pride in this issue. National Coming Out Day has also come and gone. A lot of people view coming out as a onetime thing, but the reality is that friends and family are only the beginning of a lifetime of coming out. Thanks to the colleagues who shared their stories in this issue. You may also have noticed that we’ve got a new logo and we hope you love it as much as we do. We’ve also made a bit of a change in how we refer to ourselves, we’re now and LGBT+ network. It's only a small thing, but we think it helps us to be more inclusive. Co p y r i g h t ©2 0 1 6T h eCo o p e r a t i v eGr o u pL t d , a l l r i g h t sr e s e r v e d . Un l e s so t h e r wi s es t a t e d , a l l c o n t e n t i nt h i sp u b l i c a t i o ni sp r o p e r t yo f T h eCo o p e r a t i v eGr o u pL t d . Un a u t h o r i s e dd u p l i c a t i o n , c o p y i n ga n d r e d i s t r i b u t i o n( e i t h e r i nf u l l o r i np a r t ) i ss t r i c t l yp r o h i b i t e d .
contents
Amelia
A word from This edition's editors, Amelia Cargo and Ben Brosnan
................................
Editors’ note
A beautiful game Stonewall's new research into Homophobia in football Respect Newsdesk
#prideincoop 2016 Pride roundup
My first Pride
Respect meets... Peter Batt We have a chat with our new Senior Champion for Retail
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
Coming out LGBT+ colleagues tell us their stories
and more...
news
. . . k s e d
The announcement follows Theresa May's pledge to implement similar legislation which will pardon over 49,000 men who were convicted of homosexuality in England and Wales in 1967.
Bi s hopofMa nc hes t e r v ol unt eer sf orLGBT + c har i t y The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Dr David Walker, is one of the most proLGBT+ voices within the senior ranks of the Church of England. He became an honorary member of the LGBT Foundation’s Village Angels, who provide vital support services to people in distress on the gay scene.
B o yme e t s Gi r l a x e d b yt h eB B C
Trans sitcom Boy Meets Girl has been axed after just two series, the BBC has confirmed.
desk. ..
I s l eo f Ma nt oi n t r o d u c e g a yp a r d o nl a w
…..........................................................................................................................
breaking n e ws
news
Respect Magazine ● November 2016
The show was first commissioned in 2014, following an exhaustive BBC talent search aiming to develop a show focussed on the transgender community.
It has received a broadly positive reaction from critics and fans – but after the second series failed to prove a ratings hit this year, the BBC has confirmed it will not be coming back for a third run.
…............................................
British scientists could be on the brink of creating a cure for HIV
A British man living with HIV could become the first person to be cured of the disease as
scientists edge closer to a irreversible cure.
Scientists and doctors from five leading British universities teamed up to design the cure. 50
people took part in a trial of the treatment and one patient is showing signs that he might be cured.
The 44 year old man’s early tests failed to detect any trace of HIV in his system. However, those working on the trial
programme expect to wait for a few months longer before confirming whether the treatment has worked fully.
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
A not so
Respect Magazine ● November 2016
l u f i t u a e b game
Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are still
From a young age, many lesbian, gay, bi and trans
too widespread in sport. New research for
people get the message that they are not welcome
Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign shows
in sport.
that:
You can change this l 72 per cent of football fans have heard anti-LGBT+ remarks at games over the last five years
l One in five 18 to 24-year-old sports fans say they’d be embarrassed if their favourite player came out
To make sport everyone’s game we need to come together to show that we support LGBT+ fans and players – as fans, players, clubs, leagues, governing bodies and sponsors. Whether or not you love sport, you can still play your part in helping the next generation of LGBT+ people thrive in sport.
l Young sports fans are twice as
Sign Stonewall's pledge and share your
likely to say anti-LGBT+ language is harmless if it’s just meant as 'banter'
commitment on social media, tag five friends who love sport and ask them to make a commitment too
............................................... e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
Respect Magazine ● November 2016
We showed #prideincoop
r e m m u s s i h t
This year we supported five Prides across the country – Brighton, Manchester, Blackpool, London and Doncaster. Over 150 colleagues joined us in parades and hundreds more shared their #prideincoop stories on social media. We gave over 15 shops Pride makeovers as a way of showing our support for the LGBT+ people in those communities. Here’s a summary of what we did at the different Prides we went to:
Blackpool Organised by Respect member, Jackson Mills from our Harewood Road store in Lancashire, Blackpool Pride saw over 50 colleagues from
Manchester Our parade entry was lead by our fabulous Funeralcare brass band and ‘Elvis’, Insurance’s emergency response vehicle, which was pimped out in rainbow flag colours for the occasion.
around the North West brave the rain to march in the parade.
Doncaster Funeralcare colleagues from the region supported Doncaster’s Pride, which has been
Brighton Colleagues from our funeral homes in Brighton and London marched alongside our friends in
going from strength to strength since it started in 2007.
the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus.
We want your input We’re already planning what we’re doing for next year’s Pride season. If you have any ideas about which ones we should support, please contact the team at respectLGBT@coop.co.uk
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
Respect Magazine ● November 2016
What does Pride mean to colleagues? “Pride to me is the ability to be myself at all times. It was fantastic to see so many people from different walks of life at Manchester Pride. It was a great opportunity to show the world that LGBT+ people are no different than anyone else.”
“Our purpose is all about championing a better way of doing business for our communities, and supporting Pride is just one great example of how our colleagues bring that purpose to life on a day-to-day basis. I’m proud to work for an organisation that encourages colleagues to be themselves at work and hope that everyone involved had a fantastic Pride.”
S t e v eMu r r e l l s , Re t a i l CE O
L i s aB o wma n , T e a mMa n a g e r a t o u r Ho l mfi r t hs t o r e
“I think it’s important that the Co-op continues to be involved in Pride because it’s a way of showing colleagues that the organisation is supportive of the LGBT+ community. That can make all the difference to people who are still afraid to be themselves at work.”
Ol i v e r T h o mp s o n , T e a mL e a d e r a t o u r S t o n e yL a n es t o r e
“I’m proud to work for a business which encourages colleagues to be themselves, but also through Pride, actively shouts from rooftops that there is no room for inequality and homo, trans or bi-phobia. Even if I am not part of the LGBT+ community, I need to take a stand also. I will most certainly now be marching in Pride every year.”
P a u l aBa r c l a y , Gr o u pHR
“It’s so important for me that Co-op continues to support Pride because it fits perfectly with who we are as a business. It’s also really important that we continue to shout loud and proud about our support for Pride because it’s another way of showing LGBT+ colleagues that they can be themselves and build a career here."
P e t e r Ba t t , Di v i s i o n a l Ma n a g i n gDi r e c t o r f o r t h eS o u t hDi v i s i o n/Re s p e c t S e n i o r Ch a mp i o n
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
Myf i r s t
e d i Pr
I’ve worked in the Group Diversity team for a about a year now and had the opportunity to both join in the Manchester Pride parade and help plan Co-op’s entry, which I can say I absolutely loved! Previously I have never been involved in the parade, only watched from the
Paula
sidelines. I’ve lived in Manchester for nine years and am passionate about equality so I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to really experience what Pride is about.
A magical experience Walking in the parade surrounded by smiling crowds, marching along to the Funeralcare Band, singing with colleagues was a fab experience. However, whilst walking I saw two of our Co-op colleagues, in a sweet moment, share a kiss and it really hit home to me the importance of Pride. Love is love and I am proud that Co-op supports their colleagues to be themselves, but also through Pride, actively shouts from rooftops that there is no room for inequality and homo, trans or bi-phobia. Even if I am not part of the LGBT+ community I need to take a stand also. I will most certainly now be marching in Pride every year.
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
v v a a v l l i i a d d l i i u d u m i m um Respect Magazine ● November 2016
about
Ne e di n f o r ma t i o n , s u p p o r t o rj u s ts o me o n et ot a l kt o ?
The Co-op Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is here to support all Co-op colleagues, whenever you need it. It’s a totally confidential and independent service provided by the market leading Validium Group - all paid for by the Co-op, so there’s no charge to you. Practical information, guidance and counselling is available 24/7 to help you with a wide range of personal and work-related issues. Here are just some examples: l You
are the victim of homophobic,
biphobic or transphobic bullying at work, or know someone who is l You
want advice on coming out to
validium
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INCREASING WORKFORCE VALUE
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want to know how to complain
By phone Talk in confidence with a professional counsellor or specialist, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: From a UK landline: From a mobile:
0800 970 1030 0330 332 9996
Online For online information and guidance, join vClub at https://www.validium.com/login. Use the following details to access the site and then create your own personal account. Username: Coop Password: Group1844
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
Respect Magazine ● November 2016
Respect meets …
Pet erBat t
Peter Batt is one of our new Senior Champions for Retail. He’s been with the business for just over a year and leads a team of 17,500 colleagues in 850 food stores across the South Division. We chatted to him about what makes him proud to work for the Co-op and why diversity matters to him.
Tell us a bit about yourself I’m the Divisional Managing Director for food stores in the South, so that’s everything below the bottom of Wales in the West and the top of Essex in the East. I’m also a non-executive director at a local hospice; I lost my best friend to cancer a few years ago so I’m really, really proud to be involved with them. I’m married to Sam and we’ve got two children, Oliver (7) and Alexandra (4). I’m also a big 80’s music fan, so if you’re ever on a day out with me in the car, it’s Virgin 80’s all the way.
Why is working in a diverse organisation important to you? I think that everyone brings different things to the table and the more diverse an organisation is, the more successful it will be. It’s as simple as that. I’ve been passionate about diversity and inclusion for a really long time, but I can actually pinpoint the moment that I started to really take it seriously. Back when I was still a store manager, a colleague told me that they were transitioning and wanted to know whether they could use the female toilets. I didn’t know what to do, so out of
Pe t e ri soneof o urne wSe ni or Champi ons ,he l pi ngus t os pr e adt heme s s age aboutt hei mpor t anc e ofL GBT +e qual i t y a c r os st heRe t ai l bus i ne s s .
pure ignorance I told her to use the disabled toilet. That was obviously the wrong thing to do and since then I've made it my job to learn as much as I can about all the different strands of diversity. Why? Because it matters. And because I want each and every one of my 17,500 colleagues to be treated fairly, I want their differences to be celebrated and I want them to feel happy coming to work every day.
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
Why are you proud to work for Co-op? The values and ethics were a really big draw for me, I wanted to come and work somewhere where I could make a real difference. I’m also proud to work with a great team of people – they all bring something different to the table and I’m learning from them all the time.
As a line manager how do you support LGBT+ colleagues in your team? I have a number of openly LGBT+ colleagues in my senior team, which is great. In terms of the wider region, colleagues can share concerns through dedicated listening groups. We’ve still got a way to go though. The goal is to have diversity champions in the region and for
Pe t e rdi ds o me s t or ev i s i t so v e r Br i ght o nPr i det hi s y e a ra ndwo r eo ur s pe c i a lPr i det s hi r ta sas i gn o fs uppo r t .
everyone to have diversity training.
You recently went to Brighton Pride and did some store visits in a Pride t-shirt, why is Pride important to you? It’s a complete celebration of diversity and difference. It’s so important for me that Co-op continues to support Pride because it fits perfectly
diversity, but there are a couple of specific projects
with who we are as a business.
that come to mind. One is a trial that I’m doing with
It’s also really important that we continue to shout
the Young Members’ Board - we're looking at how
loud and proud about our support for Pride
we can encourage more young people to engage
because it’s another way of showing LGBT+
with us, both from a membership and a career
colleagues that they be themselves and build a
perspective.
career here.
I’m also working with the ranging team on making sure we have a fit-for-purpose ethnic food range.
What other diversity projects are you working on?
We’ve brought someone in specifically to work on
I’m active across all the different strands of
what they think we should stock.
this and have also been talking to colleagues about As I said before, we’ve got a way to go but I’m proud to work with people who think diversity and inclusion is as important as I do.
What are the challenges for LGBT+ people working in retail, compared to other sectors? Historically food retail hasn’t been seen as a very diverse industry. That’s starting to change now, but maybe not as quickly as I’d like. We need more role models, especially at a senior level, to show people that no matter who you are, you can become the next Area Manager, Regional Manager or Divisional Managing Director.
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
Respect Magazine ● November 2016
Colleague coming out stories... Barry’s story I was born in London, but now live in Aberdeen and work for Funeralcare as a Funeral Director. I’ve been with my
Barry
partner for five years, but before that I was married to a woman. I also come from a family with quite outdated views on LGBT+ issues. As you can guess, my journey hasn’t always been easy. Gay wasn’t a word that was said in our house, not positively anyway. I remember being about eight years old and hearing those three letter mentioned on EastEnders. I asked Dad what it meant and his reply was, “Don’t ever come home and tell me that you’re
friends. My partner told me he wouldn't be my 'dirty little secret', so I took the plunge and told them. Some took it well and some did not, but that’s life. I’m much better off having a smaller number of people who accept me for me.
gay.” That was a real defining moment for me. I lived a
A place I can be myself
very lonely life for many years, always being afraid that
I’ve worked for the Co-op for about four years
someone would find out.
now and have always been out at work. Telling
That feeling lasted until I was nearly 30 years old and
people was
was the reason why I got married to a woman. I thought
difficult, but no-one batted and eyelid which was
that if I did what society expected of me, I would feel
a bit of an anti-climax. Being a bit wiser and ever
differently. I didn’t. Walking down that aisle is one of my
so slightly older, I understand that what matters
biggest regrets. I wish I had been able to be more
at work isn’t my sexuality, but the fact that I turn
honest with myself and those around me much sooner.
up every day with a smile on my face ready to
A turning point
serve my clients to the best of my ability. I have
Over time I started to come to terms with who I was. I realised that there was nothing to be ashamed of and decided to take the plunge and tell my now ex-wife. She took it better than expected, but unfortunately our friendship didn’t survive.
been very lucky to have wonderful colleagues who have become like a second family to me. I get to do the job I love and bring my real self to work every day, I feel so privileged to be able to do that.
I got into a relationship with my now partner about six
Challenging stereotypes
months later, but had still not come out to my family or
Neither I nor my partner are stereotypically gay and I think that challenges some people’s perceptions about LGBT+ people. I recently took part in a charity boxing match which raised over £61,000 for Cancer Research, not what would be expected from a gay man according to some of the people I spoke to. It’s ridiculous because the LGBT+ community is so varied, but shows how important events like Pride are. There’s still a lot
t ' n s a )h t h g i er h nt eo u q e h ec h ot tt x e n y( r r Ba . s i o h w t u o b a n e p o e b o t e l b na e e sb y wa l a
of discrimination out there and we need to keep pushing for equality.
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
Respect Magazine ● November 2016
Ellis's Story I work for Co-op Insurance, coaching and supporting new starters before they join their official teams. I’d never really worked in an office before I joined the business, so was a bit scared about how people would react when I told them I was gay, but in the end I had no reason to worry. One of the first things I noticed when I joined the Co-op was how diverse a workplace it is. I’ve never felt under any pressure to hide any part of who I am and have working relationships with LGBT+ colleagues in nearly every department I come into contact with, which is unlike any other business I’ve worked in.
Ellis
Coming out
Although I now live in Manchester, I lived in London until I moved away to university. I hadn’t come out to my family before I left and didn’t do so until I was 22, after putting it off for years. My Mum already knew, mother’s intuition and all that, so I got her to tell the rest of my family. One “coming out” was enough worry for me. Luckily my family could not have been more open and accepting and that support has shaped the man I am today. Unlike other LGBT+ people, I’ve never faced any challenges because of my sexuality, well apart from trying to meet an Arsenal-supporting, bourbon-drinking, sport-loving, funny, gorgeous guy. But that’s a challenge I don’t know if I’ll ever overcome!
Katy’s story I think I’ve always known I was gay, but denied it for a long time. I was 19 and at university when I fully realised and came out to my friends, who were all really supportive. Telling my folks was a completely different matter. Both my parents are ex-army and pretty conservative. Me coming out was not on their list of "done" things.
Taking the plunge I remember calling my mother with the line, "You know I was going
Katy
out with Nicholas? Well I'm now going out with Sarah". It went down like a lead balloon. Unfortunately I'd chosen a rather terrible time to call – my mother was really ill following a stroke, but at the time I just felt I couldn’t hold it in any longer.
The fallout from the phone call was a barrage of telephone conversations and letters basically telling me I was going through a phase. I also got asked a lot of questions, my favourite of which was, "Is it because you're fat and men don't find you attractive?" Ridiculous, I know. When I was diagnosed with brain tumour a couple of years later, my mother used it as an excuse for my lesbianism. Firstly it was a punishment because I was gay, and then she changed her opinion and of course the tumour was making me gay! I ask you!
Time changes everything Thankfully things aren’t like that today. Over the years it's got a lot better and she now welcomes me and my wife with open arms. But coming out was one of the hardest things I had to do, especially as I thought at the time my parents would never accept me. Luckily they're not as stuck in their ways as I thought.
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT
Getting their act together?
Respect Magazine ● November 2016
The world of television turned a corner last month when 8-year-old Jackson Millarker became the first openly transgender child to bag a role in the popular US sitcom Modern Family, playing a transgender character. It can’t be overestimated how ground-breaking this was – admittedly it’s not the first time openly transgender people have been on the box before: Laverne Cox played Sophia Burset in the popular Orange is the New Black, and across the pond here in the UK actress Rebecca Root played Judy, a transgender woman who falls in love with Leo, played by Harry Hepple, in the sitcom Boy Meets Girl. At the time Root said: “No longer side-lined in a minor role, or acting as the punchline in a string of feeble gags about gender identity, Judy is warm, witty, loving and human. “That she [Judy] is trans is simply another facet of her personality. Add to this the fact that the actor playing her is also trans (ie, me), and you get a portrayal of the trans experience which is finally close to reality.” But a transgender child taking a role is a major coup for those who’ve been lobbying the film and TV industry to get their act together and portray LGBT+ characters in a ‘real’, not imagined, way. While these few examples are positive, the key word unfortunately is ‘few’. Hollywood seems to be way behind the times. It came under fire recently for two high profile films when transgender roles went to cisgender (whose gender matches their “assigned” sex at birth) actors.
Rachel Michelle Rodriguez, although a member of the LGBT+ community having been openly bisexual for a number of years, was given the lead role as a transgender assassin in Reassignment and Matt Bomer, again an openly gay married man, is set to star as a transgender sex worker in Anything. It’s certainly not the first time trans activists have been left bewildered by Hollywood’s failure to recognise them, claiming they’re contributing to “trans erasure” – otherwise known as the removal of trans people from view in popular culture.
What do these terms mean? Cisgender: Applies to someone whose gender matches their "assigned" sex at birth (ie someone who is not transgender) Non-binary: Applies to a person who does not identify as "male" or "female" Genderqueer: Similar to "non-binary" some people regard "queer" as offensive, others embrace it Genderfluid: Applies to a person whose gender identity changes over time Last year, the then MP for Media, Culture and Sport, Ed Vaizey, raised the issue at the Women and Equality Committee saying he wanted to see more prominent roles for transgender actors without making a “big deal” of their gender identity. He said at the time that broadcasters needed to move faster on the issue. “Not seeing this as somehow exotic but completely mainstream is really important,” he said. He added that the Creative Diversity Network's Project Diamond would monitor diversity data “so there won't be any hiding place”. Let’s hope the transgender community don’t remain hidden.
e: respectlgbt@coop.co.uk ● t: @CoopRespectLGBT