We’re proud of our PRISM group here in the Welsh Government, which is an award-winning staff network for LGBTQ+ people. To celebrate LGBT History Month 2024, we asked one of our members, Phil, to share his thoughts with us on how the workplace has changed for LGBTQ+ people over the years…
As I sit here and reflect on the forty years of my career, it strikes me how much has changed in the world of LGBTQ+ people in the workplace.
I’ve lost my hair (and I must have lost some of it at work…), we’ve got employment rights at work, we’ve got civil partnership and equal marriage – pop the corks! Let the parties begin!!
When I started my career back in the 80s, there was no protection in law for LGBTQ+ people in relation to being fired because of sexual orientation. It’s hard to believe it now but it was entirely possible for someone to tell you: “there’s no future for you in this organization because you can’t keep quiet about your sexual orientation so it will be better if you find somewhere else to work”. That’s what I was told word for word when I first moved back to Cardiff back in 1989 working for a large and progressive organisation.
So, the importance of staff networks became clear; we were fighting for basic rights.
Now, something has changed. We have rights. All in all, people can’t get rid of you based on your sexual orientation or assumptions about your sexual orientation anymore, so why do we still need to have staff networks…?
Well, we still need mutual support. Work makes more sense when you can share ideas and stories with people who are more like you. Some people misunderstand what is suitable and acceptable to say and do in the workplace so it is important to be part of something bigger.
Also – there is socialising. Thank heavens for socialising. The times where you can relax, share experiences, give each other strength and so on. Working life can be challenging – for those times, thank goodness for staff networks!
Since I have been in the Welsh Government, PRISM has given me many opportunities to meet people, represent the Civil Service staff and feel like part of something “bigger”.
Phil,
Member of the Welsh Government PRISM Staff Network
Click here to find out more about our staff networks and working for the Welsh Government.
Darllenwch y dudalen hon yn y Gymraeg.
