This was the second meeting of representatives of the LGBT Networks University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust and partners including the City Council. I attended as someone who advises organisations on setting up and maintaining staff networks. My role at this meeting was to facilitate a networking activity.
Some key issues that came out of the meeting which I am keen to work on more with all my clients including:
– developing middle managers as key LGBT allies as they set the day-to-day tone of their department and direct reports. No matter how senior champions might send out key messages, policies and strategies around LGBT , it’s the managers who implement those messages
– enabling LGBT network members to attend meetings in work time and carry out vital work as committee members. This kind of involvement enhances the productivity of individuals and organisations and should be supported.