Army is Stonewall's 400th Diversity Champion
Historic day for Army's relationship with lesbian and gay people
Stonewall is delighted to announce that the Army has become the 400th member of its Diversity Champions programme for employers. The Army will be working with Stonewall to promote good working conditions for all existing and potential employees and to ensure equal treatment for those who are lesbian, gay and bisexual
General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, said: 'I am delighted that the Army has become a member of Stonewall's workplace programme. One of the Army's six Core Values is 'Respect for Others' and it is therefore our absolute duty to treat our fellow soldiers as we would wish to be treated ourselves. Discrimination against those in the Army who are lesbian, gay and bisexual does not give them a chance to contribute or to play a full part in the teams that are vital for our success on operations. Respecting others is therefore part of the trust that has to exist between soldiers and the Nation's values of tolerance, decency and quality must be reflected in the Army. We look forward to working with Stonewall.'
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: 'We're delighted that the Army has taken this decision. This sends out a very powerful message - the Army is a 21st century employer which wants to recruit, recognise, and support the very best staff regardless of background. Good employers understand that providing support for all their staff enhances operational effectiveness. We know that this decision has been welcomed not only by personnel in the UK but also by lesbians and gay men currently serving on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo.'
Members of Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme now employ more than four million people between them. Member organisations include IBM, Barclays and the Royal Navy. The Army will be welcomed to the programme at a '400 reception' in London hosted by fellow member organisation Clifford Chance on 22 July.
Contact: Gary Nunn Communications Officer, 020 7593 1856/07985 439 660
Notes:
1. The 2003 Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations made workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual people unlawful.
2. Government actuaries now estimate that six per cent of the adult population is lesbian or gay. The current UK workforce is 28.4 million.
3. Stonewall is the gay equality organisation founded in 1989. Founding members include Sir Ian McKellen.
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