Cardiff Council has again been recognised by the charity Stonewall as an employer committed to supporting LGBTQ+ staff and customers.
Maintaining its place in the Stonewall Top 100 and retaining its Gold Award status, Cardiff Council has been praised by the lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer rights charity for “creating a welcoming workplace, where LGBTQ+ employees can bring their full selves to work”.
Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2024 list recognises exceptional employers who are committed to supporting their LGBTQ+ staff and customers. Cardiff Council joins a number of top construction, legal, health, finance and education organisations who made the annual Top 100 list of LGBTQ+ inclusive employers.
Welcoming the local authority’s latest achievements, Cardiff Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for equalities, Cllr Julie Sangani, said:
“I am delighted to see that Cardiff Council has maintained its Top 100 place in the Stonewall Index this year and has again been given a Gold Award by the charity. Those are both achievements to be extremely proud of in themselves, but I am also very pleased to see that the exemplary work of staff across the organisation has again resulted in Cardiff Council being the highest ranked local authority in Wales.
“Stronger Fairer Greener – our Cabinet policy priorities for Cardiff – includes the commitment to ‘build on our Stonewall Gold Status award as part of our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity, aiming to become a Stonewall top 100 employer and the highest ranked local authority in Wales in the Stonewall Index’. The fact that we have secured all three of those commitments once again this year is further testament to the hard work and dedication of staff intent on putting our equalities policies into action.”
Stonewall is the UK’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, working to create a world where every lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer person is free to be themselves -wherever they are. It was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who wanted to break down barriers to equality. Stonewall continues to campaign on LGBT Equality, as well as work with employers and schools to create environments which allow LGBTQ+ people to thrive.
Colin Macfarlane, Director of Programmes and Income at Stonewall (he/him) said:
“Implementing inclusive practices and policies is vital for employers who wish to attract and retain top LGBTQ+ talent. The Workplace Equality Index draws participants from diverse industries and sectors, all of whom understand that inclusivity is the future and are leading the way in this vital change. By championing LGBTQ+ employees, you are fostering a happy and motivated workforce and contributing to a UK where LGBTQ+ people can thrive as their true selves.”
