Proud to value diversity

We celebrate those who have made a difference to the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Leicestershire Ruth Hunt Chief Executive, People perform better when they can be themselves. Stonewall’s Programme supports employers who want to create a workplace where their staff can do just that. The programme has over 750 members We’re pleased that Leicestershire County employing over 5.5 million staff. The reason Council has taken inspiration from our role these progressive employers work with us is models guide and have produced this important because they understand that their lesbian, gay, publication that recognises the contribution these bi, and trans staff are more efficient, confident, successful lesbian, gay, bi, and trans role models creative and motivated when they feel able to be have made in Leicestershire. These role models themselves at work. show up within all areas of the community, have At Stonewall we know exactly how important a positive influence on the people around them role models are to our sense of self. Young people and pave the way for others to feel able to be tell us how much better they feel when they know themselves too. another LGBT person and staff in big and small workplaces alike say they can imagine being successful when they see people like them succeeding.

2 LGBT Role models Contents Ruth Hunt 2 Chief Executive, Stonewall Remembering Kelvin Irons 4 Stephanie Morgan, QPM 6 Recently retired former Deputy Chief Constable, Leicestershire Police Dr Elly Barnes MBE 8 CEO and Founder of Educate & Celebrate Kartik Bhalla 10 Digital Marketing Assistant, Leicestershire Partnership Trust Soroya MacDonald 13 Youth Development Worker, Leicestershire County Council Charlotte Stacey 14 Business resilience professional and LGBT+ champion for Oxfordshire County Council and Fire & Rescue Service Leicester Wildecats 16 Laura Millward 19 Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Leicestershire Police Sue West 20 Fostering and Adoption Service, Leicestershire County Council Angie Lymer-Cox 23 Service Manager – Children in Care Service, Leicestershire County Council Tracy Ward 24 Head of Service, Adults and Communities, Leicestershire County Council Andrew Brodie 27 Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service David Rose 28 Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at De Montfort University Anjeli Patel 31 Senior Consultant, People Advisory Services, EY. Jo Harland 32 Deputy NPA commander for East Leicester Dedicated Neighbourhood Team Leicestershire Police

LGBT Role models 3 We celebrate those who have made a difference to the lives of gay, lesbian, Proud bisexual and transgender people in to value Leicestershire diversity

Leicestershire County Council, Leicestershire Fire seen and heard first-hand and Rescue Service and Leicestershire Police are about some of the fantastic proud to work together through our LGBT+ staff work that’s happening in the area. networks for all of our LGBT+ staff and residents. We’re delighted to see such a wide range of role This year, we were supported by colleagues from East models – who share a local connection – featured in Midlands Ambulance Service, Leicester City Council, this publication, and we hope that you’ll enjoy reading Charnwood Borough Council and Leicestershire their stories. Partnership Trust in our search for LGBT+ role Role models are massively important to LGBT+ models. The fire, police and ambulance services also people – a role model is someone to look up to, who have a joint staff network – the 999 LGBT+ Network celebrates diversity, champions equality and has a which we’re very proud of. voice on behalf of those who need the most support. We’re committed to celebrating diversity Whether you identify as LGBT+, or are an ally, be and combatting discrimination across Leicester, inspired by these stories and think about how you can Leicestershire and Rutland, and through our be a role model too. involvement in the LGBT Role Models initiative we’ve

ACC Julia Rick Taylor Gordon McFarlane Debenham Leicestershire Fire Assistant Director Leicestershire Police and Rescue Service and Equalities Lead, Leicestershire County Council

4 LGBT Role models Proud to value diversity

Remembering Kelvin Irons Kelvin was one of our 2013 role models, who has since sadly passed away. Born and bred in Leicester, feeling comfortable and confident with them on the Supporting Kelvin spent 32 years at the with who you are.’ Leicestershire Families project. He Department for Work and Through his work as Social was nominated to be a role model Pensions, and his career saw him Justice Manager for Leicestershire by a colleague on this project, take on roles as diverse as office and Northamptonshire, Kelvin for his enthusiasm in helping management to prison adviser. supported people and helped turn vulnerable families. Kelvin was a great role model lives around. Staff at Leicestershire Kelvin will be remembered and and in his own words, ‘A good County Council remember him missed by those who knew him. advocate for being yourself and for fondly from his time working

LGBT Role models 5 Stephanie Morgan, QPM Recently retired former Deputy Chief Constable, Leicestershire Police

Proud to value diversity

6 LGBT Role models During her time at Leicestershire Police, Stephanie Morgan was the most senior ‘out’ gay police officer. She still plays an active role in making the county a better place to live for everyone through her voluntary roles supporting the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation and an advisory role on the University of Leicester’s Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement Panel. She also received the QPM (Queen’s Police Medal) in the 2015 New Years’ Honours List and an Honorary Doctorate from De Montfort University for the work undertaken with LGBT Communities. Here, in her own words, she describes why she is seen as a role model… “I joined the Hampshire and I felt unable to share much of influencing the national agenda and Constabulary in 1983. I’ve had a my life with my family. In 2007 I hopefully make things easier for varied career which began with the told my father the truth when my LGBT officers and staff to progress. Fraud Squad, dealing with complex mother was seriously ill with a “I am also proud to have led ‘white collar’ crime. terminal illness. My father found a national initiative - the ‘It gets “In 2010, I was appointed this difficult to accept but him better’ video where officers from as Assistant Chief Constable of knowing the truth meant that my all over the country were filmed Leicestershire Constabulary taking partner was able to be a part of my giving personal stories in order up the operations portfolio. I family, and help out in the nursing to discourage LGBT youth from was regional commander for the of my mother. committing suicide and encourage Olympics, and oversaw the torch “I want young people growing them to report bullying and hate. relay. up today to have positive role “I accept that there is further “In my line of work, I had to models and be able to share who to go but take heart in the fact judge success as an absence of they are with their friends and that there is an enthused LGBT crime and disorder and of people, family. I’m very optimistic for community here that is doing all it including all LGBT people, being the future as I know how far the can to ensure that ‘coming out’ is and feeling safe in the communities LGBT community has come, since made as easy as possible.” I policed. those days when we feared being “My partner and I have suffered arrested. “I want young prejudice in the 29 years we’ve “Being both the national policing people … to have been together. My partner was in lead for LGBT issues and the most Proud the services at a time when same senior ‘out’ police officer put me positive role models sex relationships were illegal. We in the spotlight as an LGBT role and be able to share to value lived in fear of being found out - model. several of our close friends were “I’m proud of the fact that I who they are with diversity arrested and their homes searched. reached the position in my career “My father was homophobic where I made a difference by their friends and family....”

LGBT Role models 7 Dr Elly Barnes MBE CEO and Founder of Educate & Celebrate

Originally from Leicestershire, Elly topped the Independent on Sunday’s Rainbow List in 2011 for her commitment to LGBT+ in Education. In 2012 was ‘highly commended’ in the TES ‘Teacher of the Year’ awards. She has continued year upon year to be nominated for numerous awards and this year 2018 achieved a place on The PRIDE Power list and also winning the DIVA Magazine Activist of the Year.

Since 2005 Elly has devoted In 2018, she is CEO of Educate biphobic and transphobic bullying her career to changing the face & Celebrate, heading a wonderful and ingrained attitudes in our of the education system by team of experienced teachers and schools describing it as ‘visionary making nurseries, primaries, youth workers who have all made and innovative’. secondaries, colleges, universities their own schools LGBT+Friendly Elly is a regular writer, speaker, LGBT+Friendly by developing – giving them the experience to author and campaigner for social accessible resources, providing deliver the successful programmes justice in education. She says: training and a robust programme throughout the UK, the Channel “Increasing visibility around which guarantees positive change Islands, Europe and beyond. The Sexual Orientation and Gender and facilitates young people, team continue to develop resources Identity changes and saves lives. families and teachers alike to be responding to the needs of young We believe every conversation themselves without any fear of people, teachers and families. is important to move forward discrimination. Throughout the development, with breaking down the barriers In 2010, Elly began delivering Elly has formed a close partnership to LGBT+Inclusion. Together, Continuing Professional with Goldsmiths University of we can create cohesive school Development Days from her school, London and, together with Dr communities with people and developing Educate & Celebrate Anna Carlile, wrote a book of all social justice at its core, enabling and the Award Programme for the research from the Educate & us all to be ourselves without any all schools to access. In 2015, Celebrate Programme released fear of discrimination.” she spearheaded the Educate & in March 2018 called How to Celebrate programme as part of Transform Your School into an the pilot Anti-HBT bullying project LGBT+Friendly Place: A Practical with the Department for Education Guide for nursery, primary and “Together, we can for which she received an MBE for secondary teachers. create cohesive her contribution to Equality and Elly’s approach has been Diversity in Education. This was recognised by Ofsted as best school communities followed by an Honorary Doctorate practice for taking a whole-school with people and from The University of Aberdeen. approach to tackling homophobic, social justice at its core...”

8 LGBT Role models Proud to value diversity

LGBT Role models 9 Kartik Bhalla Digital Marketing Assistant, Leicestershire Partnership Trust Kartik started working in his digital marketing role since he left school at 16. “I decided to take up an apprenticeship in digital marketing in the healthcare environment because it was an area that I was really keen on learning more about.

My role at work involves strengthening relationships with Kartik is a passionate advocate engaging staff through marketing external partnerships, and getting for intersectional equality and and communications campaigns involved with local diversity and diversity, both personally and to promote health & wellbeing inclusion events. professionally. initiatives. We have around 5,500 For example, for the first time, “Growing up as a gay Asian, staff based across Leicester, staff represented the Trust by I’ve faced some cultural barriers Leicestershire and Rutland. marching in the and I found it particularly hard to I’m really proud to have this year. T-shirts and a parade navigate those. There’s still a huge successfully secured a permanent banner were designed and challenge in defying stereotypes, post at Leicestershire Partnership commissioned in the hope of traditions, taboo culture, as well as Trust, following on from the showing support and commitment lack of representation in media.” completion of my Level 4 Diploma to our LGBTQ+ workforce, and to in Digital Marketing. This will recognise and celebrate the vibrant enable me to carry on developing LGBTQ+ community of Leicester, and embedding diversity and Leicestershire and Rutland.” inclusion in all we do, whilst recognising and valuing staff engagement regardless of sexual “Despite these challenges, I think orientation or gender identity.” the future is bright and colourful Kartik also takes on the voluntary role of Lead Advocate for the residents of Leicestershire! (Chair) of the Trust’s LGBTQ+ staff network and support group. The contribution and value of “The aim of the group is to LGBTQ+ people is becoming more provide a safe and confidential space for LGBTQ+ staff, in which recognised every day….” potential issues can be discussed openly: providing a gateway of advocacy and assistance to staff, signposting them to internal processes or external services, ensuring that equality perspective is considered by the Trust,

10 LGBT Role models Proud to value diversity

LGBT Role models 11 Proud to value diversity

12 LGBT Role models Soroya MacDonald Youth Development Worker, Leicestershire County Council

With over two decades dedicated to youth work, Soroya has spent her career supporting young people to achieve their potential.

She has been recognised for “I’ve also encouraged schools “But I am very proud of my going the extra mile for LGBT+ to add LGBT+ awareness into kids and how they reacted and young people in Leicestershire and the curriculum – making sure that supported me and I’ve come providing a space for them to be LGBT+ history is included in social through the bad times. I believe themselves. studies, or that all types of families it is going to get better. I’m happy Soroya says: “I have been a are included – not just the nuclear that society has changed and is youth worker for over 20 years. I family. still changing and that’s making it have worked with young people “I try to think about the support easier for people to live the life with many different issues and in that young people need. I am they choose.” many different settings. always cheerful and respect young “I train school staff in local people’s views and opinions. schools and colleges to be “I suppose it helps that I’ve LGBT+champions and to be faced my own challenges along the “I hope I can play aware of some of the issues that way. I think back to when I told a small part in young people face. The LGBT+ my kids that I was in a relationship champions wear a rainbow lanyard with a woman, and how I tried to showing people so that young people can identify make them understand. them. “I also lived in a small that it’s good to community so some people who be yourself.” I had known nearly all of my life stopped talking to me.

LGBT Role models 13 Charlotte Stacey Business resilience professional and LGBT+ champion for Oxfordshire County Council and Fire & Rescue Service

Leicestershire-born Charlotte has worked in local government since 2007, carving out a career from historic buildings through event management, to the UK’s highest-ranking openly transgender emergency planning officer, and on into information management.

Charlotte’s resilience work Charlotte has also been able We still have a great challenge to involves making sure those to champion change behind the embrace people’s unique identities organisations such as Oxfordshire scenes, writing and amending and characteristics.” County Council and their partner policies to make them trans She is also keen to tackle agencies are ready to deal with inclusive, and bringing in trans hate crime – and make sure that emergencies and incidents, whilst guidance for managers. people are not complacent. “I have managing their data securely. “I’m proud to have led a been attacked twice since moving “I work in a traditionally number of ‘firsts’ for Oxfordshire: to Oxford, and was very well male-dominated environment, celebrating Trans Day of supported by Thames Valley Police. yet have overcome stereotypes Visibility with flags flying at So from a personal perspective, and preconceptions to build HQ; marking International Day I actively promote StopHate.org understanding from firefighters to Against Homophobia, Biphobia, to encourage staff and public to Chief Officers. Transphobia with a display of register hate incidents; and we I have been able to help young LGBT+ people’s artwork at took the Stonewall #NoBystanders colleagues think about how they County Hall; and attending Oxford pledge to Oxford Pride to approach and make adjustments Pride with Oxfordshire Fire & demonstrate our commitment.” with our service users, and to Rescue Service, with our LGBT+ Charlotte is optimistic for the be mindful of their situations, for colleagues, our female firefighters, future of Leicestershire’s LGBT+ example making our emergency our families and Allies.” people. “I’m really proud to have rest centres LGBT+ safe places, Charlotte’s main focus is to been chosen as a role-model and managing equalities during broaden trans inclusion and for my home county. Each year incidents.” promote intersectionality. “I’m still I come back for Pride with our conscious that the T or + does not Leicestershire colleagues and do justice to the spectrum am reminded of how diverse the of gender identities, including non- county is. binary. “I put my open-mindedness and appreciation of others down to my childhood exposure to the diverse communities and groups where I grew up, and to my parents and my education: as a Leicestershire child ‘being different is normal’.”

14 LGBT Role models Proud to value diversity

LGBT Role models 15 Leicester Wildecats The weekly kickabout is still a Gareth Miller, founder of the very important part of the club and club, says: “Wildecats provides a Established in 1996, it’s open to everyone who signs unique platform for members of the Leicester Wildecats was up to the club’s ethos and ideals, LGBT community to play football the third gay football regardless of their age, ability in a friendly, safe, non-judgemental team to be set up in or sexual orientation. The club environment, and players of all currently has around 60 members orientations, ages and abilities are the UK. from Leicester, Leicestershire, welcome to join. Rutland and neighbouring counties. “The club has played a Wildecats was a founder significant part in improving the member of the Gay Football lives of a large number of LGBT Supporters’ Network National people and LGBT-friendly people League and took part in the very in the area over the last 22 years. first game in 2002. As well as promoting beneficial Proud The team’s biggest achievement physical activity, the club provides so far is the 2008 victory in the a strong, vibrant social scene for its to value Gay Football World Championship. members. The team has also made diversity

16 LGBT Role models links with Leicester City Football 11-a-side league games, allowing their preconceptions and allow Club with a view to fighting people to show their abilities at them to see that there is more than homophobia in football. different levels. We are also proud one type of LGBT person, and not “There is a great togetherness of our long and distinguished just the stereotypes portrayed in and bonding within the club, history. the media.” regardless of people’s backgrounds. “Most of the legal barriers The team allows LGBT people to facing LGBT people have now been “There is more make friends outside of the normal removed, but there is still some channels available and some very social prejudice to overcome. It can than one type of strong friendships, and indeed, be very difficult for young LGBT gay person, and not relationships have been forged people to discuss their feelings through our club and amongst with friends, family and colleagues, just the stereotypes other LGBT teams we compete especially if they are involved in against. football, which has a reputation for portrayed in the “The club is proud to have a homophobia. media.” good balance between the weekly “Meeting LGBT people in a kickabout and the more serious football environment can challenge www.wildecats.co.uk

LGBT Role models 17 Proud to value diversity

18 LGBT Role models Laura Millward Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Leicestershire Police

Laura Millward’s main motivation to join the police force back in 2005 was to help people and communities. This is a theme that has carried over into her role in the Diversity and Inclusion Unit.

“I’ve been out since I was 16, Leicestershire Police has Laura is a founding member and I’ve always been comfortable in a culture of more openness of the 999 LGBT Network with coming out to people at work. I do encouraged by senior leaders such another of our LGBT role models, recognise that to some people, it is as LGBTQ Lead and Diversity Andrew Brodie. The network a massive step though - especially Advocate ACC Julia Debenham, covers the emergency services to have to tell your boss or your “We’re definitely encouraged to in Leicestershire, and allows a colleagues. So while I don’t need ‘bring more of ourselves to work’ bigger voice in involving three the support of our LGBT network, and not shy away from talking organisations (police, fire and others do and that’s why it still about our family or partner. I ambulance). It also means that exists in 2018 and why I want to know that it’s important for me, staff have somewhere to turn to stay involved. It’s not helpful to say D&I officer, network member and for support that sits outside their “There’s not a problem here”, even role model to be out and open, employer; a third party LGBT if there isn’t a problem for you.” but it’s equally important for our network that enables an extra Laura knows that the UK Police ‘advocates’ - role models within the layer of confidentiality if needed. Service still has some way to go – police force who aren’t LGBTQ - to Laura has a simple vision for the Laura and other colleagues are part make people feel that they can be long term future of Leicestershire of national working group focusing themselves at work.” Police’s LGBT Network. “In an on bi and queer identities and Leicestershire Police leads the ideal world in ten or fifteen years – queer inclusion and although people way for trans employees. Laura however long it takes – there won’t are becoming more confident to be explains that, “Our trans policy be a need for an LGBT network open about their gender identities exists not only to protect the because being LGBTQ won’t be an there is still a lot more to be done. rights of trans staff, but also to issue, you won’t be more likely to Gender neutral/inclusive facilities make them feel comfortable about be bullied, or suffer mental health are still some way off. working here, to know that this is a problems for example. I don’t safe, trans-friendly employer.” know if or when that will happen, but I do know that right now, the network is vitally important to “In an ideal world in ten or fifteen LGBTQ staff and is here for the years – however long it takes – foreseeable future.” there won’t be a need for an LGBT network because being LGBTQ won’t be an issue..”

LGBT Role models 19 Sue West Fostering and Adoption Service, Leicestershire County Council Family is extremely important to Sue West - both her own and the families she works with in her role as a manager in the fostering and adoption service at Leicestershire County Council.

When she came out (as lesbian) recruitment campaign to encourage contacted the group in confidence, to her family, she faced a unique same sex couples to adopt. Our was referred to the ‘rep’ for our challenge in telling her husband of advertising featured two mummies department and just meeting them 25 years, and her two children. “I or two daddies as the norm, not for a coffee and talking about the love being a mum, and my children as a token gesture. The ‘make issues around coming out at work have always been the centre of my up’ of adoptive families has seen was a great help.” world. Yet coming out to them and significant change in the last few Sue feels very optimistic being true to myself meant ending years. It’s very diverse – straight about the future from a personal the loving family unit in which they couples, lesbian couples, single gay and work perspective, “My own had grown up and felt like such a men, single women...but fostering, experiences have helped me big risk.” But Sue’s experience was where we urgently need to recruit, grow in confidence in terms of a positive one, she remains friends isn’t attracting LGBT foster carers supporting other LGBT people. with her ex-husband, and both her yet. Applicants can expect a very Workwise, the big step we need to children have been nothing but fair, open and honest assessment take is to recruit more LGBT foster supportive. “I’ve learned that it’s with us and social workers that carers – we only have a handful at never too late to be who you really don’t make assumptions about the moment. are.” Sue has even shared her story them.” As a senior ‘out’ manager in DIVA magazine so that women at the county council, she knows in her position could read about that she has made a difference “We need loving her experience. with the help of her team in foster families Family is also an important creating a service that celebrates part of her job. Sue has worked in diversity, and hopes that this starts and homes for the children’s services since 1989. Her to filter through in their fostering role in fostering and adoption helps recruitment drive. children in our to make sure that children in the Sue says: ‘it’s important as a care. LGBT people care of the council are placed with role model to be visible, to make loving foster carers on a long term both staff and service users feel can provide those basis, or in some cases, adopted comfortable and confident that homes and be by their ‘forever family.’ In the last they can be themselves too. At the couple of years, the number of county council we’re very lucky to those families that adoptive families with gay mums or have a committed LGBT Workers’ make a difference dads has increased rapidly. Group who are very positive and “We did a successful supportive. When I came out, I to a child’s future.”

20 LGBT Role models Proud to value diversity

LGBT Role models 21 Proud to value diversity

22 LGBT Role models Angie Lymer-Cox Service Manager – Children in Care Service, Leicestershire County Council Angie leads our Children in Care service – and in her words, “Our future is our young people. They are so much less judgmental than past generations.

There was a time when young A revelation in itself as I never “Initially working in this field people asked me if I was married, realised there was an alternative was a challenge being gay in that I’d say no. “(Angie and her wife to a ‘normal’ way of life. After my many families and children didn’t Anne were one of the first couples YTS I became a youth worker and understand that gay people aren’t to have a civil partnership back in discovered other people from my a risk to their children. I have taken 2006, and were formally married community with similar challenges some abuse and each time see in 2015). “Then one girl I was fitting into ‘normal’ society.” that as an opportunity to educate. supporting, quite rightly asked me if I wasn’t married, then why “Most of my family were really was I wearing a ring? She was just curious, had lots of questions supportive of me. Some found it for me, but to her it was just… a challenge and would avoid any ’Whatever!’…” Angie left school at 16 with very discussion. This was hard and caused few qualifications, and described a rift which never really healed. But I herself as ‘rebellious’ during her school years. “After school, I did knew I had to move myself on in life a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) working with children and young and not hide away”. people with special needs. I loved every minute and every child and After gaining further qualifications I want to be able to talk about family I worked with. It was the at college, Angie attended university my family, wife, puppy (my baby!) start of my passion to work with to study social work…and has never and holidays the same way my young people who had faced looked back. straight colleagues do without fear challenges in their young lives.” Angie now manages teams of discrimination or abuse.” Angie says that as a child and working with children in care, care young adult she faced a number leavers and unaccompanied asylum of challenges, which helped build seeking children – which she loves. strength and resilience as an adult. She is driven by the resilience and Recalling her early feelings drive of young people and their about her sexual orientation, she achievements. says, “At 17 I realised that the feelings I had been having over previous years were because of my sexuality. I was gay!

LGBT Role models 23 Tracy Ward Head of Service, Adults and Communities, Leicestershire County Council

Tracy grew up in Leicester and, despite a spell at university in London, she was drawn back to her roots. She has worked in adult social care in Leicestershire since the early 1990s.

Tracy has been a recognisable role of the fact that people around me friends and do not feel stigmatised model for the county council, has have felt supported to be out at or fearful of what may happen to regularly participated in events, work, and that I’ve played a part in them just because of their sexual articles and is an active member of valuing people’s differences. orientation.” the council’s LGBT Workers’ Group. “As a manager within adult Tracy was nominated as a role social care, I’m also proud that the model for being a good manager – organisations I have worked with “I hope that for establishing working practices deliver services which allow older people will read which value diversity and promote people to maintain a sense fairness and respect. of identity.” this publication She says: “I believe everyone Thinking about the future, Tracy in Leicestershire has the right to is keen to work with partners to and see people access services which treat people deliver good services, and reduce like them...” with respect and dignity. I have hate crime and bullying: worked hard to promote equal “I want to make Leicestershire access for Leicestershire residents. a good place to live if you “I have faced homophobia in are lesbian, gay, bisexual or previous roles, and when I first transgender. I hope that people started at the county council, I was will read this publication and see uneasy with being open about my people like them – who are able sexual orientation. I’m now proud to come out at work, to family, to

24 LGBT Role models Proud to value diversity

LGBT Role models 25 Proud to value diversity

26 LGBT Role models Andrew Brodie Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Proud Andrew Brodie has been a Fire Officer for over 25 years. He’s worked in Cumbria, London, and is now Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Leicestershire to value Fire and Rescue Service. He ‘came out’ to his colleagues in 2014, shortly after starting the job in Leicestershire. Coming out made Andrew one of the diversity most senior male openly gay fire officers in the UK. This is not a fact that Andrew would be treated no differently from takes lightly. He explains, “The early “I’ve had to be anyone else. We make sure that culture in the fire service in the willing to stand up our ‘shOUT’ (Leicestershire LGBT 1990s was extremely homophobic, network) newsletter goes to all there was very little diversity and and tell my story, staff – not just LGBT staff - and we there was a bullying culture. The and hopefully by make sure that those staff are not initiations were pretty horrific. It afraid to ask the questions to help was not a time or a place where doing so making them do their job.” you could have even thought about other people Of all the brave things that coming out.” There were several Andrew has done – coming factors that led to him being open feel they can be out in the fire service, saving about his sexual orientation when countless lives as a fire officer, he got to Leicestershire - a new themselves.” even paragliding on the weekends start, a more senior role, more – he easily picks his proudest Andrew was a founder member confidence in himself, but the moment. “I went to a school to of the 999 Network with Laura overriding factor was the culture of do a fire education session, and Millward, and is vice-chair of the the organisation. The (now retired) in the class was a nine year-old fire service’s national LGBT network Chief Fire Officer Dave Webb made girl called Michaela Brown. Not ‘QUILTBAG’. it clear that this was a workplace long after I’d been to the school, Through these roles he hopes in which you should be yourself. Michaela was in a terrible house he can make things easier for Andrew explains, “Dave was proud fire. She remembered some of the LGBT fire service staff and also that this was a fire service that you things I’d said, and saved her little for residents. “We have a big could bring your same sex partner brother’s life. She even went on presence at Leicester Pride, and to the work do, that you didn’t have to win a Pride of Britain award for the reason behind that is very to hide who you were, he was very her bravery. That’s what I’m most simple – we want to reach all of clear that this was an open, honest proud of, and that’s why I do the the communities we serve. We workplace.” job that I do.” want to make sure that every gay Andrew knows that being couple would feel comfortable out holding a senior fire officer having a fire safety officer come position brings with it a certain in to their home, or that a trans responsibility. person involved in a car accident

LGBT Role models 27 David Rose Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at De Montfort University

David has been a health, safety and wellbeing professional for over 20 years having worked in the pharmaceutical, chemical, healthcare and higher education sectors. He moved to Leicester in January 2016 and started as Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at De Montfort University that same month. Previously David lived in Brighton and on the south coast for 26 years where there is an open culture regarding gender and sexuality.

David knew he was bisexual ‘going through a phase’, being from a young age but didn’t talk to greedy and carrying sexually “It’s really anyone about this for several years transmitted diseases.. “It took my important to me until the age of 16. “When I finally family and friends some time to confided in someone they scorned actually understand my sexuality that young people me and said it wasn’t possible. and for a long period of time I felt a growing up have Sadly this meant I didn’t bring the bit ‘lost’.” subject up again until I was 23, and David recently felt empowered less fear than I did again, I was met with disbelief and by the University to come out as at their age. I feel astonishment”. being bisexual for the first time “Until I was in my mid-twenties, in over 30 years of work. He is a we have moved on I dated women, but then I was member of the LGBTQ Committee in a relationship with a man and is a trained Mental Health as a society in the for 14 years.. We experienced First Aid Instructor. As a role model UK, but we still homophobia when holding hands David supports both staff and in the street and this led to us students in feeling comfortable with have a long way to not showing physical affection in themselves and hopes to reduce go. Onwards and public.” prejudice, empower people and David says he experiences educate others about bisexuality. In upwards”. many misconceptions around being doing so, hopefully people can be bisexual - not being monogamous, themselves and can prosper.

28 LGBT Role models Proud to value diversity

LGBT Role models 29 Proud to value diversity

30 LGBT Role models Anjeli Patel Senior Consultant, People Advisory Services, EY.

Anjeli is an Indian transgender female who was born in Leicester and later moved to London. She works for Ernst & Young as a Senior Consultant in their People Advisory Services practice.

“EY is a pioneer around summer across the country about ‘Diversity Champion’ organisations inclusivity at work and I use D&I at EY, reaching over 2000 as well as being available publicly this to create positive change people.” through Stonewall’s website.” both inside and outside of the Outside of the workplace, Anjeli Anjeli is a regular speaker at workplace. I was a speaker at spoke at Imperial College for LGBT Stonewall Workplace Conferences EY’s student induction, talking history month about being Asian - she is immensely proud to get “… about my experiences as a British and trans*, and was interviewed by feedback from individuals who are Asian trans* woman at EY and the the BBC Asian Network. inspired and enthused to do more importance of employee networks. “I have been interviewed by in their organisation after speaking I have been involved in the BBC around my transition and with me.” organising various networking inclusivity at work and have been In addition to awards, such events with some of EY’s key profiled by both DIVA online and as the workplace award for the clients and supporters of the LGBT Attitude on her experiences as an category “Gamechanger”, she has community. I am also a member of Asian trans* woman. Additionally, featured in the top ten of both the the South Asian network, took part I contributed to one Stonewall’s EMpower Future Leaders’ List and in a firm wide and external video workplace resources, Engaging All in the OUTstanding Future Leaders’ for International Women’s Day, Staff in Trans Inclusion, which was List (both in the Financial Times). and spoke at 6 internal events this sent to more than 700 Stonewall “I’m really proud to have been nominated as a role model for Leicestershire. Leicester will always feel like home to me. It is positive to see so much is changing in the UK so rapidly for LGBT+ individuals for the better. ”

LGBT Role models 31 Jo Harland Deputy NPA commander for East Leicester Dedicated Neighbourhood Team Leicestershire Police

Jo has been a police officer since 2003, and passed her sergeant’s exam in 2016 – an achievement in her life that she is immensely proud of.

“I started my career in know that equality and diversity from the rest of my siblings for Nottinghamshire, and transferred is important to Leicestershire a long time – she thought they’d to Leicestershire in 2008, working Police and hopefully feel confident disown me if they found out. in child protection. I became a to report a hate crime, or think Although my siblings all had worries Sergeant in 2016. It’s a challenging about working for us, so that we and concerns, they have all been but rewarding career which I love.” can continue to build a workforce very supportive and have embraced Jo took on the role of one of that is representative of the local the fact that I am a gay woman. the LGBT+ Network leads at community.” As LGBT+ lead for the police, Leicestershire Police in June 2017. Growing up as a gay woman, it’s important that I am publicly “The police network is a supportive, Jo faced challenges. “I think, like championing LGBT+ equality – I proactive group of people and I’m many LGBT+ people, facing my have had posts attacked on social proud to be involved. The LGBT+ family when I first came out when media because of this, and the network are there when people I was 18 years old is the hardest support of my siblings has been need us, and we make sure we’re challenge I have faced. I came from really important to me.” visible – at events like Leicester a small mining village and a large Jo looks forward to a bright Pride. family. Due to my mother’s age she future for LGBT+ people in We want to help to make found it very difficult to accept and Leicestershire. sure that the people we serve chose to hide my sexual orientation

“I am honoured to have been nominated as a role model to other LGBT+ people. I feel society is ever changing and evolving. We face different challenges but we are certainly moving in the right direction to allow everyone to be who they are.”

32 LGBT Role models Proud to value diversity

LGBLGBT Ro olle mo odeldels 33 Thanks to the following organisations for their support in finding Leicestershire’s LGBT+ role models Proud to value East Midlands Ambulance Service diversity

If your organisation would like to be involved in the future, please email [email protected] U0414