As a leading organisation for a leading city, we foster a workplace that is inclusive, safe and respectful. We strive to nurture a culture of individuality, diversity and belonging, which means offering support to our LGBTIQA+ communities and staff.
Pride Network
Our Pride Network launched in 2018. It brings together LGBTIQA+ employees and their allies who speak up so that people can bring their whole selves to work.
The group began informally a year earlier, during the national debate on marriage equality. It was a difficult time for LGBTIQA+ staff and allies, and the focus of the network at that time was to provide support. During this time, Council expressed firm
support of marriage equality and advocated strongly for a ‘yes’ vote.
The Pride Network is an important voice for LGBTIQA+ people and their allies and ensures our workplace continues to be aware and engaged.
The group led the Pride Pledge, which asked all employees (regardless of whether they identify as LGBTIQA+) to commit to speaking out and acting against homophobia, biphobia, intersexism and transphobia, and support their LGBTIQA+ colleagues. The majority of our workforce has taken the pledge so far and LGBTIQA+ awareness training is providing important education and understanding.
The Pride Network also fosters important external partnerships and is actively involved in key initiatives and events, having represented us at
Midsumma 2019, marched in the Pride March 2019 and helped raise the rainbow flag as part of
IDAHOBIT Day.
Strategies
City of Melbourne has committed to increasing workplace diversity and inclusion in the
Inclusive Melbourne Strategy 2022-32.. Workplace LGBTIQA+ inclusion is also supported by the Gender Equality Act which includes tracking the experiences of staff and equality progress in a workplace audit. Strategies are included in the
Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-25.
Pride in Diversity
City of Melbourne is a member of
Pride in Diversity, which provides access to a range of services and supports. Each year City of Melbourne utilises:
- LGBTIQA+ training sessions for staff through the year
- online training resources
- specialised staff training sessions each year
- access to LGBTIQA+ consultancy to support staff and leaders and workplace inclusion activities
- the use of the Australian Workplace Equality Index survey and assessment to support and track our progress.
Gender Impact Assessments
Under the Gender Equality Act, the City of Melbourne is required to complete Gender Impact Assessments (GIA) on new or revised policies, services or programs that have a direct and significant impact on community. While Gender Impact Assessments are primarily focused on gender equality, they will include LGBTIQA+ community experiences to create better and fairer outcomes and increase equal access to resources and opportunities. Since the start of the year, the City of Melbourne has trained staff, developed templates, resources and systems, and built a community of practice. Gender Impact Assessments have also commenced. These will ensure that new or reviewed activities go through a process that will include:
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Understanding the experiences of LGBTIQA+ communities through evidence, engagement and/or accessing expert advice.
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Explaining how the activity will be changed to better support the needs of LGBTIQA+ community and support equality
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Making recommendations for the implementation of strategies.