To feel sympathy to the National Trust volunteers at Felbrigg Hall?

I don't think symbols like this should be compulsory - I find 'corporate values' a bit distasteful, really.

I would happily wear the rainbow badge, but I'd support anyone's right to not do so. If I was working alongside someone who had bigoted views I would choose to not associate with them outside of work, but I would still stand up for their right to not wear the badge.

Symbols like this are important. If I was working with someone sexist, and we all had to wear something celebrating women's rights I would feel like it was cheapened by someone who disagrees with it wearing it because it's uniform. Equally, if I'd found the organisation to be not great at dealing with sexism in the workplace I would see it as unfair that they get to appear to the public that they believe in something when they don't follow through.

Glad to see that the NT realised their mistake.

@brasty have you seen the full national LGBTQ programme from the NT?

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/celebrating-our-lgbtq-heritage-exhibitions-installations-and-events-at-our-places

No you don't. But lots of people saying they should not be talking about how this may was gay. Although NT talks all the time about how straight people are straight.

I think you missed the point- you don't need a badge.

"The National Trust should be open and welcoming to everyone and it shouldn't need a badge for one group and not the others. "

Absolutely!

For me this sums it up perfectly.

It's the 21st century FFS!

Isn't the issue that this should be felt at all necessary?

Oh great. So now we know the NT is still not welcoming of LGBT people. But is of heterosexual middle class white people. Their main clientele.

You are joking?

What do you think the whole season is about?

Why does enforced badge wearing become the index issue?

Madness.

As a gay woman, I would rather the volunteers have the option of wearing the lanyards or not wearing them. Just as I'd like to have the option of walking around an NT property holding hands with my female parter if the mood took me and if I had one!

Heavy-handed liberalism sickens me just as much as open bigotry.

Oh great. So now we know the NT is still not welcoming of LGBT people. But is of heterosexual middle class white people. Their main clientele.

sorry have reported my wrong link

Nice bomber jacket, Bingo

they've overturned the decision now, it will be optional.

Yes exactly.

Is it just me who hates the idea of an 'I'm a decent person' badge?! Because some of the people who wear it won't be, they will be wankers!

Mollyboom Yes and I have some friends and family members who are prejudiced.

No a perfect comparator is another equal rights badge or symbol. For example a badge about suffragettes, at a stately home where an active suffragette used to live. Or a badge about black rights, at a stately home that used to be owned by a black landowner. Because this is about equal rights. Comparing it to other political causes is either disingenuous or a sign that you do not understand the issues.

No I wouldn't brasty, hate to revert to the old cliche but I have plenty of gay friends and have been to their weddings.

chips4teaplease we don't all have to think the same way. You can be as homophobic, racist, sexist or disablist as you want but in public you are not allowed to act on those views

I hope that's a general you and you aren't referring to me personally. To choose not to wear a badge putting forward a particular agenda is not a 'homophobic, racist, or disablist' act.

I'll go along with the poster upthread who wants an 'I'm a decent person...' badge.

Yes why must anyone have to wear badges of something. If my employer insisted I think I'd be pissed off to.

Surely the whole point should be allowing them the freedom to choose to display a badge of whatever they support?

I feel the same about poppies. If people choose to wear them, that's fine but no one should be forced to.

That is the PERFECT comparator.

The NT should be trying to keep visitor numbers up and they should be trying to appeal to groups who haven't traditionally visited as much as others. This does not work against their objective of preserving heritage, it supports it, because unloved and undervalued heritage is seldom looked after as well as that which a wide section of society feels is relevant to them.
They're not making money for personal profit.

You've got to bit the right KIND of LGBT, LOUDLY AND agree with them on the particular issue of pin badges @babbity. Otherwise you don't count. That's how the illiberal liberals work

I feel the same about poppies. If people choose to wear them, that's fine but no one should be forced to.

Totally agree - it should be a personal decision. I am a volunteer too although not for the NT. I do agree with the braod aims of the charity I support or I wouldn't be there, but not every single little thing. I would not be impressed if all of a sudden this charity decided that we would also be wearing badges supporting a cause which is not in any way related to its work.