There has been a couple of examples this past few weeks where the “commitment to diversity” has been all about LGBTQI community and not any other and it’s really starting to bother me. As does the language used around it.
My work are celebrating pride month. Fine all good go ahead. But I do wonder - and I haven’t yet dared ask but I might - when is disability awareness month ? Is there one ? If so I didn’t hear anything about that at my work. Only the LGBTQI again. Why do they dominate so much ?
What about the rest of the protected characteristics ? I know there is international women’s day (and international men’s day) but you never hear much about anything else.
I’m also aware of black history month but I don’t believe my work has every celebrated that.
Then last week I also go lt a survey through about a hobby (I know it’s a cliche but I can’t say what it is) and that they want to do a survey for their (again) LGBTQI members. The survey was for all members though - asked how I identify and I said female as I was born as such and didn’t not have a gender identity.
It also asked if we had seen examples of “welcoming language or behaviour” towards said LGBTQI members.
I answered that no I had not as the only gay member of our team was treated exactly the same as everyone else from what I had seen. Surely that is the goal ? Someone being gay shouldn’t be seen as “other” anymore ?
It was anonymous so I felt I could say what I did politely.
There really does seem an over focus on this group and also of …I can’t quite articulate it but if I were uncharitable I would say fawning behaviour being required by organisations to show they’re doing their bit.
Where is this level of support for the disabled community ? I now have a serious illness and there is fuck all support for me and certainly I have never seen disability awareness month at my work. We did at least have mental health awareness day which is something I suppose. But certainly not an entire month nor surveys done to check we are inclusive enough via my hobby.