HSBC and LGBTQ+

[Roystonv]

I went into my local (20 mins away!) bank today for the first time in years and was concerned to see staff wearing as part of their uniform lanyards supporting the above/Pride. Think National Trust. I had no idea. I want to write to express this concern as a) I consider it bordering on political affiliation and b) there are others in far greater need at this time. It is a) I need help with. I do not wish to go down the Stonewall/Mermaid worm hole or bring up adult human female at this stage. Just a simple explanation of why it feels wrong but I am stuck. Any help gratefully received.

Why do you think it's wrong if someone chooses to wear a lanyard in support of LGBT? Start there.

Of course it's wrong. No one should be displaying allegiance to a belief system at work. Unprofessional and intimidating to people who know the gender woo woo is ridiculous at best and dangerous at worst.

Is it not them funding 'gender' change surgery for staff and families too?

Where do you stand on people wearing poppies?

Wearing poppies are nothing to do with a belief system. Facts matter. Science matters.

Wouldn't you need to know exactly why are they wearing prose lanyards to know if they are supporting something you don't believe in, or if they are supporting something based on facts - like equal rights for all regardless of things like sexual orientation? - a pride lanyard can mean a lot of things to different people

Thank you. Yes I had a think about poppies and have got this far; they are not bank affiliated and as far as I am aware employees are not required to wear them. In addition to many poppies, are not a symbol of war but recognition of the damage it has done and continues to do; they are an annual reminder. This is HSBC every day and seemed to be part of the uniform. HSBC clearly state they "raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and help influence positive change for employees and customers alike". They are not publicly supporting any others in 'need' such as the mentally ill or disabled. The lanyard left me in no doubt what their intentions are.

First Direct had an online landing page representing "Pride month" one year and including the one sided views of someone moaning about the failure to reform the GRA in favour of trans people. They never have special landing pages for other groups /initiatives and they received numerous complaints.
The complaints evidently worked as they've never had one since. Shame as I've been waiting for them to acknowledge VAWG, disability rights and child safeguarding.

Was every member of staff wearing a lanyard? Have you got anything to support that its part of the uniform or that anyone was being forced to wear one?

If you don't, then what grounds do you have for complaint?

If they allow staff to choose a lanyard and someone chooses to wear a pride one, maybe because they're gay, then what are you complaining about?

I think it's more for the staff to complain if they are being compelled (formally or informally) to wear these against their will. As a customer, you have the choice to give the bank your business or not.

Poppies are to do with a belief system 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don't wear them

Thank you for your help letter written now will post today.

Their head office currently displays a giant banner proclaiming "Gender is too fluid for borders" says it all really. Perhaps they should stick to banking in the current economic crisis.

If HSBC cared that much about LGBT people, perhaps they could stop operating in Qatar. Would say a lot more than sticking up some flags and handing out pins.

Would you be fine with an employer forcing a Muslim woman to remove her hijab?

I'm as gender critical as they come, but if someone wearing a rainbow lanyard offends you, then you really need a lesson in resilience.

You can't go through life without being exposed to things you don't like.

I suppose you are the sort of person that feels women shouldn't be allowed to wear green, white and purple in public

Urgh. Wearing a lgbt lanyard is all about supporting a minority and being gay, lesibisn, trans, queer is a fact - not a belief or political statement. Presumably the staff have a choice to wear or not.

Poppies aren't political

Wrong. LGBTQ+.
The plus to include furries and MAP persons.