First 'chat with HR'

[Iwasonlytryingtohelp]

I mentioned LGB Alliance in a conf call (HR director asked for input on which diversity and inclusion external groups to engage with). Someone stated it was a transphobic organisation, so I just said I was happy to discuss off line. Today I have been approached by my HR business partner 'to chat'.

Good luck.

excellent

Best of luck. It's unbelievable people are having to explain "wrong think".

Good luck OP.

Just remind them that they are a charitable organisation who are an alternative to Stonewall for LGB people whose orientation is same-sex, rather than 'same-gender' attraction. And thatbit is worth noting that Stonewall has been found recently to be giving organisations unlawful advice with regards to the EA2010, and also targeting lesbian women like a protection racket, and has some civil suits ongoing for this at the moment, as do some organisations who followed their erroneous advice.

It's a job i love. I am going to take extreme care in what I say and what I don't.

Oh and maybe mention the recent decoupling from Stonewall by a number of big / respected organisations ...

Good luck!

Oh and it was an all-staff call, so guess I have announced I am GC to everyone. Which may not have been a good idea.

Good luck.

You could refer HR to the Charity Commission's report on LGBA's successful application for charitable status. Covers it all, really - and the Charity Commission is government affiliated.

Good idea. Thanks. I feel quite sick.

@Iwasonlytryingtohelp

It's a job i love. I am going to take extreme care in what I say and what I don't.

I'd be seriously tempted to ask that before the meeting you would like HR to speak to the original complainant and have them explain what is transphobic about LGB Alliance and let you know, because -

(1) You would like to be prepared if possible.
and
(2) obviously if you have been inadvertently supporting a transphobic organisation you would like to apologize to HR and those offended ASAP, as well as ceasing your support.

Well done for speaking up OP. I hope it goes well. There will be people on your side.

I was just going to suggest the same re charity commission - don't make it about LGB Alliance vs Stonewall - highlight the options available and share your view on why you might choose to steer away from some like stonewall due to current status.

This is 'light inflluencing'. If they chose stonewall for example then you can all Gung ho as to why, but you probably don't need to.

I do this regularly - not in my jobs remit but HR now regularly want to run things by me for my 'objective viewpoint'. Become of value and remain pragmatic.

I know that feeling. Try and quietly find some allies. Look at the chat in the Women's network / gender equality network. Look for who is not using pronouns. People with a scientific background are a good bet. Steer clear of HR and the social media team. Try and get someone else to speak up with you.

I am in the process of doing this myself...

Good luck.

The LGBA are keeping to the equality act - sexual orientation = protected characteristic = same sex attracted.

That’s all you need to say.

You are within the law.

Don't feel sick, mate, you can do this. If you want to keep it all low key and faux innocent - and who could blame you - just say you saw the press release from the Charity Commission and thought, 'oh, a nice new lovely charity for gay acceptance'. Keep batting it back to the Charity Commission.

(That Mermaids appeal won't go anywhere. Stonewall has already dropped out of it.)

You have Liz Truss and the EHRC on your side!

@JediGnot OP has said nothing about a complaint. She made a suggestion in a HR meeting and they are taking her up on her offer to chat offline.

Fabulous.

If you want an organisation who is excellent at the EA in workplaces look to Ann Sinnott's company AEA, they have a good reputation and are really on top of the EA. They already do this work, not sure LGBA are at this stage yet - put me right if that's incorrect.

Good for you @Iwasonlytryingtohelp Please come back and update us. I work in HR and the amount of EDI Material I have to update to reintroduce sex as the protected characteristic is astounding and frustrating. It really should not be that hard to be factually correct.

I hope they listen to you

Perhaps they are taking you up on your offer to explain more about them.

They focus on the rights of same sex attracted people, that’s it. There are plenty of organisations which focus only on trans issues, and they don’t have to defend why they don’t include the LGB

Sorry to hear you are feeling sick about this. I have worked for charities all my life. Becoming registered carries significant weight. Its not a lightweight process. It is a regulated sector. Moreover the Charity Comission appears to have been extremely diligent with LGBA because of the concerns which have been raised. And their report covers that in detail. Rather than get drawn into related issues, maybe point all this out. A legitimately registered charity should be a valid potential source of advice for any organisation.

This is what winds me up no end, that women are being cowed into silence. And I include myself in that. I have to guard myself on social media because I know I'm not tough enough to withstand the backlash if I so much as hint that I believe in biology.

Such unnecessary stress for you, but see it as an opportunity, too.
I did similar, in that I made myself feel a bit sick in an all senior staff call where I challenged an inclusion and diversity consultant on the use of "gender neutral" toilets, corrected it to mixed sex and asked how to reconcile with other protected characteristics (sex, religion) that needed single sex provision.

I'd be seriously tempted to ask that before the meeting you would like HR to speak to the original complainant and have them explain what is transphobic about LGB Alliance

I think don’t mention it unless HR directly refer to it. Go with the suggestion by PPs about LGBA campaigning for same-sex attracted people. If HR raise it, point to Charity Commission’s explanation re awarding LGBA charitable status, expressing your surprise and confusion that they could be considered transphobic.

What is GC? All I can think of is Gemma Collins!