US multinational releases film charting company’s progress towards LGBTQ equality
Last night celebrities and LGBTQ+ activists, including Sinitta (singer, LQBTQ+ ally), singer and actor Duncan James (Hollyoaks, Blue), activist and business leader Linda Riley (publisher of OutNews Global and DIVA), transgender actor and director Jake Graf, and Matthew Moore from LGBT charity Stonewall, all celebrated LGBT acceptance in the workplace, at the film screening of P&G’s ‘The Words Matter’ short film.
Forming an integral part of Pride celebrations in London this year, the film marks 25 years since sexual orientation was incorporated into Procter and Gamble’s corporate diversity statement. The Words Matter is a film that examines the journey, led by a small group of passionate employees who fought to be recognised and, in turn, changed the way companies thought about diversity.
The film celebrates the contributions those individuals made – often unrecognised – in changing the fabric of not only P&Gs workplace but the culture as a whole. Many companies around the world have gone through similar journeys and by telling their story P&G hopes to inspire others to stand up for what they believe in and create meaningful change. On the 25th anniversary of LGBTQ+ inclusion at P&G, it is important for all corporates to acknowledge these significant contributions – and also to share the lessons learnt to help inspire courageous leadership and positive actions to develop an even more inclusive company and community for everyone.
Following the film, the panel joined together to discuss the broader subject of inclusion in the workplace, talking openly and candidly about their own personal stories and experiences, both good and bad and how the words really do matter to them. For P&G this marks another step forward in helping to drive change and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community, after recently joining together with Stonewall as a founding partner of the Trans Allies programme, aimed at helping drive support for trans people in the workplace.
Tom Moody, VP for Northern Europe commented “Diversity and Inclusion is fundamental to the way we do business at P&G, our mission is for everyone to feel included, valued and able to perform at their PEAK. Programmes such as the Trans Allies partnership with Stonewall, and joining together with influencers in the LGBT space all help to raise awareness and address the very real challenges that still exist for LGBT employees in the workplace. It’s only by joining together with a common objective and voice that we can all drive positive change.”
