At Creative Access, our community is everything to us.
We were founded on the mission to uplift and support people from under-represented backgrounds in the creative industries who face barriers to accessing opportunities and progressing their careers.
The trans community is one of several under-represented groups that we are committed to championing with our work, through positive action schemes and long-term career development. This will never change.
We are deeply concerned by the rise in anti-trans rhetoric in the media, the recent Supreme Court ruling on gender definitions, and the impact that this is having on the safety and wellbeing of the trans community – at work and at home.
Against this backdrop, this Pride Month it is more important than ever for us, and all allies of the trans community, to show up and voice our solidarity.
We know that so many of the employer partners that we work with, as well as our wider community of creative individuals and supporters, feel the same and want to know how they can give their support. So, here’s our list of actions, advice and educational materials you can share this month – and every month – to live out your allyship.
And, if you’re a trans person, we have support, community and career guidance for you too.
Tips for employers
If you’re an employer, now’s the time to act. There are some simple ways to make the workplace welcoming for everyone and upskill your team with the knowledge they need to contribute to an inclusive workplace.
Sharing pronouns
Including pronouns in email signatures or wearing pronoun pins helps avoid accidentally misgendering people. Encouraging all employees to include their pronouns in their email signatures or at the start of meetings with new clients not only normalises the use of sharing pronouns within the workplace but also means that trans and gender non-conforming employees feel less singled out for doing so.
Gender neutral bathrooms
Everyone has a right to access appropriate and accessible bathrooms. Having a space where everyone can use the bathroom is vital – versus only offering single-sex toilets. These bathrooms can be used by anyone and help avoid unsafe or frightening situations for trans and gender non-conforming people.
Uplift the trans and wider LGBTQIA+ community outside of Pride
Although it is great to see companies showing their allyship during Pride Month, it’s important that employers are just as invested in the LGBTQIA+ community outside of Pride. Making sure your company and workplace is inclusive and supportive throughout the rest of the year is what makes your workplace a positive space.
Showcase your commitment to DE&I
Seeking out training on inclusive workplaces, and trans and wider LGBTQIA+ issues is an important step in creating an inclusive environment. This is not limited to just employers but employees too. When everyone is informed, your trans employees are less likely to feel distressed in the workplace. Find out more about Creative Access’ training offer.
Tips for individuals
If you’re a trans person looking for a paid internship, new job a mentoring programme, or networking events, you can access our recruitment services and positive action schemes. Our positive action schemes haven’t changed, and our community is here for you. You’ll always be welcome at Creative Access events and within our networks.
What is a positive action scheme? A positive action scheme is a strategic initiative under the Equality Act 2010 which allows organisations to provide training opportunities to certain groups of the population as long as they can prove that:
- The opportunity is a training role and not a job
- It is targeting a group of the population proven to be under-represented in the sector in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers.
How do you define the term ‘people with the characteristic of gender reassignment’? In the Equality Act, gender reassignment means proposing to undergo, undergoing or having undergone a process to reassign your sex. Under section 7 of the Equality Act 2010, you are protected from discrimination based on gender reassignment. You do not need to have undergone any medical treatment or surgery to change from your birth sex to your lived gender. Moreover, you can be at any stage in your transition, and it does not matter if you have obtained or are planning to obtain a Gender Reassignment certificate.
Learn more about the career support we offer at Creative Access and explore our latest opportunities.
Here are some other organisations doing incredible work with resources you can access to learn more about your rights in the workplace and for mental health support:
