Breaking the barriers, LGBTQ opens up

The LGBT community is statistically one of the most discriminated against demographics in the world today. People hide their true identity in the workforce from the fear of being judged and rejection. Many gay and transgendered workers are being judged based on their sexual orientation and gender identity which have no impact on an individual’s ability to perform in workforce

The Global Diversity and Inclusion Summit 2018 was hosted by Ask Insights and BW Businessworld. The summit brought together some of the most recognized people including Monish Malhotra (CEO, Silver Monkey Communications), Keshav Suri (Executive Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group), Nitin Shukla (Fellow of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists). The panel was moderated by Jennifer Brown (President and CEO, Jennifer Brown Consulting).

Monish Malhotra expressed that corporates are fully free to exercise their freedom and that change is already started with companies like Godrej, employing people with differences. Embracing people as they are the need of the hour. Corporates should open with more employment to them.

Nitin Shukla shared that the freedom of speech is an empty right, till we get over our hesitation and anxiety of speaking up. He spoke about equality right. Us and Them have been a situation created repeatedly in the past.

Keshav Suri claimed that it is a high time that marginalised groups should be given equal rights in society. It talks about two things that can change scenario that is the role of education and entrepreneurs.

Jennifer Brown emphasised that we must begin to educate society and business, about the identities within LGBTQIA community which is rich in diversity and growing economic power but still to a large degree hiding in their families and at work. Conferences like this are a critical first step to opening the dialogue and awakening more allies to the cause.

Diversity is necessary and beneficial for business and a vital facet of success in today’s world. Ask Insights in partnership with Jennifer Brown Consulting are poised to start the LGBT conversation in India.