MVF presenta con orgullo su red LGBTQ+

‘Imagine not being able to talk about your children at work, or deliberately using “my partner” to hide the fact you love a member of the same sex. This is how some workplaces make LGBT people feel. I’ve always felt free to bring my whole-self to work at MVF and I’m proud that this group and initiative will consciously enshrine that in our culture.’ – Mike Johnson CTO, speaking about MVF’s LGBTQ+ Network.

Who we are in October 2019 is a group of MVFers from different teams and backgrounds, of different gender identities and sexualities established The MVF LGBTQ+ Network. Our goal is to empower people by centralizing, celebrating and advocating LGBTQ+ culture at MVF, creating an inclusive environment where people can be safe, visible and proud. To educate others and hold ourselves to the highest standards.

Why are we doing it?

According to GLAAD “more than 40% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people and almost 90% of transgender people have experienced employment discrimination, harassment or mistreatment”, which we’re sure you’ll agree is unnacceptable in any workplace today.

At MVF we pride ourselves on our culture, our differences and we cheer for people to be their authentic selves. We want to do our part in creating change.

We want to reinforce MVF as an inclusive and safe space. We want MVFers to bring their best selves to work, which means bringing their whole selves to work.

And with this we hope to help bring change outside of MVF too. Co-Chair of the Network Borja Izquierdo states “The workplace is where we spend most of our days, a place to grow, learn and achieve. We want to make everyone shine their brightest without any fears by providing them a safe space and making them feel like they belong”

What we’re doing Over the coming months the MVF LGBTQ+ Network are introducing a range of initiatives, events, external speakers and facilitated workshops to the company and beyond.

We’ll lead the way in reviewing policies and processes throughout MVF, whilst always advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.

Equipped with formal training, we’ve created specialised Pastoral Care roles within the network. These MVFers are a key contact for support; approachable, empathetic and non-judgemental listeners they who are known to all MVFers.

One of them will be me, and I’m so excited to contribute my time to this! Regular networking and social events are pencilled into MVF’s activity calendar allowing us to celebrate and share our inclusive environment.

In the future we’re planning to reachout to like-minded networks, teams and organisations to positively affect change at a wider scale, not just within MVF, but outside too!

We want to make a real difference by empowering, celebrating and advocating LGBTQ+ culture.

If you’ve enjoyed this blog and would like to chat about joining forces or even volunteer your services and support we’d love to hear from you on [email protected]

By Maria Cranfield – Senior Producer and Pastoral Carer at MVF. We’d like to invite you to follow our social media channels to keep up with the latest developments from our networks. Search for @MVFGlobal on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn