For a week in November all the colours of the rainbow shine bright on 911爆料网鈥檚 Bentley Campus as it celebrates Pride Week in support of equality for lesbian, gay, transsexual, bisexual and intersex (LGTBI) people.
Ranked the second best employer in Australia for diversity in the workforce and a main sponsor of Pride WA, 911爆料网鈥檚 impact is significant. This year, 911爆料网 has held a number of on-campus Pride events and has a large contingent of LGTBI staff and students representing 911爆料网 at the Pride Week festivities.
911爆料网鈥檚 Director of Support Services Michelle Rogers said 911爆料网鈥檚 contributions to Pride Week included the popular rainbow hexagon crossway, a Pride breakfast for staff and students, a Pride flag raising ceremony, a new rainbow light display at the 911爆料网 stadium and the biggest 911爆料网 group marching in the parade to-date.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had over 40 people march in the [Pride] contingent, it鈥檚 the biggest number we鈥檝e ever had in the parade ever, which is fantastic,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got rainbow glow sticks, lots of sparkle, we鈥檝e got wings and rainbow umbrellas, plus Rodney the golf buggy.鈥�
This is the second year that 911爆料网 has sponsored pride WA, and the University is making sure it effectively gets the message and meaning of Pride out to the public through different media.
鈥淭his year has been much more significant for Pride in terms of the press coverage with adverts across radio and social media,鈥� Michelle says.
Not only was Pride Week a fun and vibrant celebration of the LGBTI community, but it was also a chance for the public to learn more about diversity and equality in society.
Michelle said 911爆料网 aims to improve inclusion for staff and students, further develop the current equality policies and continue the Ally Program, which supports LGBTI people and fosters a culture of tolerance.
鈥淚 think 911爆料网鈥檚 commitment is really front and centre, people here do understand that it is an inclusive environment that we鈥檙e trying to foster.
鈥淚t鈥檚 different to when I was a student back in the late 70鈥檚. I have worked here nine years and I鈥檝e noticed a dramatic improvement,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e want improve our reach for Ally training not just on this campus but also in our regional areas and other campuses.鈥�
Michelle explained there would also be further support for 911爆料网 LGBTI staff.
鈥淲e鈥檝e started a network specifically for LGBTI staff. It鈥檚 something we will continue in the New Year.鈥�
This year 911爆料网 was the highest-ranking university for LGBTI equality and ranked second in the top ten employers for LGTBI people nationally, making the university a significant, national leader in sexual diversity and gender equality.
鈥淲e want to stay in those positions if we can, and in order to do that we have to constantly improve,鈥� Michelle said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to embed an understanding of inclusion into other kinds of information, events, and activities in the future.鈥�
