Respect welcomes Tatchell

You're invited to The Co-operative Group’s ‘Respect’ network’s ‘Learn More About Event’ featuring Peter Tatchell, Stonewall and the Lesbian & Gay Foundation

The Co-operative’s multi-award winning employee lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network Respect have organised an event that will let us all know more about diversity within The Co-operative and Equality in the workplace and beyond and you’re invited. Everyone is welcome!

When and where
24th May 2013, from 5.30pm until 8.30pm (doors open at 5pm)
The Co-operative, 1 Angel Square (auditorium), Manchester, M60 0AG

We don’t do things by half and we have an esteemed panel of speakers including:

Paul Flowers – Chair of The Co-operative Banking Group, Deputy Chair of The Co-operative Group and Senior Sponsor of the Respect Network. Paul will open the event and share his own personal experiences of growing up and living as a gay man in the UK and how important diversity is to The Co-operative Group.

Peter Tatchell – The legendary campaigner and activist will talk about his work campaigning for LGBT equality over the years. Peter has contributed to many landmark changes that have made the UK (and other parts of the world) a safer and better place to live for many minority groups.

Charlie Wheeler-Quinnell – Representing leading lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall, Charlie will talk more about equality in the workplace and how we can all support creating and maintaining an inclusive and safe workplace where employees feel they can be their true selves at work, performing to the best of their abilities. She will also let us all know a bit more about Stonewall and the work they do all over the UK.

Paul Martin – As Chief Executive of one of the largest LGBT charities in the UK, the Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF), Paul will talk about how important it is that LGBT people have a voice in their local community and the ways in which anyone can get more involved. The LGF do lots of amazing work.

Sharon Pegg – Sharon is The Co-operative’s Inclusion & Diversity Manager and she will talk more about diversity and inclusion within The Co-operative, the journey to where we are now and how important an inclusive workplace is. Did you know The Co-operative has been voted the most diverse business in the UK?

What else can you expect?

Following their presentations, you will have an opportunity to ask the panel questions, network with other employees of The Co-operative, as well as representatives from employee networks from other organisations including John Lewis, Asda, Tesco, o2, Waitrose, Vodafone, McDonalds and many more. And hopefully learn something new too.

We will also be launching the UK’s first Inter-Retail LGBT network called checkOUT. Come and find out more!

You can enjoy nibbles and bubbly from The Co-operative Food, delicious cakes from Village Bakers and at the end of the event, wine from Respect’s event wine sponsor Barefoot Wine. Non alcoholic drinks will also be served.

Everyone is welcome to the event.

RSVP by emailing respectLGBT@co-operative.coop We have limited spaces so please book your place asap to avoid disappointment

If you have any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us via respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

Keep updated by following us on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT We have over 3,200 followers, come and join us!

Published: 9-May-2013: (1906)