Pride in Leadership in conversation with Global Butterflies

We were delighted to be invited by Emma Cusdin of Global Butterflies to join her community for an open and honest conversation about LGBTQ+ leadership, our recent research, and what organisations and allies can do to make workplaces safer and more inclusive.

Emma is the co-founder of Global Butterflies, which helps businesses become more trans and non-binary inclusive. She has long been a leading voice on LGBTQ+ inclusion, and her “in conversation” series creates space for exactly the kind of thoughtful discussion our community needs.

Catch the conversation here – https://lnkd.in/eMQbrG43

Why Pride in Leadership exists

Pride in Leadership began with a simple but telling moment. Claire and Matt had worked together for years before realising that both were gay. As Claire put it, “If we can’t even see each other, how can we support each other?” That invisibility became the spark for building a network that would connect LGBTQ+ leaders across the UK.

Researching the barriers

When we launched our survey, we thought 200 responses would be a success. Instead, 1,015 LGBTQ+ people from across the UK shared their experiences of work, leadership, and career progression.

The results weren’t surprising, but they were stark. Over 70% reported a lack of LGBTQ+ role models in leadership. Almost half had experienced hostile work environments. 42% felt unsupported by HR. For trans and non-binary people, the barriers were consistently higher across the board.

But the report wasn’t only about challenges. As Matt reflected, “Coming out every day is an act of leadership.” The resilience built through navigating difficult environments helps to build powerful leadership skills.

Stand out themes

• Confidence and role models
  Confidence came through strongly. People spoke about being told they were “too nice” or had “too feminine a voice” to be promoted. Mentoring and visible role models can counteract those messages.
• The velvet rut
  The idea of a “velvet rut” struck a chord. This is the rare sense of safety LGBTQ+ people sometimes find in a team or organisation. Many stay in a job they’ve outgrown rather than risk losing it. As Matt explained, “That safety feels precious, and people stick it out rather than risk moving somewhere unsafe.”
• Recruitment red flags
  Recruitment processes still throw up biases. One participant was told they’d crossed their legs in “too gay a way” in an interview. Another removed pronouns from a CV and was suddenly offered a role. “It’s incredible that someone would say, ‘we won’t recruit you because you’re LGBTQ+’, but it still happens.”
• Flags and cupcakes
  Visible gestures like rainbow flags and cupcakes matter, especially this year when LGBTQ+ communities are under extra pressure. But they aren’t enough. “We need to go deeper. It can’t just be flags.”

What allies can do

Both Claire and Matt emphasised the importance of active allyship.

• Speak up, even if clumsily: “We need to hear as many allies as possible saying this isn’t okay.”
• Recognise the pressure LGBTQ+ colleagues are under, particularly in the current political climate. “You can’t expect people to perform at work as if nothing is happening.”
• Be allies to each other within the LGBTQ+ community. “We are stronger together.”

What’s next for Pride in Leadership

We’re sharing our research with organisations across the UK, running monthly events, and building towards our annual conference in Manchester this November, where 200 LGBTQ+ leaders and allies will gather to share stories, learn, and connect.

A thank you

A huge thank you to Emma Cusdin and Global Butterflies for hosting the conversation and helping us amplify these stories. Pride in Leadership is a network for all LGBTQ+ people, and we stand firmly with our trans siblings at a time when solidarity is more important than ever.

If you’d like to go further, check out the LGBT training available through On The Level, and explore the practical solutions Global Butterflies offers to organisations. Together, we can build workplaces where all LGBTQ+ people can thrive.

You can also find out more about Pride in Leadership, join our events, and download the full report at prideinleadership.co.uk.

Catch the conversation here – https://lnkd.in/eMQbrG43