1. Welcome to LGBT History Month
June 2017
What is LGBT History Month?
It is a month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. LGBT History Month highlights role models and allies to the LGBT & wider community. This has formed stronger communities showing their support for civil rights.
Here’s a great quote from someone who attended a Youth Pride event in London last year, which shows exactly why these community events are so important: “I felt much more confident in being myself and to be open with my sexuality, especially being around others whom identify with the LGBT+ community, and it was amazing to see so many different groups and people in support of pride watching the parade; it made me feel we are going in the right direction.”
As you can see these events demonstrate how key symbols and community engagement can empower others.
What’s coming up?
LGBT History Month tells us how by identifying with role models and allies for LGBT, we build strong engaged communities.
So over the next few weeks we will be bringing you different
‘60 seconds with...’ from partners who work within our area.

2. Russell Waterhouse Why the flag ? Accord Organiser
What does being a ally for the LGBT community in TSB mean to you? Being seen as a role-model for the LGBT community in TSB is a massive compliment. Since I completed the Stonewall Role Model course, I now think differently about the language I use. I try and offer a friendly face so people feel they can ask me questions about anything they want. In my current role with Accord (the union for TSB), I get to meet new people every day and it's great to have a perspective that challenges assumptions. I also challenge myself about assumptions I make about others. What difference do you think you’ve made since becoming an ally? It's hard to know what difference I've made, but I hope I've helped influence perceptions and understanding of LGBT people. Even I've changed the way I talk about myself - I now say "I'm married to my husband" rather than just saying "my partner". I also correct people when they ask about my 'wife' rather than just brushing it off. I think I've got people talking more openly about the LGBT community which is always an achievement. What does pride month mean to you? Change. It started with riots almost 30 years ago and now, it's a celebration where everyone is welcome. I grew up with Section 28 where people couldn't even talk about being gay. And where gay people on television were automatically stereotyped. Pride month allows people to be themselves and that's massive - especially in places around the world where people are still getting persecuted just for being who they really are. How are you going to celebrating? I'll be celebrating with my husband Michael and my mate Jay at Hereford Pride, where I can wear something far too tight for a man in his forties!

3. Jay Parmenter Why the flag ? Local Banker
What does being an ally for the LGBT community in TSB mean to you? Firstly I feel honoured to be called an ally and role-model for the LGBT in TSB. I was asked to attend a role-models conference through Stonewall, and was quite anxious about doing it because I thought “I am who I am”. However since going through the conference and working with other LGBT people in different industries, I understood what it feels like to be singled out, to not know who to turn to, or where to go for help/advice. Being a role-model in the LGBT community to me is presenting myself in the best light possible, and being a “go-to” person for anyone who simply may need to talk or would like information regarding LGBT issues or policies both in work and outside of work. What difference do you think you’ve made since becoming an ally? When I attend meetings/conferences etc a lot of partners know who I am from the work I’ve done on the LGBT inclusion groups. It’s great to know that they identify me as one of the partners they can turn to for help/advice etc. The LGBT community is something that is very close to my heart, and for those of you that know me you’ll know I’m not one scream about it, and am very happy to talk about my personal experiences to anyone so that they can benefit from the help/advice I can give. If I was to help just one person out of all the partners I feel I would have achieved my aim to becoming an ally and role-model. What does pride month mean to you? Pride is important to me because it’s something that’s so close to my heart. I grew up in a small town where “Being Gay” was not the right thing to be because of the repercussions. So to now be in a place where being Gay is widely accepted means the world to me. Celebrating this fact is also important because it shows how far the LGBT community has come with the education, and development of important issues...But I’ll never lose sight of the fact that I’m just like any other person in the street. How are you going to celebrating?
I have been working with the national and local inclusion teams to try and celebrate this within TSB. We have arranged to celebrate this all over the country and we will be attending some local pride events and the closest to us will be Hereford (July 29th) and Bristol (July 8th). Personally though I will be celebrating with partner who lives and works in Birmingham as a Policeman as he has recently come-out to his family, and accepted him for who he is. We will be attending Hereford Pride, and would be great to see as many of you there as possible. It’s not totally aimed at gay people – anyone can attend the event where we can all get together, have a drink and celebrate how far we’ve come as a gay friendly community.

4. Claire Steele Why the flag ? Area Director
What does being an ally for the LGBT community in TSB mean to you? I am a firm believer that everyone has the right be accepted for who they are and being “different” to the perceived norm is a good thing not a bad one. I unfortunately still witness sill throw away remarks about people’s sexuality which are never intended to upset but need to be challenged as the intent behind “ a bit of banter” and the impact of that banter can be really quite different. I lost a good friend of mine recently who was in such a bad place that he took his own life and it was clear to his friends that his parents (father in particular) never accepted the fact that he was gay. I think such a lack of acceptance contributed to his overall unhappiness, albeit it wasn’t the only factor but it was such a waste of a life. What difference do you think you’ve made since becoming an ally? I hope that I have created a culture within our Area of acceptance and tolerance and I think everyone knows that we will not put up with any kind of prejudice in TSB. However – it is the unconscious bias where I think we still need to make a difference – for example use of neutral nouns rather than the assumption that someone’s partner is of the opposite sex. We all make assumptions every day – even I do, so there is still work to be done. What does pride month mean to you? Apart from a few good parties, I think Pride Month should be used to celebrate our differences and reflect on the journey of gay rights in the UK. It is also a time to remember that not every country has the right protection in place for LGBT people. Unfortunately there are still some supposedly first world countries that don’t recognise same sex marriage and in some countries being gay can literally be life threating! How are you going to celebrating?
I am delighted that on 29th July, We are going to be celebrating LGBT Pride in Hereford and we are having a TSB stand with partners joining in. I would encourage as many partners and their family/friends to come along as possible – it will be a really fun event!