LGBTQ Workers' Forum

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning & Intersex (LGBTQ) Workers’ Forum represents LGBTQ council employees in the local authority.

Who are we?

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning & Intersex (LGBTQ) Workers' Forum provides networking and social opportunities, support and mentoring in partnership with the council's Communities, Equality and Third Sector Team, information and events for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, non-binary, intersex and questioning people who work for the council at all levels.

What does the LGBTQ Workers' Forum do?

Much of our work is internally-focussed, and revolves around offering LGBTQ staff development opportunities, creating networks of support and helping them with discrimination where it occurs.

However, we also look to involve the many diverse LGBTQ communities in the city in the council’s work.

Generally we aim to:

  • support personal development of members through training and empowerment opportunities
  • facilitate the involvement of LGBTQ staff in consultations council policies - in particular employment and human resource issues; we work to keep LGBTQ issues on top of the HR, equalities and policy agendas. If you have any ideas, feedback or suggestions we are always happy to listen and include them where appropriate
  • provide a confidential Support Network for members and a safe environment in which concerns can be discussed and addressed. If you need support at work, or are concerned about behaviour aimed at you or witnessed then again please contact us, in confidence below to tell us about it. A member of the steering group will be in direct contact with you to discuss any issues or offer advice in confidence
  • increase awareness of LGBTQ cultures and issues among council employees and our city
  • build relationships between members, the council and communities in the city through events, communications and joint work;  we work closely with LGBTQ, non-binary and intersex groups, charities and organisations in the city to support community events, such as IDAHOBIT, World Aids Day, Trans Gender Day of Remembrance, the Hate Crime Vigil, International Women's Day, Bi-Sexual Awareness Day, Disability Awareness Week, Black History Month, and many others and are a strong presence and supporters of both Trans Pride and Brighton Pride in the city
  • work with the BME Workers’ Forum, the Disabled Workers and Carers' Network, the Women's Network and the Unions to jointly address issues that are of common interest to all
  • keep members up to date through bulletins and wider newsletters

If you would like to find out more about what we do, or you are a Brighton & Hove City Council employee and would like to join the Forum, please email lgbtqworkersforum@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call Anna Spragg in the council's communities & equality team on 01273 291343.

If you would like to find out more about what we do, or you're a Brighton & Hove City Council employee and would like to join the Forum, please send an email to lgbtqworkersforum@brighton-hove.gov.uk or sabah.holmes@brighton-hove.gov.uk in the council's communities and equality team.

You can now follow us on twitter @LGBTQiWF or 'like' us or our LGBT Workers Forum Facebook page.

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