News
A blog to recognise International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)
By: Howard Lord, Managing Director
At CERT Property one of our main goals is to create communities within the physical spaces we create and to foster a sense of belonging. These communities we aim to create are inclusive of all, irrespective of age, sex or sexual orientation. We believe that everyone has the right to belong to whatever community they are a part of and that is why we are a strong support of the LGBTQIA+ community and an advocate against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
Our support for the LGBTQIA+ community goes beyond just words of support. We are a inclusive and employer, with a significant proportion of our team being LGBTQIA+ which is unusual for the property industry which historically has been a largely male dominated industry. We are keen to support our team to grow beyond glass ceilings they may have otherwise faced elsewhere. We do not tolerate any form of homophobia and have refused to work with suppliers who have exhibited this behaviour.
As well as being a diverse and inclusive employer, we also support the LGBTQIA+ community through events we host or sponsor. We have hosted events supporting local LGBTQIA+ artists, giving them the opportunity to showcase their works to the wider local community and have revolving exhibitions ongoing often showcasing works from local artists.
We are keen also to help support local LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs. We provided seed funding to a start-up run by two lesbian wives, Feel Good Club, which is a project aimed to increase inclusion, talk about mental health and give people somewhere to belong. We have also supported other local LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs in other ways, we have provided free advice to a number of LGBTQIA+ business owners and have given our commercial spaces to local LGBTQIA+ personal trainers on occasion to host classes and events.
If we have the opportunity to support diversity, inclusion then we must act on it. We are in a privileged position as a business to do that in some significant ways, however the support starts with the smallest action and everyone has the opportunity to support inclusion in some way or another. Everyone should have the right to belong and no one should be victimised for their sexual orientation and we at CERT are doing what we can to ensure this.
More News
