Surrey LGBTQ+ Employee Network

Welcome

We believe it's important to ensure every business can create an inclusive environment for all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions within a workplace.


Larger places of work have employee networks that bring LGBTQ+ staff and their allies together, but what if you are a smaller organisation with no time to manage a network or with little idea who may be part of the LGBTQ+ community/want to support as an ally.


The Surrey LGBTQ+ Employee Network is here to help with just that. We provide a platform that allows employees to connect, whilst working with employers to shape their workplaces to become more inclusive.

What is LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning.

The '+' covers all other types of sexual and gender identities such as asexual, intersex and genderqueer.

What's the difference between sexual orientation & gender identity?

Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination of these) to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender.


Gender identity is defined as a personal conception of oneself as male, female, both, or neither. This conception is intimately related to a perceived gender role; this is defined as a presentation (typically within an external context) that reflects a given gender identity.

We are Pride in Surrey

Our mission is to Celebrate, Educate & Connect the LGBTQ+ community of Surrey and its allies, recognising intersectionality and never leaving anyone behind!

From our mission we can take our 3 values and apply them to the LGBTQ+ employee network:

  Celebrate

Celebrate individual personalities and how they can provide a unique approach to every work setting whilst also recognising positive outcomes in diversity & inclusion across employers in Surrey.

  Educate

Educating everyone about the evolving challenges and  needs of those who may be LGBTQ+ in a workplace whilst recognising intersectionality and overall diversity & inclusion.

   Connect

Connecting the collective voices of both employee and employer network members, providing continual support & guidance as needed and challenging the barriers of workplace isolation.

The Network

This employee network, by Pride in Surrey welcomes all LGBTQ+ people and our allies,

who work full or part time in Surrey.


The network aims to support anyone who self-identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We are keen to include allies as they are people who are not LGBTQ+ but want to stand in solidarity with us.


The network aims to always remain inclusive of all genders and sexualities, as well as being intersectional in our outlook - working closely with, and in solidarity with, anti-racist, decolonising, trans, intersex, pro-trans feminist, disability support groups, neurodivergent individuals, GRT, the working-class, sex worker rights campaigns and liberation projects (at minimum).


What to expect

  • As an employee

    • Monthly virtual meeting: for registered members to join in anonymously or openly. Opening with successes regarding current experiences or through direct support of the network, we will celebrate together. Suggestions, like the employees, can then be submitted anonymously or openly and discussed further to help best educate all employers who are part of the network. 
    • Two annual anonymous employee surveys: one upon signup and the second after 6 months. These will likely be multiple choice satisfaction questions that gather a measured feel for how employees are treated.
    • Social events: Invitation to social events in safe settings where you can meet like-minded individuals and break away from any feeling of isolation. 
    • Well-being guide: including feel good quotes, information on local and national support services, exercise hints and tips and even healthy meal recipes. As well as tips on dealing with certain uncomfortable conversations within the workplace. 


  • As an employer

    • Regular network data: including statistical analysis of multiple choice satisfaction questions that employees have answered - remember, just because a load of employees may give a negative response, we are not aiming to directly call out negative behaviour. We are all in this to support each other.
    • Employer meeting invite: Taking place on virtually for registered employers to join anonymously or openly. We would expect this to be aimed at HR leads, CEOs, or middle-to-top management. All discussions will be noted in an anonymous manner so this can be impartially evaluated. If discussions held find that something is not understood as an issue for employers, we are able to ensure that training is rolled out for all employers of the network.
    • Access to support and guidance: this could be via training videos or one-to-one meetings which look at providing more direct support in implementing recommended areas
    • Access to subsidised training / development: with a range of sessions available from Pride in Surrey (Surrey LGBTQ Pride CIC) including but not limited to, diversity & inclusion, unconscious bias, mental health & well-being, LGBTQ+ history and sexual orientation & gender identity. 



How to join


With the aim to connect Surrey SME's and ensure all employees' voices are heard, this network is free to join and welcomes any individual who may be LGBTQ+ or an ally. As an individual membership is entirely free and you can choose whether you wish to remain anonymous or attend the monthly meetings as yourself.


Organisations signing up as employers will benefit from 12 months free membership providing access to regular impartial insights from employees across the network, quarterly employer meetings and guidance/support from the community.  After 12 months membership can be renewed with a donation to Surrey LGBTQ Pride CIC, enabling them to continue operating the network that is a valuable resource for many.

Training and additional support services for organisations are subject to a small fee however subsidised for members, please contact us at any time if you wish to discuss available options. Training sessions include but not limited to: Unconscious Bias, LGBTQ+ History, Sexual orientation & gender identity, Mental health & well-being, EDI & Intersectionality.

Online Meeting:

The Employee Network Meeting will be on

Friday 26th May at 2pm

Invitations will be sent via e-mail


What are you waiting for? Join the network using the form below today.

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

"Now we can offer a genuinely safe support network to all our employees and they don't have to feel they have to disclose anything to us that they're not ready to."

Sally Pritchett (She/Her)
CEO of Something Big

Member registration

Contact Us

No information shared during registration will be shared with any thirdparty. We do not contact employers off the back of any membership but kindly ask, if you are able to share information about our network with them, it would be appreciated. 

Lets find out about your role in the workplace:

For Employers wishing to join the network:

Would you like to recieve membership updates relevant to your selected membership/s?

Promoting the network & communication:

All members will receive confirmation of meeting dates and information surrounding any changes to the operation of the network.

Attention: All personal employee details will remain anonymous - only indicative that at least ONE person is in the Network. 

Membership Meeting Log in

The monthly and quarterly meeting information will be sent to you via e-mail. To log in to each meeting please enter the information below. Please be aware that you do not have to use your real name if you wish to remain anonymous.

Join meeting
Share by: