« You can’t ask to be included yourself if you’re not going to include others », says LGBT+ ally Georgina Crockford (Interview)
Georgina Crockford is a Talent Acquisition Specialist for Enterprise’s European Corporate Office. She is responsible for recruiting talent for various roles within several departments ranging across IT, marketing, accounting and sales. Georgina is also an active member of Enterprises’ internal LGBT+ network Enterpride.
What is your experience of being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community?
Around a year and a half into my career at Enterprise I joined Enterpride as an ally to the LGBT+ community within our workplace. Since being on the committee, I have helped organise and conduct different events throughout the year such as PRIDE events, National Student Pride and internal events celebrating LGBT history month.
How, when and why did you decide to be an LGBT+ ally?
I have always felt passionate about equality and believe that we need to be all-inclusive. I do not think we can, or should, strive for equality for one particular strand of diversity, we need to strive for all equality for everyone. I have always felt particularly passionate about the LGBT+ community because, in my opinion, love does no harm and it upsets me to think that anyone would be discriminated against or receive hate crime for loving another person. I think that people should be free to be who they want to be, and for that reason, I felt encouraged to be an LGBT+ ally.
How do you think allies can be (more) vocal?
I don’t necessarily believe you have to be ‘vocal’, but I think it is important not to be a bystander. If you hear someone saying derogatory or offensive things about, or to, the LGBT+ community, it is important that you speak up and take the time to educate that person, in the right way. I would like to think that, typically, a person’s intentions aren’t bad, I think the majority of people just need help in understanding why using such words is potentially hurtful or offensive to the LGBT+ community.
As well as this, I think it is important to attend and support any events, inside and outside of work, around diversity and inclusion; I have been doing this for years and every event that I attend I learn something new. Diversity is a topic where you will continuously learn more. Additionally, it clearly shows your colleagues and your friends that you support the LGBT+ community.
There are also ways to visualise how your support, for example, adding the Transgender/LGBT+ Flag to your email address, or at Enterprise, we have rainbow lanyards, this visual support is equally as important as the words we use, and often actions speak louder than words.
How does your organisation facilitate the inclusion of allies with your LGBT+ network?
Our Enterpride board is a mixture of LGBT+ members as well as straight allies, this is also reflected in our national LGBT+ sub-committees. We are inclusive of everyone and each individual has a positive influence on our events throughout the year.
Are you a vocal ally with other minority groups? If yes, do you think you could help create a relationship and be a bridge between these groups? How?
I think people are who they are, regardless of whether they are LGBT+, have a disability, whatever their religious beliefs or their ethnicity. I think it is important that all minority groups are supported. At Enterprise all of our diversity sub-committees collaborate throughout the year at the events that we hold internally and externally. For example, recently the LGBTQ+ committee collaborated with the Mental Health committee and the event was hugely successful. This coming year we will be collaborating with the Race, Religion and Ethnicity committee. It is important that organisations represent intersectionality between these groups to help employees feel more comfortable and to educate further.
Have you been involved in any activities with your organisation’s LGBT+ network, which ones? Do you march at Pride?
I have been involved in a variety of activities that support the LGBT+ network. I have marched at 4 different Pride events, I took part in the Enterprise sponsored Stonewall Walk, and during LGBT history month I attend film viewings, which are thought provoking and open to the public. Moreover, I have been on panels and contributed to numerous educational campaigns such as National Coming Out Day, Trans Awareness Week and LGBT History Month.
Have you ever been a witness of an LGBTQ-phobic situation at work or outside the workplace? How have you reacted?
I have experienced a homophobic situation at home, one of my family members used the word ‘gay’ with a negative implication, so I took the opportunity to educate them as to why it was wrong and inappropriate. When I was younger I used to get angry and defensive regarding these topics. However, as I have gotten older I have realised that this was the wrong approach, as it just caused the person I was talking to to become defensive. I have learned that the best way to handle these situations would be to help people understand and educate them on the topic.
What do you think could be improved in the workplace to include LGBT+ people?
There are always ways we can make the workplace more inclusive. At Enterprise we have a fantastic trans toolkit for employees who wish to come out at work, I would like to see more initiatives like this. I would also like to see more lesbian and bi representation.
Would you work for a non-inclusive organisation?
No. Absolutely not.
What makes an organisation inclusive for you?
Organisations should aim to set the culture and expectations around diversity and discrimination from day one so that employees understand and respect the environment in which they work. I also think that an inclusive organisation is one where individuals are accepted for who they are and have the opportunity to work in an environment where they will not be judged.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become an ally?
The world can always do with people who can make a difference. Reach out to someone who is an existing ally and ask questions or talk about your fears, they probably faced the same fears as you! I can’t think of a negative of becoming an ally so go ahead!
What has been your greatest achievement as an ally?
I think my greatest achievement is being able to tackle stigma towards the LGBT+ community in and outside of work. If I help someone feel more comfortable and accepted, then to me that is an achievement in itself; all I want is for people to be who they are and feel comfortable showing it.
What advice would you give to LGBT+ people to better welcome allies?
You can’t ask to be included yourself if you’re not going to include others. Again, you must live and breathe what you stand by. Inclusion is for everyone.
