The German Diversity Day takes place every year and is a initiative of Charta der Vielfalt e.V.. Companies and organizations across Germany participate with a wide range of online and offline activities on diversity – whether for their own employees or the general public. The aim is to bring diversity in all its dimensions into focus in the workplace. This year, the 9th German Diversity Day (#DDT21) will take place on May 18 and all actions will be collected digitally under the hashtag #VielfaltVerbindet. All further information about the day of action can be found on the website of Charta der Vielfalt e.V..

We are in!

We will guide you through our seven HOW TO guides for #DDT21 on our website and social media. The guides highlight social changes from a business perspective. They show options for action that put companies and organizations on the safe side while also taking into account the needs of employees. Gain insights into topics such as “Same-sex marriage” “The third gender option” or learn something about gender-inclusive language with our “Sprechen Sie LGBT*IQ” guide.

HOW TO – our lgbt*iq guides

HOW TO NO. 1 | GERMAN

Same-sex Marriage and What it Means for Businesses

Dear businesspeople and other interested parties, we would like to provide you below with a short guide regarding the changes you can expect in everyday business life as a result of marriage equality and how you can respond to them.

HOW TO NO. 2 | GERMAN & English

UN LGBTI Standards of Conduct for Business


A theoretical overview of the UN LGBTI Standards of Conduct for Business and practical suggestions for implementation in everyday business life.

HOW TO NO. 3 | GERMAN

Do You Speak LGBT*IQ?

Language is much more than just a way to express ourselves – it’s also a mirror to our society. It tells us who is truly considered a full member and who is only included as a footnote. If you want to know how everyone can be included linguistically, you will find practical everyday answers and examples in this guide.

HOW TO No. 4 | GERMAN & ENGLISH

LGBT*IQ FOR BEGINNERS. WHY DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE PAYS OFF. A GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS.

The perfect piece of reading for all employers who have understood that they will meet LGBT*IQ topics all over their company. A beginner’s guide from A as in acronym (what does LGBT*IQ actually mean?) to Z as in zero disturbances concerning personnel development. It will then be clear why the commitment to equal opportunities in the workplace is financially and culturally worthwhile and how diversity can materialize into minds and structures.

HOW TO No. 5 | GERMAN & ENGLISH

LGBT*IQ FOR EMPLOYEES. LGBT*IQ – AND YOU? COMING OUT FOR INSIDERS.

With this guide, we primarily address members of the LGBT*IQ community who wish to appear with their whole self in their everyday work. The guide provides answers to important questions and practical tips for coming out at the workplace.

HOW TO No. 6 | GERMAN & ENGLISH

ALLYSHIP. ALLIES AT WORK. A GUIDE FOR LGBT*IQ ALLIES IN EVERDAY WORKING LIFE

Anyone can be a LGBT*IQ ally anytime and anywhere – that is the ideal case! This guide is primarily aimed at the situation of employees. We show, where they can find other LGBT*IQ allies in their company and give them concrete recommendations for successful cooperation.

HOW TO No. 7 | german

THE THIRD OPTION AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN COMPANIES.

What does gender mean? What is the introduction of a third gender option all about? And what does it mean for employees and employers? In this guide, we have collected answers – as well as measures to implement the law in companies and create an open work culture.

Campaign #QueerAtWork for IDAHOBIT

The International Day against Homophobia, Bi-, Inter- and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) has been celebrated annually on May 17 since 2005 to highlight discrimination against the LGBT*IQ community, to raise awareness of existing inequality structures and to take a united stand for diversity and tolerance. May 17 marks the day in 1990 when the WHO removed homosexuality from the diagnostic code for diseases. For this year’s IDAHOBIT, we are calling on all LGBTIQ employees, regardless of their company, to post a portrait photo on their social media channels with the hashtag #QueerAtWork.

How can i participate in the Campaign?
  • Inform and approach LGBT*IQ people from your own network and beyond to make them aware of the campaign
  • Create a portrait photo using the templates, whether printed out or digitally using a tablet. (Be sure to clarify in advance whether you may use the employer’s company logo along with the template. Instead, you can use the company name or use the template without company information.)
  • Send us your photo and signed consent form to use your photo as part of the campaign until May 13.
  • Post your own campaign photo along with the statement on May 17 2021, 9:00 am (CEST) with the respective hashtags and taggings on whatever social media channels you use

All the information, including the statement and template for the action, as well as the consent form, can be found summarized here as a download.

Hashtags

#IDAHOBIT2021
#QueerAtWork
#ProutAtWork
#FlaggeFürVielfalt
#LGBT
#[Diversity-Hashtag of your company]
#[Diversity-Hashtag of your corporate network]

Taggings

PROUT AT WORK
Facebook: @PrOut@Work
Instagram: @proutatwork
LinkedIn: @PROUT AT WORK-Foundation
Twitter: @proutatwork

If applicable, own company

Position yourself and your company as a supporter of the campaign and call on employees and executives to participate. Use the campaign to effectively advocate against LGBT*IQ discrimination internally and externally. The campaign is based on an idea by Magenta Pride, Deutsche Telekom’s LGBT*IQ employee network, and is supported by it.

We look forward to a successful campaign!

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences recently published a study on the situation of lesbian women in the workplace under the direction of Professor Dr. Regine Graml and with the collaboration of Prof. Dr. Tobias Hagen and Prof. Dr. Yvonne Ziegler. It discusses the intersection of homophobia and sexism and sheds light on the situation of working lesbian women in Germany in the application process and in working life.

The results of the study as well as recommendations for action for companies to eliminate discrimination were compiled in the brochure published by the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, the Bundesstiftung Magnus Hirschfeld, Wirtschaftsweiber e.V. and the PROUT AT WORK-Foundation.

You can now download thee study as a PDF and also order a printed copy. Both versions are only available in German.

A talk with… Matthias Weber

“For me, visibility is one of the most effective instruments for creating acceptance.”

What does the visibility of LGBT*IQ have to do with leadership?

 

Matthias Weber: Modern management methods are based on the goal of fair treatment, appreciation and development of all employees. The fact that we are still a long way from achieving such an inclusive and diversity-oriented working and management environment is shown not only by actually measurable quotas of women, but also by the results of representative studies: LGBT*IQs too often feel discriminated against and therefore largely prefer not to come out at the workplace. And here we are on the subject of visibility: for me, visibility is one of the most effective instruments for creating acceptance. Here leadership has a relevant meaning: starting at the top of the company, as “tone from the top” and then through all management levels, the company’s claim that all employees are equally valuable, measured according to their performance and promoted according to their potential must be made clear.

 

You advocate a holistic Diversity Management instead of a deficit-oriented approach at antidiscrimination – what are the most important differences between these approaches?

 

Matthias Weber: Deficit-oriented anti-discrimination approaches are mostly aimed at individual measures. Nevertheless, the legislator aims to prohibit discrimination here. This is a statement and important as a political signal, just as it is necessary as a legal basis for those affected. But from my point of view, it is important to work to ensure that discrimination does not arise – and that is because people’s attitudes towards each other are respectful and mutually accepting. This is where holistic diversity management can offer effective strategies in both public and private companies.

In Germany, a large part of LGBT*IQ-community still decides not to come out at the workplace. What is the difference to other countries – what is done better there? What can we learn from that?

 

Matthias Weber: According to my opinion, this is essentially a question of culture, society and personal self-conception. In France, around 60 per cent have their coming out at the workplace, despite the fact that the fear of being disadvantaged in working life is greater. The deeply rooted urge for freedom and self-determination, no matter what the cost, is more pronounced in our neighbours than in Germany, and there are countless examples of this on both sides. Our state structure as a non-secular state also plays a not inconsiderable role in this context. All we can do is intensify our work, and the everlasting key is visibility at all levels – no matter what the cost.

A talk with… Matthias Weber

“For me, visibility is one of the most effective instruments for creating acceptance.”

What does the visibility of LGBT*IQ have to do with leadership?

 

Matthias Weber: Modern management methods are based on the goal of fair treatment, appreciation and development of all employees. The fact that we are still a long way from achieving such an inclusive and diversity-oriented working and management environment is shown not only by actually measurable quotas of women, but also by the results of representative studies: LGBT*IQs too often feel discriminated against and therefore largely prefer not to come out at the workplace. And here we are on the subject of visibility: for me, visibility is one of the most effective instruments for creating acceptance. Here leadership has a relevant meaning: starting at the top of the company, as “tone from the top” and then through all management levels, the company’s claim that all employees are equally valuable, measured according to their performance and promoted according to their potential must be made clear.

 

You advocate a holistic Diversity Management instead of a deficit-oriented approach at antidiscrimination – what are the most important differences between these approaches?

 

Matthias Weber: Deficit-oriented anti-discrimination approaches are mostly aimed at individual measures. Nevertheless, the legislator aims to prohibit discrimination here. This is a statement and important as a political signal, just as it is necessary as a legal basis for those affected. But from my point of view, it is important to work to ensure that discrimination does not arise – and that is because people’s attitudes towards each other are respectful and mutually accepting. This is where holistic diversity management can offer effective strategies in both public and private companies.

In Germany, a large part of LGBT*IQ-community still decides not to come out at the workplace. What is the difference to other countries – what is done better there? What can we learn from that?

 

Matthias Weber: According to my opinion, this is essentially a question of culture, society and personal self-conception. In France, around 60 per cent have their coming out at the workplace, despite the fact that the fear of being disadvantaged in working life is greater. The deeply rooted urge for freedom and self-determination, no matter what the cost, is more pronounced in our neighbours than in Germany, and there are countless examples of this on both sides. Our state structure as a non-secular state also plays a not inconsiderable role in this context. All we can do is intensify our work, and the everlasting key is visibility at all levels – no matter what the cost.