LGBTQIA+

Recruitment

• Try to avoid making assumptions about other people’s sexual orientation or gender identity. A good habit is not to use gendered words when they aren’t needed. For example, asking a man if he has a girlfriend or wife might assume that he is straight. “Do you have a partner?” is a great alternative. 

•  If you’re not sure what pronouns someone uses, it’s fine to ask! “Which pronouns do you use?” is perfectly acceptable. Another good way is to make it part of introducing yourself: “Hi I’m Mary, and I use she/her pronouns. What are your name and pronouns?” Asking someone which pronouns they’d like you to use has the added benefit of letting them know you’re supportive of trans and non-binary identities, and it can help put them at ease.

• Check that any data collection forms and other documents you give to volunteers aren’t exclusive of LGBTQIA+ identities. For example, does your equal opportunities monitoring form allow for gender identities other than male and female?

• When developing or reviewing policies for your organisation, consider their relevance in relation to LGBTQIA+ identities and make specific reference where necessary.

Scenario

Title: LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Background: The volunteer, during the course of the volunteering role changed their name and pronouns.

Volunteer Role: Collections Management Volunteer

Volunteer Recruitment: Volunteer undertook object handling training and brief safety training

Support Provided to the Volunteer: The volunteer had been working on site for a short period of time when they spoke to the Volunteer Manager about changing their name and pronouns. This was stressful for the volunteer as very few people knew anything about this. The Volunteer Manager reassured the volunteer that the other members of the team would be advised of these changes : that everyone with whom they worked would know how they were to be addressed and gave assurances that the volunteering environment remained a safe space.

Impact: The volunteer remained in post for 2 years until they moved and were very grateful for the support they experienced at a sensitive time in their lives. During the course of this role, they became more comfortable within their own identity and able to tell more people what they were going through. The volunteer was able to move away more confident in their own identity and at ease with themselves.