“We’re always talking from the point of view of members of the LGBTI community and about whether they feel safer and more comfortable. But it’s also important that, as non-LGBTI people, we should be able to work in a place where we genuinely want to be and feel proud to say ‘this is where I work’.”

Is diversity a reality at work? How does real diversity affect LGBTI and non-LGBTI individuals?

Legislation often struggles to keep pace with social change, yet for the LGBTI community it has been the law that has led the way, helping society open up to an often hidden reality. But, although Spanish society is becoming increasingly plural and diverse, LGBTI individuals still feel uncomfortable being visible at work. Hearing others gossip about someone’s sexual orientation or use non-inclusive or even derogatory language can lead LGBTI individuals to opt for discretion as a way to protect themselves from the risk of professional and personal setbacks.

Promoting visibility and fostering diversity do not just benefit the LGBTI community, they also encourage respectful attitudes that improve the workplace and celebrate talent in general. That’s why it’s essential not only to implement policies that ensure equality throughout people’s professional lives and to create safe, inclusive workplaces, but also to provide specific training for everyone, from staff to senior management.

And public institutions play a key role in diversity and non-discrimination, as we pave the way for other sectors. Although recruitment processes and working conditions in the public sector promote equality and safety, in reality LGBTI figures in senior executive roles are still needed, across both the public and private sectors.

For this episode, we invite you to join David Suárez, Patricia Martínez, David Márquez and Javier Almarcha as they talk about diversity in the workplace and the importance of having a safe and inclusive environment that enables everyone, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, to be themselves without fear of discrimination. All the participants in this podcast episode are members of the Banco de España’s Rainbow Network, a group of employees who voluntarily work to promote visibility and sensitivity regarding LGTBI issues. You can contact the Rainbow Network by writing to this contact form