Dentons Partner and Global Board member, Rodrigo Vella recently became Dentons Global Board LGBT+ Sponsor. To celebrate Dentons Global Pride Day, he talks about being an Ally and the Importance of LGBT+ inclusion.

Why is LGBT+ inclusion important in business?

First and foremost because it's the right thing for our colleagues, both LGBT+ and non LGBT+. It's really important that LGBT+ colleagues feel able to be themselves.  I can talk openly about my wife and family without thinking twice – and so should our LGBT+ colleagues be able, if they wish, to talk about their loved ones, or their gender identity, without fear of being judged or discriminated against and without having to hide parts of who they are or be guarded about how much they reveal.

Creating an environment which is LGBT+ inclusive and accepting is good for everyone. It makes for a happier and friendlier environment which helps us to attract and retain the best talent. It also makes for a more productive workplace and contributes to greater innovation which is good for business. 

What can businesses do to encourage LGBT+ inclusion?

It's the responsibility of the business to create the right environment. We do not expect LGBT+ colleagues to do the heavy lifting for us, but we do count on their support to make us aware of the issues we need to address and to advise and guide us along the way. In addition to having appropriately inclusive policies and procedures, we in leadership have to be vocal in our support for LGBT+ colleagues, and encourage LGBT+ visibility and awareness.

Our annual Dentons Global Pride days (today's is our fifth) have enabled us to demonstrate our inclusivity as a Firm. Using a common theme, offices in locations around the world put on events, hold gatherings and contribute to our shared effort to raise awareness and show solidarity. It’s often the office gatherings which make the most impact, creating a sense of community and support because what matters to the individual is their everyday experience, their personal interactions, and how they are treated and regarded by their colleagues.

What other things can be done to support inclusion?

Affinity groups are vital. Our global affinity group, GLOW, plays a major role in awareness-raising and creating a sense of community. Having LGBT+ role models is also important, as is support from our senior global management with all-colleague communications.

Our annual Global Pride videos have also been instrumental in increasing awareness. Created for and by our colleagues, past videos have included LGBT+ colleagues explaining what it means to be able to be 'out' in the office - a poignant and very personal way of bringing a simple message to non LGBT+ colleagues. This year, we have asked clients to speak to us about why LGBT+ inclusion matters to them.

What about the wider LGBT+ community?

Business can also help shift the needle in the wider LGBT+ community. In a law firm that is often done through pro bono initiatives where law firms can apply their legal expertise to advance LGBT+ rights. My own colleagues have, for example, set up a trans legal advice centre in Australia, supported cases on equal marriage in a number of countries, helped those affected by the anti-LGBT+ climate in Poland, supported LGBT+ people in Ukraine, and are involved in a challenge to the provision in the Mauritius Constitution which criminalises same sex activity.

Do you have any advice on being an LGBT+ Ally?

Listen to your LGBT+ colleagues – and learn about their experiences. Many colleagues have expressed concern about attempts to roll back hard-fought rights in some countries, for example banning discussion of LGBT+ people in schools; the treatment of trans and non-binary people; the failure to ban effectively LGBT+ conversion therapy; and attempts to re-frame being LGBT+ as an ideology rather than being about real people. If we take the time to understand these concerns we can help make the world a better place.

Listening and doing our best to understand and empathize are simple things we can all do.

So what about the future?

The firm has been recognised in numerous LGBT+ workplace surveys in different locations and we're proud to be one of only 17 organisations to be listed in the most recent Stonewall Global Workplace Index.

We know that we have more to do and we are present in locations where LGBT+ inclusion is less accepted. We are encouraging greater awareness around bi, trans and non-binary colleagues. Accepting we need to do more should not stop us from celebrating what has been achieved and recognising the importance of LGBT+ inclusion to us and to our business.