CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council is proud to announce its role as a Stonewall Cymru Diversity Champion, promoting inclusion and equality for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) staff and the community.

A previous top 20 employer on Stonewall Cymru’s Workplace Equality Index, the council has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting LGBT employees by joining the Champions scheme, with a view to renewing its place on the Index.

Cllr Cefin Campbell, the council’s Equalities Champion, said: “Everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, deserves to be treated equally, and as a major employer we are proud to reaffirm our commitment and support to our LGBT colleagues, especially during LGBT History Month.

“We are delighted to work with Stonewall Cymru to ensure our workplace is truly inclusive. As a Diversity Champion we benefit from being part of a large network of employers, with expert guidance and support to ensure our strategies and policies truly work for our employees and citizens.”

Cllr Mair Stephens, Executive Board Member with responsibility for human resources, added: “We are fully committed to equality of opportunity and actively promote diversity to create an environment in which all staff feel equally welcomed and valued.”

Stonewall is Europe's largest lesbian, gay, bi and trans charity. The Diversity Champions programme is the leading employers' programme for ensuring all LGBT staff are accepted without exception in the workplace.

Stonewall Cymru’s Director, Andrew White, said: “We are excited to see Carmarthenshire County Council re-join the Diversity Champions programme. The aim of the programme is to help organisations progress their LGBT inclusion work through tailored support and best practice sharing. Over the next twelve months and beyond we will be working together to look at all aspects of the organisation from recruitment and training to community engagement, all with the aim of ensuring that LGBT equality is embedded in to all aspects of the council’s work.”

For further information, visit: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/diversity-champions-programme