News - Military news

The inaugural European Diversity Awards was held in London on 22nd September.  The event  served to highlight some of Europe's highest achievers in the field of equality, diversity and inclusion.  Sponsored by Google, organised by Square Peg Media and hosted by the BBC's Jane Hill, the awards were attended by a host of well-known faces including Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone MP, Ben Bradshaw MP and Michael Cashman MEP.

Over 350 people came together to recognise and celebrate the efforts of individuals, organisations and employers who have helped make vast improvements to lives of the diverse communities of people across Europe. From grass roots campaigners to large corporations the awards highlighted the exceptional achievements made in this area.  Over 250 nominations were received for the awards and the judging panel were greatly impressed by the very high standard of work being put forward.   The Tri Service Proud2Serve nomination was awarded the Outstanding Employee Network Group of the year award.

Proud2Serve.net is an employee networking website that enables serving LGBT Military personnel to connect with like minded people, wherever they are based throughout the world.  In 2005, five years after the European Court of Human Rights ruling which resulted in the ban on LGB military being lifted, the website was established on a voluntary unfunded basis. For its initial membership it was an informal communication route outside the Military. The confidentiality that this afforded was, and remains critically important to many serving personnel. The website has matured in membership, usage and provides vital, relevant support to users and is now endorsed and funded by all three Services. Users can contact other serving personnel, seek advice and be guided to the Service LGBT Forums or the Service Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Teams.  P2S is an outstanding employee network that now reaches out to 1500 registered users in over 22 countries.

The event was attended by 10 Navy, Army and RAF personnel from both the LGBT Forums and the Policy areas.  Commodore Paul Bennett OBE, Director Naval Service Personnel Strategy said that he was delighted by the way in which P2S had matured and that it now provides vital support for both serving LGBT personnel and their line managers. 
Also shortlisted in the European Diversity Champion of the Year category was Lieutenant Commander Mandy McBain.  Although not a winner, she was thrilled that her contribution to equality, diversity and inclusion in the Naval Service had been recognised by her nomination and subsequent short listing.