Compass points the way
A COMPASS is pretty useful if you want to make progress.
So the introduction of a new Compass to the Naval Service almost a year ago was a significant event. And this compass not only acknowledges all directions, but it also helped put the Royal Navy’s stance on equality firmly on the map. The Compass in question is the Naval Service’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Network, represented by a rainbow compass rose. And while huge strides have ben made since openly gay personnel have been allowed to serve in the UK Armed Forces in 2000, there is still more to do. For a start, the original gay/ lesbian label has steadily evolved (and currently extends, in some quarters, to LGBTIQ – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning). But perhaps more relevant is the fact that a group such as Compass is there to increase awareness and understanding of the issues for everybody – including those who would consider themselves ‘straight’. Such an approach makes perfect sense – the Naval Service can only attract and retain the best people by drawing from as wide a pool of talent as possible, and then ensuring they are confident enough to be themselves at work. And Compass – previously the Naval Service LGBT Network – has a crucial role to play in this initiative. It represents the views of serving members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Maritime Reserves to senior management, bringing experience and expertise to bear on the formation of new policy as well as providing feedback on its effects. And it also acts as a channel by which the general public are made aware of the Naval Service as a ‘diversity champion’. Their efforts were richly rewarded earlier in the year when influential LGBT rights charity Stonewall put the Royal Navy at tenth place (out of 400 leading employers) in their 2016 Workplace Equality Index – the highest placing for any Defence. organisation. On winning the accolade, former Chair of Compass Cdr Douggie Ward said: “This is a fantastic result for the Naval Service as a whole and reflects the hard work and commitment of not only the Serving LGBT personnel who volunteer their free time to support the Compass network, but also the Diversity and Inclusion Policy Desk at Navy Command Headquarters, and the wider Naval Service as a whole. “This excellent result sends a strong signal to both serving personnel and people who are considering a career in the Royal Navy that the Service is committed to equality, inclusion www.navynews.co.uk
and diversity.” The Naval Service has actively sought out advice and guidance from leaders in the field for more than a decade. It has been a Stonewall Diversity Champion since 2005 (the RAF and Army followed suit in 2007 and 2008 respectively), and has managed six top-100 slots in the Workplace Index in the past ten years. Naval personnel, from junior rates to senior admirals, are regular attendees at the Stonewall Workplace Conference, where they can talk to leading lights from other sectors. This year’s event was attended by Naval Secretary Rear Admiral Simon Williams. who said: “The strong RN attendance at the annual Stonewall Workplace Conference underlines our commitment to ensuring respect and inclusivity for all our people, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. “I am once again delighted to personally support this event and pay tribute to everyone across the Naval Service for creating a truly inclusive place top work. “This is, of course, reflected in the Service recently being placed tenth in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index of the top 100 employers in the UK, which is a fantastic achievement and one which we should all be proud of.” Also at the event was LMA Jennifer Murch, who said: “I feel so overwhelmed after such a successful day for me personally and for the LGBT community in
l Rear Admiral Nick Hine, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy), meets Naval Service personnel at the Pride in London event
l Maj Mike Cooper RM (left) and Lt Col Mike Scanlon RM support the Compass 360 event on Whale Island, encouraged by Cdre Mike Bath the Royal Navy. “I feel privileged to have been at the Stonewall Workplace Conference in Westminster today and I have met some inspirational role models and leaders.” Capt Henry Duffy, Commanding Officer at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, attended the Stonewall Awards evening as senior Naval Service representative, and said he found it a “very enlightening evening”, with some impressive speakers. There was also an unofficial inter-Service competition as to who could attract most charity cash for their auction prize – and the Senior Service’s ‘day with the Navy’ won hands down with a bid of £3,500. Compass members, allies and senior officers have spoken at almost 40 external LGBT+ events, and this year (to date) there has been support for eight Pride events – Student Pride, Black Pride (top left), London (top right, and see page 20),Washington, Glasgow, Portsmouth, Liverpool and Cymru. Compass does not claim to have all the answers for those seeking help or guidance, but it has access to a wide range of specialist groups or services that can assist (see below right). Members of Compass also act as role models for colleagues, and help spread the word about the organisation and its purpose. One example saw the Compass
360 Challenge at Whale Island in Portsmouth, when colleagues were invited to run, row and cycle 360 miles, representing the 360 degrees of a compass rose. Split across three sites – Leach Building, West Battery and the HMS Excellent gym – such was the support that by the end of the day volunteers had more than doubled the original target, raising more than £1,000 for charity. Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock, who launched the event, said: “This is a great event for a very important cause; not only to raise money for charity but also increase awareness of sexual orientation and gender identity in the Naval Service. “I am very proud that the RN was recently placed tenth in Stonewall’s top 100 employers, and it is so important to me that we build on this success and maintain a positive and supportive work environment where our people can be themselves.” Event organiser Lt Lindsey Gascoigne is perhaps better placed than most to talk of the influence Compass has. Lt Gascoigne came out a couple of years ago, and said the support she received was vital. “I spent the first 12 years of my career firmly locked in the closet and felt very anxious about being open about my sexual
orientation,” said Lt Gascoigne. “Hiding my identity limited my professional performance as I spent a large portion of my working day worried about not being accepted. “In 2014 I commissioned as a Logistics Officer and saw this as a fresh start and chance to be true to myself. “I was very nervous about my decision, but through the Compass Network I heard about the Stonewall Role Models course, which is designed to help individuals understand the importance of being an Authentic Leader and visible as LGBT within the workplace. “As a direct result of applying this advice and becoming visible as a member of the LGBT community, I was asked to be the co-vice chair of the Compass Network, an opportunity I undertook without hesitation. “In my role as co-vice chair I help raise awareness for sexual orientation and gender identity within the Royal Navy and external organisations. “My work life has changed dramatically since receiving support from the Compass Network – I am now comfortable talking about my life, and being able to pay that support forward to help others is a real privilege. “Since ‘coming out’ I have received enormous encouragement from my Chain of Command, and it meant a great deal to have my boss [Lt Cdr Matt Price] accompany me to this year’s Pride in Defence Conference in London. “The support he has shown me as a Divisional Officer has given me the confidence to be open – and more importantly, to be happy at work.” Lt Cdr Price as taken advantage of the support from Compass and reverse-mentoring to improve his performance as a Divisional Officer. “I had the great pleasure to attend the Pride in Defence Conference as a guest of a
member of my division,” said Lt Cdr Price. “It was a day full of valuable insights, and provided me with a renewed vigour in ensuring that my current and future work environment is free from any form of discrimination and that I can offer support to superiors and subordinates alike facing difficult personal challenges. “I take great pride in seeing the RN place tenth in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and will do my utmost to ensure that the RN continues to demonstrate its commitment to embracing diversity.” There has been peer recognition for the work done by Compass – Network co-chairs Lt Cdrs Chris Wood and Sam Truelove were both in the annual Times Top 50 Out Executives list, Lt Cdr Wood was listed on the annual Pride top 100 LGBT people in the UK, and Compass has been nominated for a National Diversity Award. Compass is keen to mentor key members of the Naval Service – such as divisional officers – in issues of sexual orientation and gender identity in order to better understand their colleagues, and to ensure that each individual gives the best that they have to their work. By way of example, Compass members have received 24 requests for support from individuals, line managers, chain of command and families on sexual orientation/gender identity issues in 2016. By being better informed, it is hoped that the Compass membership of 250, including allies, can be expanded.
For further information and links to other organisations, see: www.stonewall.org.uk/ http://armylgbt.org.uk/ www.alternativeparenting.co.uk/ www.facebook.com/RNCompass
10 – position in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2016 24 – requests for support on sexual orientation/gender issues 300 – followers on Twitter (@RNCompass) Also on Facebook! 250 – network members, including allies, across the Naval Service 8 – Pride events supported in 2016 1,000,000+ – people who saw the Naval Service at Pride in London
JPA reminder ALL personnel are required as part of annual JPA checks on OBIEE Dashboard to provide a response regarding SO (sexual orientation). This enables the Naval Service to better understand the composition of the workforce and to identify and change issues that affect our people. Please note that can choose the ‘Do not wish to Declare’ option. Confidentiality of this data is of paramount importance; therefore not even JPA super-users in UPOs/Ship’s Offices are able to see the SO of individuals, and numbers are used for statistical reasons only. AUGUST 2016 : 13