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The University of Western Australia has been ranked in the top five employers for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) inclusion by the Australian Workplace Equality Index.

UWA was equal fourth in the awards, alongside the Macquarie Bank and was the only WA-based organisation to make the top 20. The Westpac Group came first.

The Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) is Australia’s national benchmark for all aspects of LGBTI workplace inclusion from which the Top 20 employers for LGBTI inclusion is determined.

UWA is the only university to have been included in the annual top 10 list every year since the inception of the awards six years ago.

The University has implemented strong and sustained leadership in equity and diversity for more than a decade, with achievements including:

• The ground-breaking ALLY Network which aims to promote greater visibility and awareness of LGBTI staff and students and their issues. Since its adoption at UWA in 2002, more than 250 staff and students have been publicly identified as ALLYs. The ALLY initiative has now been emulated across 22 universities in Australasia

• A new transgender policy to protect the rights of transgender staff and students

• LGBTI consciousness-raising across the UWA community through both the curriculum and staff development

UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community and Engagement) Professor Kent Anderson said a number of hard-working staff at the University had helped break the silence around sexuality and gender diversity, heightening awareness and transforming the culture of the University.

“People should be able to go to work without hiding who they are,” Professor Anderson said.

“We are doing our best to spread the word, with UWA supporting more than 20 institutions across the Asia-Pacific region around LGBTI-inclusion.

“Our highest score ever reflects the passion of our Senior Diversity Officer Malcolm Fialho’s tireless work and dedication and the support of the LGBTI network and Allies.”

Media references

David Stacey (UWA Media Manager)                                          (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716