Curtin University has been awarded “Highest Ranking University” and ranked seventh in the top ten employers for LGBTI Workplace Inclusion at the national Australian Workplace Equality Awards organised by Pride In Diversity (PID).
PID is Australia’s first and only not-for-profit workplace program to assist Australian employers with the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees.
Professor Jeanette Hacket, Curtin Vice-Chancellor said, Curtin respects and values the diversity of its students, staff and university community and is committed to creating an environment free from discrimination and harassment.
“We are concerned to ensure inclusivity for people of diverse sexuality and gender identity. It is important to ensure that all students, staff, and members of the community, irrespective of gender identity or sexuality, feel welcome at Curtin and receive fair and just treatment”, Professor Hacket said.
“Curtin is very proud that the Curtin Ally Program, launched in 2006, was a runner up for the best LGBTI Employee Network of the Year and that Sheldon Smith, one of our Student Equity Advisors, was a runner up in the LGBTI Diversity Champion Award.”
The Curtin Ally Program was created to help staff, students and community members of diverse sexual and gender identity feel welcome and supported in working and studying at Curtin.
The Curtin University Diverse Sexuality and Gender Identity Inclusion Strategy is aligned with best practice recognised by PID. It focuses on enhancing Curtin’s inclusiveness of staff, students, and community who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex.
The PID Award’s announcement coincided with International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, (IDAHO).
IDAHO was created in 2004, to draw attention of policy makers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the issue of homophobia and transphobia which denies millions of people across the world their basic human dignity.
“These accolades show how Curtin has made, and continues to make, significant progress in creating and promoting inclusion and preventing discrimination and bias in relation to sexuality and gender identity. Curtin congratulates everyone nominated and awarded through the AWEI process for their efforts in promoting LGBTI inclusion,” Professor Hacket said.
