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LGBT History Month concludes with 'out at work' public event

11/03/2016
The Department of Mental Health, Social Work and Integrative Medicine finished a thought-provoking programme of LGBT History Month activities with a presentation at the Santander head office on being "out at work".

Middlesex LGBT presentation at Santander
Sarah Lewis-Brooke
, Dr Sarah Carr and Alfonso Pezzella were actively involved in organising the successful LGBT History Month jointly with the LGBT Staff Forum throughout February.

Santander Head Office were particularly interested in the topic of coming out at work and its impact on mental health, and invited the three colleagues to do a joint presentation on the topic.

The talk opened with Sarah Lewis-Brooke discussing how LGBT rights have changed over the years in the UK and worldwide and how some countries still have a long way to catch up. The presentation continued with Dr Sarah Carr talking about the shift from where homosexuality was considered a mental illness to when it was finally removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Alfonso Pezzella brought the evening to a close by reporting on his research looking at coming out in the workplace and its impact on mental health which concludes that, despite the many years of campaigning and achievements of LGBT rights, there remains a great deal of stigma and discrimination against the LGBT community.

The event was attended by staff members from both Santander and Middlesex University, and continues the University’s close relationship and knowledge exchange with Santander.

“We are very pleased with the event and our collaboration with Middlesex University,” said Darren Kerrison, National Co-Chair, Santander LGB&T Embrace Network.

Initiator of the event David Williams, Director for Corporate Engagement said: “The event was a great success and 70 people attended from both Santander and Middlesex University. There were also representatives from Aviva Pride network and students Pride. Santander staff thoroughly enjoyed the evening and were impressed with the topic and arguments raised.

“Santander are a strategic partner of Middlesex University and we work together on enhancing the student experience through scholarships and placements.”

To join the Middlesex Staff LGBT Forum or for more details visit their Facebook page or contact Corporate Engagement.

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