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Breaking the silence on IDAHOBIT

46 days ago

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The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) takes place on 17 May each year, marking the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation (WHO) removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases, serving as a powerful time in history for the LGBT+ community.

Sodexo recognises IDAHOBIT each year as an opportunity to raise the bar and demonstrate our support for an inclusive workplace. As the international day of celebration falls on a weekend this year, Sodexo will host a day of activity on Wednesday 20 May.

The theme of IDAHOBIT this year is breaking the silence, using the day to promote visibility and awareness of LGBT+ issues in order to ensure our colleagues can being their whole-selves to work, free from fear of discrimination.

IDAHOBIT is recognised by wearing purple to show solidarity, and while the current climate may pose some difficulty in this respect, it also gives us the opportunity to be creative, so if you are able to wear purple on Wednesday 20 May, wherever you are, we’d love to see you. Please share your photos with us on social media, tagging #SodexoPride and, if you’re on Twitter, @SodexoPrideUKI.

Also taking place on Wednesday is a global Sodexo webinar, taking place at 3:00pm British Summer Time. The webinar will feature colleagues from all over the world, including our own UK&I Region Chair, Sean Haley, Sodexo Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Margot Slattery, and co-chair of the Pride UK&I network, Nia Bezuidenhout.

The panel will share personal stories, address the importance of bringing their whole-self to work and how crucial it is to get visible allies to build a safe, secure and inclusive workplace. The webinar will be broadcast live and if you wish to join, register here.

However you choose to recognise the day, IDAHOBIT is there to include colleagues with pride. Remember, at Sodexo, you are included, loved, and valued. To further show your solidarity, you can join the Pride UK&I employee network here.

#SodexoPride

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