Certified Proud
Organization Details
Certified Proud is a membership and accreditation body for organisations which are LGBTQ+ inclusive. We work with our members to ensure they are truly inclusive for LGBTQ+ staff, customers and other stakeholders. We work to embed the Certified Proud Principles into each company in our network: Respect, Equality, Inclusivity, Commitment, Advocacy, Safety and Visibility. We provide consultancy, training, reviews and best practice on LGBTQ+ inclusion. We also conduct an annual audit of each member company to ensure they are inclusive in nature, and not just on paper. 40% of all membership fees are donated to The Certified Proud Fund, which provides financial support to LGBTQ+ charities and non-profit organisations.
Impact Story
Studies have shown that one in six "Gen Z-ers" identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. However, reports of violence against the LGBTQ+ community has trebled over the past six years. 41% of LGBTQ+ people do not come out of the closet at work for fear of bullying or dismissal. This leads to serious mental health problems. The need for true allyship and safe spaces has never been more urgent. LGBTQ+ people deserve to be treated with safety and respect wherever they work, live or do business.
When a member of the LGBTQ+ community sees that a company is a member of the Certified Proud network, they will know that it is an inclusive space to shop and work in. They will be treated with respect, safe in the knowledge that the company is constantly working towards LGBTQ+ inclusion. There are currently 18 companies in the Certified Proud network. Each of these companies' staff have received inclusivity training, their policies have gone through a LGBTQ+ inclusivity audit and they activiely promote LGBTQ+ inclusion. We believe this work will create a better, safer world for the LGBTQ+ community.
