MYSTORY With …

Jannette
38 Years, Hamburg

“It is important to speak up and be a role model to young
people. I would love the next generation to be even more
progressive when it comes to diversity and inclusion. …”

Published: May 2022

Role Models

I grew up in a very Catholic Filipino family. Being a lesbian was not an option for us – on the contrary, my parents considered it a “punishment from God”.

On my way to coming out, there were a few role models in my life, starting with this one girl in high school during my exchange year in New Jersey. She played on my basketball team, was openly lesbian … and didn’t make a big deal about it. I always admired her strength and courage. She was an inspiration to me.

My older brother is gay, and I came out a few years after him. After my brother came out, my parents moved from Germany to California. I was 17 at the time, preparing for my final exams, had my circle of friends here, and decided to stay in Bonn.

Six years later, I told my father that I was in a very happy relationship with a woman. His response was: “This is God’s way of punishing me.” I was very disappointed with his reaction.

It took about 10 years for my parents to accept that my brother and I were homosexual.

When I got married, my parents didn’t come. Only when we had our two daughters my parents resumed contact. A few years later, my then wife Mareike and I decided to separate but continue to be good parents. Living with my new wife and explaining this to my parents felt to them like my second coming out, which destroyed their ideal world. Fortunately, this time it didn’t take 10 years for them to accept my decision.

Today, my parents get along very well with my brother’s and my partners. My wife Mina, the children and I live in Hamburg and have close contact with my ex-wife. I think it’s great to see what kind of development my traditional parents have made in the last few years.

Many people have helped me on my way to coming out. For example, my ex-wife Mareike, who taught me to be self-confident. She encouraged me to speak my mind and fight for things I believe in. My wife Mina, who encourages me to do all the things I truly believe in and loves me for who I am. My children who inspire me every day. It is important to speak your mind and be a role model for young people. I want the next generation to be even more progressive when it comes to diversity and inclusion.

My company allows me to be who I am. That influences my work. I couldn’t work for a company that forces me to hide who I am. Authenticity is the key.

Dear Jannette, Thank you very much for YourStory!
MYSTORY With …

Manuela
62 Years, Bonn

“When I saw a documentary about a trans* woman on television
for the first time in the 90s, I was gripped by defensiveness,
fascination and insatiable longing in equal measure. …”

Published: May 2022

MY LATE COMING OUT AS A TRANS* WOMAN…

At the age of 5, I noticed for the first time that “something was wrong” with me, when I was filled with a bright feeling of joy at being mistaken for a girl – at the same time I was confused and ashamed about it. Never would I have wanted to talk about it to anyone, just as I would never have wanted to talk about how beautiful I thought it was to secretly wear my mother’s wedding dress in the attic. Other hidden feminine preferences developed, at the same time combined with a strong aversion to male-typical behavior. I steadfastly refused to wear suits or ties or to undress in front of other boys in the locker room during sports. On the other hand, I wanted to be accepted and not ridiculed.

So I deliberately took up masculine hobbies and did everything else to hide my developing feminine inner self from others.

Girls always fascinated me – I admired them, wanted to be like them and fell in love with them. I found the love of my life at 19, to whom I am still married and have 3 wonderful children. Unfortunately, my attempt to tell about my inner feelings was brusquely dismissed by my then girlfriend and so I remained alone with my hidden feelings and the female parallel world that was building up inside me for decades.

When I saw a documentary about a trans* woman on television for the first time in the 90s, I was gripped by defensiveness, fascination and insatiable longing in equal measure. It was clear to me that a mirror was being held up to me. On the other hand, I felt inner resistance, because I saw the consequences and dangers if I gave in to my desires. So I imposed a ban on gathering information on myself, which I kept up for more than 20 years, until the topic of transgender became so present in the media that I gave in and began an Internet search, which confirmed my suspected self-diagnosis of “transident” after a very short time.

After that my thoughts circled only around my transsexuality and I understood that there was no way around my coming out. Starting with my wife and my children, I opened up to friends and a few good colleagues and was very surprised about the largely positive reactions and support offered, as the stories on the Internet were mostly characterized by personal disasters. This also applied to the professional life, where I was not aware of a single comparable case at my employer RWE, which caused me particular anxiety. So I firmly expected to lose my professional and human reputation as well as to be ostracized and ridiculed in this male-dominated, at that time (as I thought at least) quite conservative company.

But things turned out quite differently. First of all, I ran into an open door in the Diversity department when I asked them for support for my plans to make the transition to becoming a woman at work. Finally, someone at RWE was openly admitting to being transgender by name and face, I was told, and together we worked out a plan for coming out at work, for which I gained support all the way up to the Executive Board. After personally informing a few colleagues and superiors in advance, with whom I had a special relationship, our board of directors sent an e-mail to its managers during my vacation, who in turn distributed it to their employees.

To my delight, I received warm and supportive messages while still on vacation, so that my worries about the reactions of my colleagues melted away like snow in the sun! Numerous other outing conversations followed with people who were personally important to me and with whom I placed particular value on them understanding my story and accompanying me on my journey! However, it should also be mentioned that I lost some friends who did not want to follow my transformation, but in their place I was able to meet wonderful new people.

It was also hard for my closest family, but we stuck together and walked the sometimes rocky road together.

At RWE, we got in touch with another trans* woman, a gay colleague joined us and we founded the LGBTIQ & Friends Network at RWE, which now has 225 members. In addition to warm friendship, we are now united by the goal of making it easier for other members of the LGBTIQ community to come out at work. To this end, we provide assistance and advice and are in close contact with other companies and LGBT*IQ networks in Germany.

Dear Manuela, Thank you very much for YourStory!

This Year’s IDAHOBIT and #MyStory

The International Day against Homophobia, Bi-, Inter- and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) has been celebrated annually on May 17 since 2005 to highlight discrimination against the LGBT*IQ community, to raise awareness of existing inequality structures and to take a united stand for diversity and tolerance. May 17 marks the day in 1990 when the WHO removed homosexuality from the diagnostic code for diseases.

Today and every day of the year, we want to celebrate the colorful diversity of the LGBT*IQ community and have therefore created the format “MyStory”. The format gives a stage to all the individual stories that queer people experience every day, because we believe that everyone has something inspiring to tell. We start today with four moving stories.

IDAHOBIT 2022

Facts

Studies show that workplace discrimination experiences are still part of everyday life for many LGBT*IQ people. The study “Inter in the Office?!” The work situation of inter* people in Germany under a differential perspective to (endo) LGBTQ+ people.”, published in 2020 by Prof. Dr. Dominic Frohn states that 37.7% of (endo) trans and/or non-binary people surveyed, approx. 30% of inter* respondents and approx. 20& of (endo* cis) LGB+ people directly experience workplace discrimination , in the form of e.g. job rejection, transfer or dismissal.

It’s not surprising, then, that according to a Boston Consulting Group survey (2018/19), 22% of respondents see coming out at work as a potential career risk. 42% would lie to their manager about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. More background information and studies on LGBT*IQ (in the workplace).

Support

Discrimination against LGBTIQ people is evident at other levels of society besides the workplace. Deal with these issues and make yourself aware of existing inequality structures. Only by becoming aware of these structures and grievances can you actively contribute to their dismantling. The points mentioned here are only an excerpt and not a complete list of possibilities with which you can start your commitment for LGBTIQ equal opportunities and against homophobia, bi-, inter- and transphobia.

Blood Donation

Discrimination against LGBT*IQ people is evident at other levels of society besides the workplace. Deal with these issues and make yourself aware of existing inequality structures. Only by becoming aware of these structures one can actively contribute to their dismantling. The points mentioned here are only an excerpt and not a complete list of possibilities with which you can start your commitment for LGBT*IQ equal opportunities and against homophobia, bi-, inter*- and trans*phobia.

EU LGBT*IQ Freedom Zone

In 2020, some Polish municipalities and cities declared their region as so-called “LGBT-free zones”. The establishment of entire regions where, according to the signatories, no LGBT*IQ people live is a clear attack on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and inter* people. As a first step, the European Parliament has declared the EU as an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone” to send a clear message against the homophobic rhetoric and sentiment against sexual minorities in Poland. Find out more about the current events in this regard.

Selbstbestimmungsgesetz

The currently valid “Transsexuellengesetz” (TSG) is deeply discriminatory and should be replaced by the self-determination law. “The parliamentary group Bündnis 90/Die Grünen has submitted a bill “for the repeal of the transsexual law and introduction of the self-determination law” (19/19755)”.

A basic Law for all

Demand the addition of Article 3 GG, because LGBT*IQ people are still not protected by Article 3 in the German Basic Law. Many people within the LGBT*IQ community experience discrimination, exclusion and hate violence. We feel that a protection by the Basic Law is indispensable and therefore PROUT AT WORK is one of the first signatories of the appeal “A Basic Law for All”. Sign also now the petition or contact your delegates.

Legal Equality for queer Families

Stand up for the rights of rainbow families. Compared to children of heterosexual couples, the second mother must first adopt her child to provide legal protection – even if the parents are married. For example, support the nodoption campaign, which opposes stepchild adoption among rainbow families and advocates for recognition of parenthood.

MyStory

We collect stories that move, entertain, inspire. Read our first four stories today and look forward to many more!

Counseling

LesMigras

LesMigraS is the anti-discrimination and anti-violence section of lesbian counseling Berlin e.V.”

Gladt e.v.

“GLADT is a self-organization of black and of color lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans, inter and queer people in Berlin, which stands up against racism, sexism, trans* and homophobia, ableism and other forms of discrimination and offers a diverse range of counseling services.”

Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes

“The counseling team with lawyers can inform you about your rights in a case of discrimination or sexual harassment, show you possibilities if and how you can enforce your rights, strive for an amicable conflict resolution and try to name experts close to your home.”

Bundesverband trans*

“The Bundesverband Trans* (BVT) sees itself as an association of individuals, groups, clubs, associations and initiatives at regional, state and national level, whose common endeavor is the commitment to gender diversity and self-determination and the commitment to human rights in terms of respect, recognition, equality, social participation and health of trans or persons not located in the binary gender system.”

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität e.V.

“The dgti has set itself the goal of promoting the acceptance of transidents within society and counteracting their stigmatization. It should advise and support affected and interested persons, if this is desired. An essential aspect of the work should be the (re-)integration of affected persons into the work process, in order to counteract the danger of social decline, which is still associated with social change today. It advocates more openness toward one’s own identity and takes into account the diversity of human existence.”

You did it your way?

Tell us your story!

Regularily, our board member Albert Kehrer invites an inspiring role model of the LGBT*IQ community or an LGBT*IQ Ally for a chat. You can look forward to an interesting exchange about role models and visibility in the LGBT*IQ community.

This event took place in German.

GUEST OF THE DAY

Dr. Gesa Heinrichs
Director – Campus Management & Corporate Procurement, 5th place OUT EXECUTIVES 2019

Dr. Gesa Heinrichs is the epitome of an Out Executive! She has been with OTTO for more than 20 years and is involved in a wide range of activities in addition to her management positions. After studying and earning her doctorate in Munich and Hamburg, Gesa brought versatile knowledge from theater and education sciences to the business world.

In 2000, she began her journey at OTTO, which has since led her to the position of “Director – Campus Management & Corporate Procurement”. At OTTO, she was also a founding member of the “Power of Diversity” initiative, is still involved in the resulting LGBT*IQ network “more” today and always stands for open (corporate) culture.

Campaign: #theLworksout for Lesbian Visibility Day

Lesbian persons and also bisexual women are often not perceived, one speaks of Lesbian Invisibility. To this day, there are few visible lesbian role models – especially in the business context. In many networks lesbian persons are in the minority. As a result, there is a lack of role models for new and younger colleagues. Through the cross-network and cross-sector campaign #theLworksout on April 26, we can empower openly lesbian people and together create visibility through a large number of participants, as well as highlight the diversity of lesbian people.

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE campaign?
  • Inform lesbian people from your own network and beyond to make them aware of the action.
  • Create a portrait photo using the templates, whether printed or digitally with the tablet. You are also welcome to use the template in grayscale, for example. (Make sure to clarify in advance whether you are allowed to use the employer’s company logo together with the template. Instead, you can use the company name or use the template without the company name).
  • Post your own campaign photo on 26.04. 2022 from 10:00 am with the respective hashtags and taggings on the social media channels you use
Hashtags

#theLworksout
#LesbianVisibilityDay
#LesbianVisibility
#LesbischeSichtbarkeit
#LGBTIQBusinessLadies
#ProutAtWork
#LGBTIQRoleModels
#FlaggeFürVielfalt

Taggings

PROUT AT WORK
Facebook: @PrOut@Work
Instagram: @proutatwork
LinkedIn: @PROUT AT WORK-Foundation
Twitter: @proutatwork

If applicable, own company

Position yourself and your company as a supporter of the campaign and for lesbian visibility and call on employees to participate.
The campaign was initiated jointly by the PROUT AT WORK-Foundation and LGBT*IQ business networks. The Lesbian and Gay Association (LSVD) and Wirtschaftsweiber e.V. support the campaign.

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You can also find more helpful information and interviews in our article
on Lesbian Visibility Day 2021.

We look forward to a successful campaign!

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Stand.With.Ukraine. Schriftzug auf gelb-blauem Hintergrund.

We stand in solidarity with all people in Ukraine who are affected by the Russian invasion and war. We know that the Russian regime is extremely queer-hostile and repressive. Therefore, if you would like to support, for example, the LGBT*IQ community or other associations and groups concretely and have the resources to do so, you are welcome to do so via the following pages.

Points of contact and donation options

Many people need immediate help in the current situation. That is why we have listed various donation options here. The list does not claim to be complete. Rather, it represents an excerpt that can be constantly supplemented.

Munich Kyiv Queer / Queere Nothilfe Ukraine

“The contact group Munich Kyiv Queer, formed in 2012 after the CSD in Munich, specifically advocates for the human rights of homo-, bi-, trans* and inter* people in Ukraine. The twinning between Kyiv and Munich is the basis for this.”

“Queere Nothilfe Ukraine is an association of representatives of various organizations from the LGBT*IQ community in Germany. We are in close contact with the human rights organizations on the ground, which use funds for the urgently needed care or evacuation of queer people. Every donation helps and is 100% earmarked.”

With their fundraiser they support activists who need money for transport, accommodation and food until they have found a safe place.

Quarteera e.V.

Quarteera e. V. is an association of Russian-speaking LGBT*IQ in Germany. With their donation campaign, the necessary funds for food, clothing, fees for legal aid, language courses for LGBT*IQ, will be financed.

Kharkiv Pride

KharkivPride is the largest LGBT*IQ Pride organizer in Ukraine, along with KyivPride, which created the event for the protection, equal rights and opportunities of LGBT*IQ people.

You have further input?

Feel free to contact us with specific places to go and ways to donate,
that we can include on the list.

PROUT EMPLOYER Fujitsu

“LGBT*IQ friendly workplaces are part of what we do at Fujitsu.”

Juan Perea Rodríguez started with Fujitsu Siemens in 1999 and held several positions until 2021. In May 2021 he became Head of Sales Central Europe at Fujitsu Technology Solutions GmbH and Managing Director Germany. Juan was born in 1980 and is married with two sons.

Juan Perea Rodríguez, what was your motivation for becoming a PROUT EMPLOYER?

 

Juan Perea Rodríguez: We wanted to set an example. Allyship is important and, for me, this also includes to openly and visibly stand up for LGBT*IQ. The more companies position themselves here, the more “normality” the topic will hopefully achieve. We want to make a contribution here. In addition we wanted to promote internal networking, especially in Germany, because we already have a great global network with FUJITSU Pride and would like to see even more commitment from our German Workforce.

“The signing of the UN LGBTI Standards by our former President was a special moment and brought us a lot of positive feedback internally and externally.”

In 2016 Fujitsu was the first multinational corporation from Japan who promoted LGBT*IQ friendly workspaces throughout the global organisation. How did this come about and what were the reactions to this?

 

Juan Perea Rodríguez: There is a lot happening around women’s equality in Japan and as this happens, perceptions of other diversity dimensions are also changing. This cultural shift has made diversity increasingly important and LGBT+ friendly workplaces are part of what we do at Fujitsu, true to our motto “be completely you”. The signing of the UN LGBTI Standards by our former President was a special moment and brought us a lot of positive feedback internally and externally.

How did D&I and the corporate culture change since that time?

 

Juan Perea Rodríguez: With the revision of the Fujitsu Way, our current President Tokita-san has now also “literally” anchored Diversity and Inclusion in our Code of Values. This has given them the status they deserve internally and in society in general. As topics such as mutual respect, tolerance and cooperation were already clearly anchored in Fujitsu Way before, this was only cosmetics. The culture was already there.

Based on your experiences: What is your advice for global corporations who plan to engage within LGBT*IQ diversity?

 

Juan Perea Rodríguez: Speak to all employees and listen to all of them. Encourage the LGBT*IQ community within the company to openly share their experiences, needs, etc. Offer help and, if necessary, support in countries where discrimination is on a completely different scale than in Western Europe.

Where do you identify future challenges concerning your engagement for LGBT*IQ diversity within Fujitsu?

 

Juan Perea Rodríguez: To sensitize everyone in the company and to make the explicit preoccupation with the topic of D&I obsolete at some point. Because it is firmly anchored in all we do and we naturally all treat each other with respect and appreciation.

Dear Juan Perea Rodríguez, thank you for the interview!

#Rainbowgate

Pride Month ends in a few days and if the past weeks and political decisions, also here in Germany (e.g. Self-Determination Act), haven’t done it yet, the current events around UEFA’s decision make it clear once again that the decisive commitment to LGBT*IQ equal opportunities has to take place 365 days a year and cannot be taken for granted.

It’s no surprise that UEFA has banned the Allianz Arena from being lit up in rainbow colors. Now it has gone one better and turned the tables. In a posting, UEFA interprets the official request by the city of Munich as a political calculation. They themselves understand the rainbow as a non-political sign that is supposed to symbolize their own basic values – the illumination of the Allianz Arena is nevertheless out of the question.

A paradoxical statement that highlights the lack of confrontation with uncomfortable truths and reverses the responsibility for the current situation. With its decision, UEFA shoots itself an own goal – despite the emphasis on political and religious neutrality – because it sets a clear political signal itself. True to the motto: profit before people (lives).

With all the points worth discussing in dealing with #Regenbogengate, however, it should be clear and there is nothing to discuss: Passing laws that deliberately further oppress marginalized people, expose them to violence and make them invisible is a political act and goes against the commitment to human dignity and fundamental rights.

The lighting of the Allianz Arena could have been an important sign for LGBT*IQ people in Hungary, Poland, Germany and worldwide. A sign of solidarity and hope, which, however, must also be followed by action.

LGBT*IQ RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS

As a foundation, we therefore also call on the companies involved in the EM to continue to exert pressure, not only today, but every day to show edge and attitude, to position themselves and to draw consequences in the respective countries. Words must be followed by deeds and the commitment for LGBTIQ must be intensified. Because LGBTIQ rights are human rights that are not negotiable.

Finally, a suggestion on the many great ways already mentioned to make the rainbow visible in the stadium tonight: Can’t the sponsor companies like Booking.com, Lieferando, VW, Heineken, FedEx, etc. spontaneously adjust their perimeter advertising?

We are curious about tonight and further reactions and look forward to an interesting and fair game of both teams.

Contact us

If you would like to learn more about our work or have questions about LGBT*IQ in the company, we would be happy to help you by email or phone call.

The PROUT PERFORMER lists 2021 are online!

The nomination process already started at the beginning of the year and now the time has finally come! You can now get a glimpse of this year’s PROUT PERFORMER lists and be inspired by impressive individuals and their stories.

The German Diversity Day takes place every year and is a initiative of Charta der Vielfalt e.V.. Companies and organizations across Germany participate with a wide range of online and offline activities on diversity – whether for their own employees or the general public. The aim is to bring diversity in all its dimensions into focus in the workplace. This year, the 9th German Diversity Day (#DDT21) will take place on May 18 and all actions will be collected digitally under the hashtag #VielfaltVerbindet. All further information about the day of action can be found on the website of Charta der Vielfalt e.V..

We are in!

We will guide you through our seven HOW TO guides for #DDT21 on our website and social media. The guides highlight social changes from a business perspective. They show options for action that put companies and organizations on the safe side while also taking into account the needs of employees. Gain insights into topics such as “Same-sex marriage” “The third gender option” or learn something about gender-inclusive language with our “Sprechen Sie LGBT*IQ” guide.

HOW TO – our lgbt*iq guides

HOW TO NO. 1 | GERMAN

Same-sex Marriage and What it Means for Businesses

Dear businesspeople and other interested parties, we would like to provide you below with a short guide regarding the changes you can expect in everyday business life as a result of marriage equality and how you can respond to them.

HOW TO NO. 2 | GERMAN & English

UN LGBTI Standards of Conduct for Business


A theoretical overview of the UN LGBTI Standards of Conduct for Business and practical suggestions for implementation in everyday business life.

HOW TO NO. 3 | GERMAN

Do You Speak LGBT*IQ?

Language is much more than just a way to express ourselves – it’s also a mirror to our society. It tells us who is truly considered a full member and who is only included as a footnote. If you want to know how everyone can be included linguistically, you will find practical everyday answers and examples in this guide.

HOW TO No. 4 | GERMAN & ENGLISH

LGBT*IQ FOR BEGINNERS. WHY DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE PAYS OFF. A GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS.

The perfect piece of reading for all employers who have understood that they will meet LGBT*IQ topics all over their company. A beginner’s guide from A as in acronym (what does LGBT*IQ actually mean?) to Z as in zero disturbances concerning personnel development. It will then be clear why the commitment to equal opportunities in the workplace is financially and culturally worthwhile and how diversity can materialize into minds and structures.

HOW TO No. 5 | GERMAN & ENGLISH

LGBT*IQ FOR EMPLOYEES. LGBT*IQ – AND YOU? COMING OUT FOR INSIDERS.

With this guide, we primarily address members of the LGBT*IQ community who wish to appear with their whole self in their everyday work. The guide provides answers to important questions and practical tips for coming out at the workplace.

HOW TO No. 6 | GERMAN & ENGLISH

ALLYSHIP. ALLIES AT WORK. A GUIDE FOR LGBT*IQ ALLIES IN EVERDAY WORKING LIFE

Anyone can be a LGBT*IQ ally anytime and anywhere – that is the ideal case! This guide is primarily aimed at the situation of employees. We show, where they can find other LGBT*IQ allies in their company and give them concrete recommendations for successful cooperation.

HOW TO No. 7 | german

THE THIRD OPTION AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN COMPANIES.

What does gender mean? What is the introduction of a third gender option all about? And what does it mean for employees and employers? In this guide, we have collected answers – as well as measures to implement the law in companies and create an open work culture.