Rainbow Mark Arrives in Jersey, Championing LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Local Businesses
Following its resounding success in Guernsey, the pioneering Rainbow Mark program is officially launching in Jersey, a move set to visibly enhance LGBTQ+ inclusivity across the island. This initiative, proudly partnered with NatWest International, offers local businesses a free and straightforward way to demonstrate their commitment to creating welcoming and safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community.
The Rainbow Mark serves as a clear indicator, displayed through window stickers and digital icons, that participating organizations are LGBTQ+ friendly and dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment. It's a kitemark initiative for a wide range of public-facing establishments, including shops, salons, cafes, bars, restaurants, gyms, and nightclubs – essentially any venue where the public interacts as customers or clients.
The program is built upon five core principles, ensuring a consistent and meaningful commitment to inclusion:
The program is built upon five core principles, ensuring a consistent and meaningful commitment to inclusion:
❤️ Commitment to a Welcome, Inclusive, and Safe Space: Providing a welcoming environment and maintaining best practice for the LGBTQ+ community.
🧡 Valued, Protected, and Free to Be Themselves: Ensuring LGBTQ+ customers, clients, and staff feel valued, protected, and empowered to be authentic.
💛 Supportive Language: Using inclusive and respectful language to ensure comfort for everyone.
💚 Addressing Discriminatory Behaviour: Pledging to actively address any discriminatory behaviour or language.
💙 Seeking Expert Advice: Agreeing to contact Liberate for advice and best practice when addressing issues of discrimination or intolerance toward LGBTQ+ individuals.
A launch event is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18th, at 12:00 PM, featuring a presentation from Mark Smith, RBSI Relationship Director from Guernsey, alongside Kaye Nicholson CEO Liberate, who will lead the Jersey launch. Kaye will also be available until 4:00 PM for business leaders to drop in and learn more about signing up and demonstrating their vital support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Businesses interested in joining the launch event are encouraged to email Kaye to reserve their place. For those unable to attend but still wishing to sign up, a pack can be delivered. The organizers are keen to see a widespread display of these visible support stickers throughout the community this month.
The Rainbow Mark initiative is a testament to Jersey's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, providing a tangible way for businesses to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
