Below is an article originally written by PowerToFly Partner Invesco, and published on December 26, 2019. Go to Invesco's page on PowerToFly to see their open positions and learn more.
2019 was a banner year for the LGBT+ community at Invesco. The firm's momentum toward growing an inclusive culture increased with the launch of InvescoProud, the global LGBT+ network.
InvescoProud is working to build an inclusive culture is where every individual feels that they can bring their whole self to work, be accepted and respected. In support of the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion, Invesco expanded its D&I efforts in 2019 by launching the InvescoProud Network on May 1. Events were held simultaneously in the Henley and Atlanta offices. Despite the five-hour time difference, Atlanta hosted a lunch-time gathering while Henley held an informal cocktail reception.
InvescoProud also launched chapters in Frankfurt in July, and Hyderabad in September. In India, it has taken many years to make progress for LGBT+ rights. Last year, India annulled Section 377 and decriminalized homosexuality, while Invesco introduced same sex partnership benefits for India employees.
In June, Invesco celebrated Pride month firm-wide with a focus on allyship. The challenge of feeling that you can bring your whole self to work is not unique to LGBT+ colleagues, but it does reinforce the importance of having strong and vocal Allies in the workplace, these are individuals who are willing to learn, challenge their own preconceptions and act to help create a supportive and inclusive environment. These recent LGBT+ events and actions taken by our firm represent our ability to have more open conversations and further inclusion efforts that encourage others to take on active supporting Ally roles.
In July, Invesco joined hundreds of firms to sign a "friend of the court" or amicus brief, recommending that the U.S. Supreme Court include sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination as a violation of the Civil Rights Act. This was the first time in Invesco history that the firm actively took a stance on a social justice matter.
National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11 was globally recognized in support of a safe world for LGBT+ individuals to come out and live truthfully and openly.
There have been significant strides with LGBT+ rights and equality in recent years, including same sex marriage legalization, now in 28 countries, but there is still much more to do. Being LGBT+ is still illegal in about 70 countries and it is currently legal in 17 states to be fired on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
InvescoProud is looking forward to 2020. The steering committee has been hard at work creating a solid infrastructure to kick start the New Year. Most notably, Loren Starr, SMD and Chief Financial Officer has agreed to be an executive sponsor of the group and will provide guidance and support as IPN evolves.
