Santander’s Embrace LGBTI+ network in Spain are sharing employee stories about being yourself in the workplace, about coming out of the closet and the challenges they’ve seen friends or families face. On International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, help us to break the silence.
 

In our families, social circles or at work there are many who feel that their sexuality or gender identities must be hidden. They feel as though they cannot be themselves.

To recognise the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on May 17, we want to help break that silence and celebrate our diversity, by sharing stories our colleagues, as LGBTI+ people themselves or as their families, friends and allies.

Studies have found that nearly two-thirds of Spain’s LGBTI+ community remains closeted, and 2019 research by a Spanish organisation found that while 56% of LGBTI+ people in Spain are open with their friends or family, only 38% feel comfortable to be themselves in the workplace. 

Chema Palomo, Global Talent Acquisition Director and a leader of the Group’s Embrace network said: “It will take more than a single day to raise awareness of the fears and uncertainties people may face in being themselves in the workplace. By keeping the conversation going and continuing to share and hear these stories, we hope it will demonstrate even more clearly how important our diversity and inclusion is to our business and to society as a whole.”

The Santander Embrace Network was formed in Spain in 2018, following the lead of Embrace networks in Santander’s UK and US businesses. Santander in Brazil also formed an LGBTI+ network in 2019 and has been recognised as one of the most LGBT-friendly companies to work for in that market.

You can see more stories helping to ‘break the silence’ below.