Newcastle best placed for LGBT commitment

Newcastle City Council has been named as the highest-placed local authority on the Stonewall Top 100 index, highlighting its commitment to inclusivity and equality of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) employees.

The charity annually ranks the country’s top employers looking at how employers support their LGBT staff in the workplace and ranks the best 100. Newcastle City Council has risen closer to the summit to fifth place – the highest position the council has ever achieved. The ranking also makes Newcastle City Council the highest-placed local authority on the list.  

Joyce McCarty, deputy leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “I am immensely proud that once again we have climbed even further up Stonewall’s Top 100 list. We pride ourselves on treating everybody equally and equality is absolutely among our core values. A lot of members of staff have worked tirelessly to achieve this recognition and this a fantastic outcome for all their efforts.

 “Newcastle City Council is not the only champion of inclusivity of the LGBT community, the wider North East generally is very inclusive, as shown with the wonderful achievement of Northern Pride being confirmed to host UK Pride in 2020.”