The rights of LGBTIQ are in the spotlight in Australia at the moment as the government prepares for its postal vote on same sex marriage.
As anticipated, haters that have been remarkably absent, or at least silent, about Australia’s LGBTIQ communities in recent decades have become vocal.
But there are brands and Agencies prepared to stand up and be counted for their support. One of Australia’s major supporters of LGBTIQ people is ANZ bank.
Next year will be the 40th anniversary of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. It will also be ANZ’s 12th year as a Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras partner.
ANZ has announced that it will continue on as principal partner until 2020. And it has joined with Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras to launch a new community grants program to provide funds for LGBTQI community organisations to support a wide range of initiatives.
The program, to be launched in 2018, will provide grants to LGBTQI community organisations and charities for a wide range of purposes including, education and training, arts and culture and sporting and community groups.
ANZ will co-present a number of events with Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, including Fair Day and the Diamond Club parade viewing areas. ANZ also supports the Mardi Gras Workshop where Parade floats are made, and the SGLMG Volunteers Program.
SGLMG chief executive officer, Terese Casu, commented, “We are absolutely thrilled to continue our important relationship with ANZ, who have been supporting the Mardi Gras festival and the LGBTQI community for over a decade – we’re so proud of the work ANZ does in promoting the needs of our communities. We’re looking forward to the next 3 years of their continued Principal Partnership, and marching with them on the road to equality for LGBTQI peoples.”
ANZ managing director corporate and commercial banking, Mark Hand, who chairs the bank’s Diversity Council, added, “We are very happy to once again join the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras to support the LGBTQI community through this new grants program.
“This will help grassroots organisations to continue supporting the community across a broad range of initiatives and ANZ is proud to help foster this activity.
“We are also very proud to be extending our long-term support of the Mardi Gras and the work it does in promoting the LGBTQI community not just in Sydney, but across the nation as the annual parade has become a highlight on the events calendar that many Australians participate in.”
ANZ was awarded Australia’s 2017 Employer of the Year and an award for transgender inclusion at the Australian LGBTI Inclusion Awards by Pride in Diversity. The company is also a world leader in HR policies relating to supporting and promoting education within companies in relation to the LGBTQI community.
