All Equals Charter

The All Equals Charter is a set of values, principles and commitments that participating businesses and organisations must adhere to in order to ensure the inclusion and prevention of discrimination against LGBT+ people, both service users and staff.

Launched by the Manchester Pride charity in 2019, the charter aims to help businesses and organisations across Greater Manchester to recognise and challenge any form of discrimination. It works as a support system helping participating organisations on achieving diverse and equal workplace.

The commitments, principles and values of the charter are outlined at below.

Tameside & Glossop Strategic Commission (Tameside Council and NHS Tameside & Glossop CCG) agreed to be among the first organisations to test and implement the charter.

To formally adopt the charter, organisations must go through the accreditation process on an annual basis. This means carrying out a self-assessment of our policies and practices, which is submitted to Manchester Pride for feedback. Then an assigned ‘grade’ is given which determines how well we perform for LGBT+ people and people with other protected characteristics. The grades are:

Role model
Good practice
Foundation
Entry level

Following accreditation, Pride outlines a set of suggested actions that we can make in order to continue good work or improve on areas where there is weakness.
Tameside & Glossop Strategic Commission has now been an accredited organisation for two years running. During this time, we have improved our overall judgement from Manchester Pride.

Read more about the outcome of our judgement in 2020 here.
Read more about the outcome of our judgement in 2021 here.
Finally, more information about the All Equals Charter can be found here.

The Commitments

The All Equals Charter is based on a set of commitments (as outlined below) which members pledge to follow;

Recognition of the Diversity of LGBT+ People

We recognise that LGBT+ people are a diverse group of people from many backgrounds. We will respond to this diversity in all our activities. We will work to ensure that everyone who comes into contact with our organisation/business is treated fairly and equally.

Challenging Prejudice and Discrimination

We will take appropriate action against people who perpetrate hate speech, hate crimes or discriminate against an LGBT+ person or people. Hate and discrimination also include hate or discrimination related to a person’s characteristics in addition to their sexual orientation and or gender identity.

Workforce

We are committed to employing a diverse workforce through open and fair recruitment procedures. We will train, develop and support our staff to work in ways that are consistent with equality and inclusion principles and practices.

Services

We are committed to developing and providing services that can be used by a diverse range of LGBT+ people. We will monitor and review our services so make sure this is the case for all our services. We also want to provide barrier-free access and an equally good experience of using our services for all LGBT+ people.

Policy and Decision Making

We will develop specific policies to implement this Charter. We will review our existing policies to ensure that they support the requirements of this Charter. We will also ensure that our decision making supports the aims, principles and values of this Charter.

Working with Partners

In implementing this Charter we will work with our partners and encourage and support them to adopt and implement the Charter. We will share good practice and learn from other Charter Signatories and our partners. We will also participate in any forums that exist to support the implementation of this Charter.

Progress Tracking and Reporting

We will take action all year round to implement this Charter. We will also report on our progress and make this available to partners, services users/customers and other stakeholders.

Principles and Values

The Principles and Values are designed to help guide the actions of members in implementing the Charter.

Equality for all LGBT+ people

This means that there is:

Respect for all LGBT+ people and their diverse backgrounds
Challenging of prejudice, hate and discrimination aimed at any LGBT+ person

It also means:

LGBT+ spaces should be safe for all LGBT+ people
Services aimed at LGBT+ people should be accessible to all LGBT+ people in scope for the service

Inclusion of all LGBT+ people

This means that:

The celebration of LGBT+ life should include the lives of diverse LGBT+ people so that all LGBT+ people feel included
The representation of LGBT+ people should include LGBT+ people from diverse LGBT+ backgrounds
When the experiences and views of LGBT+ people are sought, the views and experience of a diverse range of LGBT+ people are included, not just those who are easy to communicate with or engage

Education for LGBT+ Equality and Inclusion

This means that:

Education in its broadest sense should be used as a tool to inform and challenge as part of the promotion of LGBT+ equality and inclusion
There is a fair and accurate representation of all LGBT+ people (including minorities) and stereotypes are avoided and are constructively challenged

Honesty and Openness

This means signatories to this Charter:

Should be transparent about their actions to implement it
Are honest and open about their achievements in implementing this Charter
Information, evidence and data presented is accurate and complete
Learn from their mistakes and what can be improved

Cooperation and Collaboration

This means:

Signatories to this Charter should share their good practice and learning regarding the implementation of this charter
Where possible provide practical support to others on the implementation of the Charter

Work to the Spirit of the Charter

Signatories should work to the spirit of the Charter, not just the letter.

Work within the framework of the Equality Act 2010

Signatories should work within the law and meet all their responsibilities and duties under the Equality Act 2010.