In its 3rd year, the 2020 Out & Equal LGBTQ China Forum brought together LGBTQ and ally professionals from multinational and local companies in the APAC region on December 8th alongside community partners D&I Consulting. This year’s China Forum included a half-day of learning, connecting, and discussion on the most relevant topics in LGBTQ inclusion in the region. We heard from leaders at Out & Equal, senior executives, D&I professionals, ERG leaders, and global LGBTQ advocates on issues including developing a business case for inclusion, bringing in allies, starting and maintaining employee resource groups and more.
The day began with a plenary session featuring IBM leaders in the APAC region discussing their company’s journey to inclusion and sharing best practices. Following the opening plenary session, attendees had the opportunity to meet in smaller groups to share their stories and company’s best practices for inclusion and belonging in the workplace. The forum gave attendees tangible action items and ideas to implement in their own workplaces.
Out & Equal will continue to work with our partners in China and throughout the APAC region to build resources, share best practices, and plan next year’s forum. We are already looking forward to the 2021 China Forum!
Highlights from the day:
.@deenafidas on why LGBTQ inclusion in China is important now more than ever. 🇨🇳
— Out & Equal (@OutandEqual) December 8, 2020
The 2020 China Forum is about to start! Join the conversation using #OEChina #BusinessOfBelonging! pic.twitter.com/JOqhsoa8BB
Ivy Wong on the important lessons learned from 2020. 🇨🇳#OEChina #BusinessOfBelonging pic.twitter.com/NUNTBRca9B
— Out & Equal (@OutandEqual) December 8, 2020
Midori Sugita talks about inclusion across the APAC region on the #OEChina opening session – IBM’s Journey to Advance LGBT+ Inclusion in Asia. #BusinessOfBelonging pic.twitter.com/DhzgwwxEoz
— Out & Equal (@OutandEqual) December 8, 2020
Every single step towards inclusion matters. #OEChina #BusinessOfBelonging pic.twitter.com/Dfzyk6CM1b
— Out & Equal (@OutandEqual) December 8, 2020
The APAC region has made extraordinary progress and will continue to make strides towards LGBTQ+ inclusion. 🇨🇳#OEChina #BusinessOfBelonging pic.twitter.com/VG0F3qjDbj
— Out & Equal (@OutandEqual) December 8, 2020
.@ErinUritus: Belonging is more than feeling. It’s a strategy for stronger businesses. 💙
— Out & Equal (@OutandEqual) December 8, 2020
We just wrapped the 2020 Out & Equal China Forum! Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s event! #OEChina #BusinessOfBelonging pic.twitter.com/oKOawXTvJB