As Stonewall’s 2018 report shows high levels of fear around trans discrimination, Rikki Arundel talks about the need to treat everyone with dignity and respect.

Over half of trans people (51 per cent) have hidden their identity at work for fear of discrimination, according to the LGBT Trans Report by Stonewall published in January 2018. One in eight trans employees surveyed (12 per cent) have been physically attacked by a colleague or customer in the last year.

Rikki Arundel experienced discrimination first-hand when she came out as a transgender woman in 2002 and began living in her new gender. The discrimination that she experienced was so severe, that she had to change her career path completely. Rikki now uses her experience, expertise and her Masters in Gender Research at Hull University, to deliver talks that help all organisations to benefit from embracing diversity and treating everyone with dignity and respect.

In her TedX talk on Gender Identity, Rikki said “Here’s just one simple rule that you can live by - it’s the fundamental principle of all human rights. OK, I have characteristics that make me look and sound like I might be male, but I prefer to dress and express myself as female because my gender identity is female. All I want, is to be treated with dignity and respect, to be allowed to be me without fear for my safety. So, I ask you - treat everyone with dignity and respect.”

On 24 February, Rikki will lead a Transgender Awareness and Inclusion workshop in Berkshire, developed to enable participants to gain a practical understanding of the life challenges facing all trans and gender-non conforming people. The workshop will be delivered using a mix of interactive lecture, video, discussion, case study and Q&A, making the learning process comfortable and memorable.

Book your place at the Transgender Awareness and Inclusion Workshop.

Find more information about trans inclusion and policy development for your workplace visit stonewall.org.uk.