Over a long period of time, the words "Armed Forces" and "LGBTQI+" in combination with each other raised some worry lines on the foreheads of many community members.
Now, however, there is good news, because: The "Prout At Work" foundation now honored queerbw, the network of the German Armed Forces, with an award. The prize was awarded in the category "Big Impact Initiative" and proves that changes for the better and a confrontation with the mistakes of the past are definitely possible.
The LGBT*IQ Awards go into the fourth round
This is the fourth time that the Prout At Work Foundation has awarded prizes to companies and networks that are committed to promoting more equal opportunities in society and supporting people - regardless of their sexual orientation - in the world of work.
Overall, the event is based on three different categories and includes the "Rising Star", "Global Leader Network", "Big Impact Initiative" and - for the first time - the Sustainability Award.
The award winners - who won an LGBT*IQ award?
As already mentioned, queerbw, the network of the German Armed Forces, can be pleased about the award in the category "Big Impact Initiative" this year.
The fact that the Bundeswehr was involved in the rehabilitation of homosexual soldiers was the main reason why this award was chosen. Among other things, it was the merit of the network that networking in the field of politics could take place and that many people were sensitized for the topic.
And indeed, many of the public's reactions to the discrimination that many gay soldiers had long faced showed that numerous people were unaware of the issues queers faced here.
The award in the Rising Star category went to the LGBT*IQ & Friends @ RWE network. This is a company that is primarily committed to educating people about issues relevant to the scene.
In the end, the Global Leader Network Award went to the Encompass Pride network. Many queers might know the organization mainly because it made sure that many Pride events could take place all over the world this summer. In this context, it is particularly interesting that the network is also active in countries where queers are sometimes exposed to stronger discrimination and therefore also contributes an important part to education.
The Proud Heroes network received the Sustainability Award - presented for the first time in 2021. Among other things, it was emphasized that the network works very hard to ensure that measures are implemented at different company levels. At the same time, it creates the basic conditions for preventing discrimination in various ways. The network's goals are long-term and could create the basis for a change in thinking and for more equality.
By the way, due to the Corona pandemic, the award ceremony was once again held online.
What is actually special about the LGBT*IQ Awards?
The LGBT*IQ Awards honor networks within companies that are or have been particularly committed to the rights of queer people. What may seem very detailed at first glance shows how finely tuned work can or should be done here in order to stand up against discrimination against LGBTQI+ people.
Verbal and physical assaults do not only take place in leisure time, while shopping or at schools. The world of work in particular shows time and again that discrimination can have many different faces.
And even though the abuses that prevailed over a long period of time in the Bundeswehr are now being exposed and dealt with, no one should forget that there are still numerous other companies in which queers - unfortunately to this day - are not treated fairly and suffer from bullying, the denial of promotions, and so on.
By the way, Péter Márki-Zay speaks in Hungary