Taking pride in RX

Flavio Correa, Chapter Lead, RX Brazil Pride

I work on PROUD Experiences, our LGBTQ+ travel and lifestyle event. The very first edition of our annual show took place at Saatchi Gallery, in London, and to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Stonewall in 2019 we moved to New York, working in partnership with NYC & Company. We hosted the second edition at the beautiful 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, where we can’t wait to return from 8-10 November 2021.

Working on PROUD Experiences naturally drove me to get involved with RX Brazil Pride which I helped to launch in June 2020, alongside our amazing HR team. Personally speaking I have always been accepted and loved by my friends and family and I am proud to share that after 14 years with my partner I still get emotional thinking about how challenging life can be sometimes for those who face any prejudice or feel unrepresented. Our Pride chapters show how RX is committed to creating a safe environment for all of us, offering the opportunity for every single employee to learn, speak out and celebrate diversity worldwide.

Will Wise, Executive Sponsor for RX US Pride

When RX US Pride asked for someone from our Senior Leadership Team to take on the role of Executive Sponsor, I enthusiastically put my name forward.  On a business level, I am a strong believer in diversity, integrity and respect – and that ideas and inspiration can and should come from all parts and all levels of the company. On a personal level, my son came out as gay before high-school age, and my wife and I are strong advocates for him and the LGBTQ+ community. We are keenly aware of the courage and resilience it takes to navigate ups and downs, and norms and biases in society.  

Serving as the Executive Sponsor for the Pride Chapter has been a very positive and reflective experience for me. Amidst the huge challenges we’ve faced during this COVID timeframe, it has been very valuable to learn about the history and real-world stories of people who are LGBTQ+, definitions of identity, candidly reflecting on unconscious bias in systems, laws and legislation, and speaking out more than ever to have meaningful conversations with family, friends, and colleagues. Being an Executive Sponsor and getting involved with the Chapter, in general, is a key opportunity to have people get to know you better, not just as a colleague – but as a person, ally and caring collaborator to truly show that we are all in this together.

Adam Cartledge, Chapter Lead for
RX UK OutRight

When I was at school, homophobic stigma and discrimination were common and I experienced both verbal and physical abuse.  As I grew older I was determined to contribute in some way to changing the way in which people are treated. So when I heard talk about setting up an LGBTQ+ employee support group in RX UK I naturally wanted to find out more. We held our kick-off meeting in a pub across the road from our office in February 2020. Over 60 people turned up ‒ LGBTQ+ identifying colleagues who wanted to share their stories, but also allies who wanted to listen and understand.

We bring our members together through social events such as Drag Queen Bingo and film nights, and volunteering opportunities, while also campaigning to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues locally and nationally. We provide support to members, and advice to allies, for example on the use of language around LGBTQ+ issues. This month we are excited to partner with our Pride US Chapter to hold a virtual day of talks and presentations, including a fireside chat with special guest speaker, Ben Hunte, the BBC’s first LGBT correspondent. RX’s support for OutRight, and our Pride Chapters shows that it is serious about fostering a workplace environment where anyone can feel safe, proud and comfortable in their own skin.

Molly Langer, Ally, RX US Pride  

Many of my closest friends are members of the LGBTQ community, so I joined Pride to show them that I support them; I want to put in the work as an Ally to make sure my LGBTQ friends know they are seen, valued, and supported in the workplace. The entire workplace is a happier place when everyone feels safe to be themselves—diversity brings the best ideas and innovations.

Being a member of the Pride Leadership team has allowed me to work with people on different teams, in different functions, and from different Business Units across the world. I personally have learned so much on how to be a good Ally, and am so grateful to our LGBTQ colleagues for being so open and willing to share experiences. Sometimes as Allies we live in bubbles—we are surrounded with likeminded people—and hearing the stories shared during our Pride meetings is a good reality check about the importance of bringing equality to all. 

Samantha Nagel, Ally, RX US Pride

Throughout my entire life, I have always had positive LGBTQ+ influences. Between friends and family, I have often considered myself an active Ally and was excited to join the Pride chapter at RX when it first started.

Inclusion and diversity in the workplace starts with staff believing that it is important and necessary. As a pride leadership member, I can contribute and create a work environment that is not only welcoming but inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community and other minority groups. I have always considered myself an Ally and as a member of the RX US Pride, I have continued to learn and evolve and get to know my colleagues differently than I ever could have imagined. We have truly created a community that people can come together, to learn and discuss how to make a difference.

Emma Riley, LGBTQ+ identifying member of RX UK OutRight

Putting oneself out as a visible example of a person who is openly gay yet fully included, accepted and listened to is hugely powerful. You never know how many people you can support or encourage just by being seen. So when my colleagues put out a call for volunteers to get involved with RX UK OutRight I thought I may be able to help.

As Global Privacy Programme Manager for RX I have personal experience of a colleague telling me that seeing someone like me in my position has given them the confidence to be more open at work. That is a great feeling! Also, being part of the RX OutRight ERG it gives me the opportunity to learn from and network with people in other RX units and the wider RELX group.

Keith Davis, Chapter Lead, RX US Pride

When I started at RX in May 2019 it was my first professional move for a long time, and I realised I was anxious about the whole business of ‘coming out’ all over again to my new colleagues. Soon after joining I was walking through the office when I saw a flyer announcing the launch of RX US Pride. The meeting was really well attended and I immediately volunteered to be part of the leadership team, taking on the communications role. I’m quite a private person and this took me out of my comfort zone; but I wanted to help foster a work environment in which people didn’t need to feel anxious as I had done. I also saw it as an opportunity to develop my own leadership skills.

We quickly realised that tapping into guest speakers, and opening our meetings up to everyone in the office and the wider RELX community was the best way to engage and educate on LGBTQ+ issues. We have welcomed guest speakers from the Non-Binary community, PFLAG, RX own PROUD Experiences, representatives of at-risk local youth, and have profiled important conversations on Queer identity, Transgender visibility, HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ Families, and more.

I get elated when members come up to me and say “that meeting really helped me with something I am dealing with.” I also really value the contributions of our Allies, who bring their own insights and passion to the cause. RX US Pride believes that when we hear the voices of others, we rise together. It is within this collective space that new perspectives are formed, shared vulnerability is discovered, and a stronger community is created.