A new report by the Rainbow Project suggests that one in four LGB people hide their sexuality in the private sector.

The report, “Through Our Eyes”, researched the experiences of LGB employees in Northern Ireland regarding equality and diversity. It found that two-fifths of these workers in the public sector had heard derogatory comments while 31% in community and voluntary sectors had experienced them. In private businesses, this figure was 42%. Around 70% of those who complained about homophobia in their workplace were not happy with how their grievance was dealt with or the outcome of the complaint.

Matthew McDermott, equality officer at the Rainbow Project, explained, “This report presents quantitative data on the experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual people of employment in Northern Ireland. It is the first piece of research of its kind in Northern Ireland, which will inform government and employers of the experiences of LGB people in the workplace. This in turn should then enable government and employers to consider the measures they think appropriate to improve working life for all LGB people.”

John O’Doherty, director for Rainbow Project, added that Government, employers and the Rainbow project itself had considerable work to do to improve the situation: “This report provides the evidence base for what it is like for LGB people in work in Northern Ireland… I would urge our political representatives to read the report and commit to working together to implementing the recommendations.”

The report was launched on Wednesday by Northern Ireland’s social development minister, Alex Attwood.

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