As is customary each year, BBVA has been joining in the LGTBIQ+ Pride celebrations in a bid to spread the word among employees about the importance of creating safe spaces for everyone. Shining the spotlight on LGTBIQ+ role models has been working wonders by raising awareness in the countries in which the bank operates. “At BBVA we want to be an even more inclusive and open company, with more role models, more stories and more safe spaces,” remarks Cristina Gabriel, Head of Diversity at BBVA.
As it does every June 28, BBVA has once again joined in the celebrations surrounding International LGTBIQ Pride Day. Through various talks, workshops and activities, the bank has taken another big step forward in enabling its teams to create safe and inclusive spaces. “Celebrating LGTBIQ+ Pride Day across the branch network is an opportunity to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace and create a safe and respectful environment for all employees. However, there is still much to do and together we can all help to create a more inclusive and genuine culture,” she explains.
In the last year, the bank has championed various initiatives to make further progress along these lines. Notably, the bank has been encouraging all its employees to indicate their pronouns in their digital signatures and people management platforms. “Proper pronoun use is essential in order to recognize and respect the identity of LGBTIQ+ people and their use fosters an inclusive and supportive environment for all people,” proclaims the bank’s Diversity Officer. Using the right pronouns validates and respects people’s gender identity, showing respect and recognition. It also “helps to reduce stigma and discrimination by promoting a welcoming and supportive environment.”
Another measure implemented in Spain in late 2023 was the anti-harassment protocol for LGTBI people, together with a series of initiatives to achieve equality for those who identify with this segment. The protocol aims to achieve genuine and effective equality, to uphold the rights of LGTBI people within the company, and to provide a proper procedure for reporting cases of harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation, sexual identity or gender expression.
BBVA has recently earned the “LGBTQ-plus-owned” label from Google Maps for its branches in Spain, which identifies businesses as safe spaces free from discrimination.
The importance of role models
BBVA’s pledge to support LGTBIQ+ diversity has made it a forerunner in creating diversity and inclusion policies, as it showcases the role models who have achieved a remarkable impact across the organization. “We have been firmly committed to LGTBIQ+ diversity for five years now, and this segment has become increasingly visible through the working groups we have set up in all the countries where we operate. For this visibility to continue and for all our employees to feel free from fear, it is everyone’s responsibility to create safe spaces and support the role models who emerge from among us,” explains Cristina Gabriel.
Having diversity champions within organizations is crucial to promote an inclusive culture that values and respects individual differences. These figures not only inspire and motivate staff from diverse backgrounds, they also positively influence corporate policies and practices, especially when actions taken at the global level are replicated at subsidiaries in other countries where progress toward worker rights may be somewhat slower.
Role models and positive action taken on the global level can have a significant impact at BBVA’s international subsidiaries. And at BBVA, these efforts are yielding excellent results across the Latin American countries in which the bank operates. A prime example is Peru: in a country where same-sex marriage is not legal, the bank has launched a life insurance scheme for male and female employees that includes same-sex couples and children from same-sex families, thus affording them the security and protection they deserve. It has also promoted an internal guide to facilitate gender transitions. These practices ensure a consistent corporate culture and strengthen the company’s commitment to diversity in all its markets.
Diversity in business is not only a matter of social justice, but a competitive edge that can drive innovation and improve organizational performance. Diversity role models play a key role in this process by inspiring and leading by example. Positive action taken at the corporate level, when effectively implemented at international subsidiaries, is capable of transforming corporate culture at all levels, promoting genuine and sustainable inclusion around the world.