SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) has launched the UK’s first Intersex-Inclusive Pride train to show support and solidarity with its LGBTQIA+ customers and colleagues.
The launch of the new train came after SWR was awarded a leading accreditation for having an inclusive workplace.
SWR, who operate trains across Berkshire and south England, was awarded silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard.
The rainbow Pride flag has long been a symbol of LGBTQIA+ people and it has been updated several times to reflect diversity in the community. In 2021, British intersex equality campaigner Valentino Vecchietti designed the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag which SWR has used on the new train.
Creator of the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag and founder of Intersex Equality Rights UK, Valentino Vecchietti, commented: “The Intersex-Inclusive Pride train means so much to the LGBTQIA+ community and to our families, friends, and allies.
"I created intersex visibility on our global Pride flag to bring joy to my community, and also to raise awareness that intersex people in the UK and worldwide are typically not included in census data collection, equality protections or hate crime legislation.”
On its first run with the new design, the train was crewed exclusively by LGBTQIA+ SWR colleagues.
Chief Operating Officer of South Western Railway, Stuart Meek, said: “It is wonderful to have this train proudly flying the flag for equality on our network, furthering inclusion with the new Intersex-Inclusive flag design, and visibly showing our support for LGBTQIA+ colleagues and customers.
“SWR is one family, and we are committed to fostering a sense of togetherness and standing up for all of our customers and colleagues, and all of the communities we serve.”
For the Inclusive Employers Standard, applicants must provide evidence based on six areas of inclusion and diversity: Engage, Equip, Empower, Embed, Evaluate, and Evolve.
Talking about the inclusivity award, Head of Inclusion and Diversity for South Western Railway, Leanne Illman, said: “We are thrilled to be awarded silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard. Since our first inclusion and diversity strategy launched in 2021, we have worked hard to introduce and embed initiatives such as staff networks, training and awareness, reverse mentoring, and inclusive recruitment practices.
“To have our commitment to inclusion and diversity recognised in this way is credit to our colleagues who have embraced and supported the work we are doing. There is still work we can and want to do, and we look forward to continuing onwards towards our vision of creating an even more inclusive workplace and culture.”
The new inclusive Pride train will continue to be seen on the SWR network.
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