Equality, diversity and inclusion

LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge

We have signed the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge, a national initiative designed to strengthen inclusivity and equality for LGBTQ+ people across the housing sector.

Created by HouseProud in 2019 and delivered in partnership with Stonewall Housing, the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge provides a framework for housing associations to demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ residents and colleagues.

The pledge challenges organisations to review their culture, practices and services, ensuring they are actively working to create safe, supportive and welcoming spaces for all.

By signing the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge, we are making a clear statement about our values. We are committing to putting inclusion at the centre of everything we do, and we are holding ourselves accountable for ensuring LGBTQ+ people feel respected, supported and celebrated across our homes, workplaces and communities.

Our LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Champions

Sophie Atkinson, Executive Director of Governance

“It’s always good practice to look at our ways of working to see how we can improve. What is unique about the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge is that it requires customers and colleagues to work together to identify and drive solutions. As a bisexual woman, I’m excited to work in partnership with both colleagues and customers to take this forward at GSA.”

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Steve Hayes, Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications

"We employ 1,600 people and own and manage 25,000 homes, so many thousands of our colleagues and customers will be part of the LGBTQ+ community. We want to do all we can to be an inclusive organisation and ensure we aren’t doing anything that could unwittingly discriminate against people who work for GSA or live in our homes and communities. Signing up to the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge is a great way to hold ourselves to account on this goal and be part of a network of organisations and professionals with the same ambition.”

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Jon Upchurch, Customer Panel Member

"In a year or two I’d measure success for GSA’s involvement in the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge as not only having delivered on our pledges, but also making a measurable difference in terms of raised awareness of both housing-related LGBTQ+ issues and GSA’s commitment within the organisation, with GSA customers and in the social housing sector as a whole. I’d like other landlords to see GSA’s success and be inspired to emulate it for their LGBTQ+ residents."

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Our LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Working Group:

  • Sophie Atkinson – Executive Lead
  • Sarah Mason – Customer Panel Chair
  • Jon Upchurch – Customer Panel Member
  • Helen Crump – Colleague Voices Chair
  • Richard Green – Colleague Voices Chair
  • Steve Jevons – Safety Manager, Property Directorate
  • Lisa Bennett – Customer Liaison Officer, Homes and Communities Directorate
  • Mariana Camarotte – EDI and Engagement Lead

Learn more about the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge

Visit the HouseProud website to explore how housing providers are supporting LGBTQ+ residents.

Find out more
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