Virgin Atlantic to share research on ‘economic case for LGBT+ inclusion in the Caribbean’
Richard Branson and Harriet Cross, British High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago, are among speakers at Wednesday's public webinar.
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Pexels
Virgin Atlantic is to share research on ‘The Economic Case For LGBT+ Inclusion in the Caribbean’ in a public webinar this Wednesday.
The airline has teamed up with Open For Business, a coalition of leading global companies dedicated to LGBTQ inclusion, for the investigation.
Findings will be discussed as part of a virtual roundtable discussion featuring Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and Her Excellency Harriet Cross, British High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago, among others.
The digital event is open to all and takes place on Wednesday 30 June 2021 from 2-3:30pm BST (9am-10:30am EST).
“Insights from the largest LGBT+ dataset in the region”
According to the event’s RSVP page, it will present “new data on just how much LGBT+ exclusion costs society – including insights from the largest LGBT+ dataset in the region – and what businesses and governments can do to promote meaningful inclusion.”
The page also states: “Following this knowledge-driven roundtable, you can also join a conversation by civil society and the private sector in Trinidad and Tobago as they adopt their first policy on LGBT inclusion in the workplace. CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice will lead this dialogue with support from leading corporations.”
Other speakers include Jon Miller, Founder and Chair, Open For Business; Dr. Angelique Nixon, Director, CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice and Phil Crehan, Principal Investigator – Caribbean Local Influencer Program.
Virgin Atlantic flies to Caribbean destinations including Cuba, Jamaica, and Barbados. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal throughout much of the Caribbean, although it is legal in certian destinations such as Aruba (Mexico) and Puerto Rico.
Earlier this year, the Attitude Travel Survey supported by Belmond found that 27% of respondents have encountered homophobia or transphobia while travelling.
Of those, 60% have been on the receiving end of it more than once, with a third saying it has happened three times or more.
For more information about webinar, click here.