IE University discusses the challenges of attracting international LGBTQ+ talent

In recent years, Spain and Madrid, in particular, have attracted growing numbers of LGBTQ+ professionals from overseas, drawn by the opportunities available here for their professional growth as well as a safe, welcoming environment. Likewise, the legal system that Spain has been building to guarantee the protection of the rights of this group has positioned the country and its capital as the first option for people seeking refuge from persecution in their countries of origin due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Both realities were the focus of the conversation at “WELCOME TALENT! Attracting International LGBTQ+ Talent,” an international event held this Thursday at IE Tower, IE University's new technological and sustainable headquarters in Madrid. Begoña Villacís, Deputy Mayor of Madrid City Council, highlighted the city's commitment to international LGBTQ+ talent. Welcome Talent! was organized by myGwork, the network of LGBTQ+ companies and professionals, together with IE University's IE Out&Allies Club, the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain, CENTRHO and REDI, and sponsored by Google.

“Talent has no surname, but if we don't do everything we can to promote it we will not succeed in attracting the people companies need, so that they in turn reflect our society’s commitment civil rights,” said Deputy Mayor Villacís. She added that Madrid “is a space of equality and harmony, but we cannot be satisfied because only 35% of LGBTQ+ people dare to talk about their identity at work” warning that while there has been steady progress, “we cannot congratulate ourselves because we can never take certain rights for granted. We are seeing that they can be taken away very quickly, as in the cases of Hungary and Poland.”

“I want Madrid to be the air outside the closet. And the work of inclusive companies allows for more oxygen, more freedom and more capacity and willingness to give everything, because what is really needed is that relationship of trust between companies and workers.”
Begoña Villacís, Deputy Mayor of Madrid City Council

The discussion, which took place online and in person, addressed the ongoing challenges in this area for companies and organizations operating in Spain, which are called upon to consolidate diversity and intersectional inclusion policies. This is an urgent task, since, according to data from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), 69 countries maintain legal sanctions against LGBTQ+ people, 10 of which carry the death penalty. This type of persecution is one of the main reasons given in the asylum requests that Spain receives daily.

“Spain has the opportunity to consolidate its international presence as a privileged place committed to the development of international LGBTQ+ talent. And it is a win-win relationship for both parties: for the professionals of the collective who decide to settle here our legal framework ensures a better quality of life, and in turn our country benefits from their skills and capabilities to drive economic growth, innovation and, above all, to strengthen social commitment,” said Miguel Garzón, myGwork's general director for Spain and Latin America. Garzón moderated different panels that included Fernando Fernández-Arias, a member of the Spanish Diplomatic Corps; Gonzalo Garland, vice president of IE Foundation, and representatives of pioneering companies such as Google, Netflix, GSK and Glovo. Expatriates and refugees from the group shared their testimonies as well.

“IE University is a meeting place to exchange and discuss ideas, fulfilling its mission to educate, research and innovate. And it also has a very active commitment, and I would even say a precursor, in its promotion of diversity in multiple dimensions,” said Gonzalo Garland, vice president of the IE Foundation at IE University.

“This Welcome Talent! event fits perfectly into this commitment to inclusion that enriches not only all the people who are in this diverse and inclusive environment, but also, and very importantly, the companies and institutions that participate.”
Gonzalo Garland, vice president of the IE Foundation at IE University

The same commitment is upheld by CENTRHO, the Spanish human resources management association affiliated to AEDIPE, the Spanish People Management Association. “Diversity and inclusion issues are high on our agenda. Raising awareness through best practices in our associated companies and professionals. Joining events like this and initiatives such as #DóndeEstánEllas of the European Parliament Office in Spain are examples of our involvement,” explained its president, Rafael Cabarcos. María Jesús Pérez, secretary general of CENTRHO, added that “talent does not understand barriers and companies and societies in general cannot afford to bias development by barriers of this kind.”

Companies committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion

One of the companies that has been particularly involved in supporting international LGBTQ+ talent is the British pharmaceuticals firm GSK. Ana Valdivielso, its head of HR Cluster, is also part of the Talent Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain: “One of our main objectives is to foster an inclusive and respectful working environment in the organization, where all employees can be themselves. As part of this ambition to continue improving in terms of inclusiveness, I would like to highlight our commitment to diversity, which is materialized especially through the Spectrum working group, which was created with the aim of making the LGTBI+ reality visible in the workplace, creating an environment of respect and tolerance and promoting actions that promote awareness of the problems affecting this group.”

GSK is also part of REDI, the network of companies committed to LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion in the Spanish corporate fabric.

Google is another global company committed to creating inclusive workplaces. “For us, diversity begins in the company's mission. Our audience includes everyone and, in order to understand it well, it has to be well represented within the company. From there, diversity is endemic,” said Ramiro Mendoza, Senior Marketing Director for Spain and Portugal at Google.

Along with GSK, other companies, such as Ab InBev, Bisse Asesores, BlackRock, Brown-Forman, Burger King, Capgemini, Checkout.com, CRITEO, Danaher, Enterprise, Expedia, Fitch Group, GILEAD, Glovo, JLL, Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Levi Strauss & Co, Mercer Consulting, Morningstar, Netflix, Oracle, Organon, Pearson, WTW, Yahoo and Zimmer Biomet were recognized as inclusive employers by myGwork, highlighting the implementation of strong diversity and inclusion policies with a special focus on LGBTQ+.

About myGwork

myGwork is the business community for LGBTQ+ professionals, graduates, inclusive employers and anyone who believes in equality in the workplace. It aims to empower the LGBTQ+ community by offering members a safe space where they can connect with inclusive employers, find jobs, mentors, career events and news. The company's founders, Adrien and Pierre Gaubert, won the Attitude Young LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur of the Year award. myGwork was also included in the Top 5 Startups with Pride by Geek Times, and recently won the Diva Magazine Award of Corporate Allies.