Page 29 - SyI Quarterly 9 final

First of a kind Rainbow Group Launched
First of a kind Rainbow Group Launched

The Security Institute is proud to have launched its
‘Rainbow Group’, the first security sector wide LGBT+
support and advocacy group.
The group has been launched as an offshoot of the
Inclusive Security Special Interest Group (ISSIG) by
a committee of 4 SIG members: Satia Rai MSyI, Mel
Hipwood MSyI, Sian Doherty MSyI and Ben Harding
(pictured below).

The Inclusivity and Diversity Survey launched by
the ISSIG earlier this year, which received over 700
responses, found that the LGBT+ community was
well represented in the sector with 3% of security
professionals identified as gay, 2% as lesbian, 2% as
bisexual and 2% asexual. However, in-depth interviews
found that very few felt able to be their “authentic
selves” at work”.

On the aims of the Rainbow Group, Mel Hipwood MSyI commented:
‘“ We want rainbow individuals to know that we are there for them, that it is safe
to be yourself and by creating a more inclusive sector we will gain a more diverse
workforce which promotes positivity and helps us relate more to the diverse world
we live in and are responsible for protecting.”
Satia Rai MSyl added: “The Rainbow Group will be providing a wide range of support
for Rainbow+ people in the security institute and wider security industry. A safe
place for them to be proud and out, be themselves.”
The Rainbow Group will be holding bi-monthly meetings - with the next set to take
place virtually in January. Details to follow.