MI5 takes surprising top spot in LGBT study

The British spy agency has received recognition for being the nation’s most welcoming employer towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.

A recent study into the diversity of UK workplaces has revealed a surprising front runner – intelligence agency MI5, made internationally famous by its fictional role in the James Bond series.

Activist organization Stonewall examined hundreds of employers across the nation to evaluate their progress and achievements in terms of LGBT equality – companies has to excel in 10 separate areas of employment practice in order to make the top 100.

With chauvinist spy James Bond as an accidental representative, the British Secret Service may seem like an unlikely winner but the agency proved itself to be far fairer than most would think.

“Diversity is vital for MI5, not just because it’s right that we represent the communities we serve, but because we rely on the skills of the most talented people whoever they are, and wherever they may be,” said MI5 head Andrew Parker.

The closest runners up included Lloyds Banking Group in second place and the National Assembly of Wales in third place but all three beat out approximately 400 other organizations that submitted themselves for consideration.

“[People] “can only give the best they can give when they feel supported, valued, and treated with respect by their colleagues,” added Parker.
 

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