I Exist Too Declaration

The Declaration of LGBTQI+ Inclusion within the Maritime Industry

Preamble

We, the undersigned individuals and organisations, acknowledge that the maritime industry has historically been an environment that has not been inclusive or supportive of the LGBTQI+ community. Discrimination, harassment, and unequal treatment have been too common, creating barriers for the full participation of LGBTQI+ individuals in our industry.

As organisations and professionals committed to both human rights and improving the diversity and inclusivity of the maritime industry, we recognise the importance of creating a welcoming and supportive workplace for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

Pledge

We pledge to take concrete steps to create a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQI+ community within our organisations, and in the wider maritime industry. We commit to fostering an environment where all individuals feel safe, valued, and respected, and to creating policies and practices that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.

We respect the human rights of all, including the human rights of LGBTQI+ people in our industry. We recognise that change is an ongoing process, and we commit to continuously improving our practices to ensure that our workplaces are welcoming and supportive for all.

Principles

To guide our efforts, we commit to the following five principles as signatories of this declaration:

1. Zero Tolerance for Discrimination and Harassment: We will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. We will create clear policies that prohibit such behaviour, provide training to our employees, and we will enforce these policies consistently.

2. Support for LGBTQI+ Employees: We will actively support our LGBTQI+ employees by providing them with the necessary resources and support to thrive in our organizations. This includes creating support mechanisms such as employee resource groups, offering diversity and inclusion training across our organisations, and providing access to mental health resources.

3. Supplier Diversity: We will actively seek out and work with LGBTQI+ owned or led businesses, as well as suppliers who are supportive of LGBTQI+ rights, as part of our supplier diversity efforts.

4. Advocacy and Engagement: We will use our platform to advocate for the rights of the LGBTQI+ community within the maritime industry and beyond. This includes engaging with policymakers, participating in industry events and initiatives, and working with other organizations to promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity.

5. Reflect and Review: We will continuously reflect on our approaches to LGBTQI+ inclusion and will review them as necessary so that they are up-to-date and fit for purpose.

Your Commitment

By signing this declaration, you commit to upholding these principles within your organisation and contributing to a more inclusive maritime industry for all LGBTQI+ professionals.