LGBTGreat News Digest

 

Issue 99 - Monday, 21st September 2026 "The future of inclusion will not be shaped by certainty, but by the choices leaders make when certainty is absent." Welcome to the News Digest - your concise briefing on the five LGBTQ+ stories shaping workplace conversations around the world, trusted by more than 11,000 readers. Issue 100 is just around the corner! Last week, Lloyds Banking Group and LGBT Great brought together senior leaders from across organisations to explore the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion internationally. The day generated valuable insight and contributes to our broader and forthcoming Leading in 2030 thought leadership report, launching on 10 November. To register your interest in the findings, please contact: info@lgbtgreat.com

Your Three Weekly Updates

1 – The US Community Exchange | 22nd Sept  Join our exclusive US Community Exchange to exchange ideas, help influence new research, and contribute to the future of workplace inclusion. Register for The US Community Exchange 2 – The Scotland Community Exchange | 1st Oct Join our exclusive Community Exchange in Edinburgh, Scotland to exchange ideas, help influence new research, and contribute to the future of workplace inclusion. Register for The Scotland Community Exchange 3 - EHRC Briefing Workshop | Available Now As workplaces in the UK continue to respond to the evolving EHRC guidance, earlier this month, we delivered two practical briefings, providing leaders with clear, actionable insights and leadership support. Member organisations can benefit from tailored engagement in-house. If you're not a member yet and would like to learn more, please contact: info@lgbtgreat.com

Research Update: Inclusion Leadership for 2030

More Survey Data Collected. Since our last issue, we've been gathering fresh perspectives from leaders and practitioners across the workplace. Three key themes: the future of inclusion, the evolving role of employee resource groups, and how AI may shape culture, connection and belonging at work. We'd love to hear your perspective too.Take part by completing our short five-question survey. The full findings will be unveiled in our latest report, launching live at Do Something Great LIVE with our Headline Sponsor, Nomura. Stay tuned. We'll be sharing more very soon.

Take Part - Short 5 Question Survey

The 5 LGBTQ+ News Stories

1. UN Highlights Progress and Priorities for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the 2030 Agenda The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says the past decade has seen meaningful progress in LGBTQ+ inclusion through improved data collection, development planning and policy reform linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Examples include new inclusion indicators, expanded census data collection and the integration of LGBTQ+ priorities into national development plans. However, the UNDP warns that funding constraints, political pushback and weakening human rights commitments could slow progress towards the 2030 Agenda commitment to leave no one behind. Our View Employers should align workplace policies, practices and inclusion programmes with the UN Strategy on Protecting LGBTIQ+ People from Violence and Discrimination. Doing so strengthens accountability, supports the Sustainable Development Goals and helps create safer, more inclusive workplaces. LGBT Great members are currently completing the 2027 iiBT Accreditation Framework, helping organisations benchmark progress, strengthen accountability and align with recognised international standards. If you're not a member yet and would like to learn more about the Framework, please contact: info@lgbtgreat.com

2. Turkey Expands Enforcement Action Against LGBTQ+ Organisations Turkish authorities have detained at least 63 people following raids on LGBTQ+ organisations, activists’ homes and businesses in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Mersin. The operation, titled “My Family is Safe”, is investigating 162 individuals, nine associations and 13 businesses. Authorities state the action is intended "to protect children, family structures and public order". Our View This development highlights how quickly political changes can affect LGBTQ+ communities and, in turn, workplace experiences. As discussed at our recent event with Lloyds Banking Group, the Embassy Model helps organisations build visible networks of support when external events create uncertainty. The Embassy Model provides organisations with a practical framework for visible allyship, trusted support networks and community resilience during periods of external uncertainty. Employers should recognise these impacts and ensure affected employees can access trusted networks, resources and support systems when and wherever needed.

3. Hungary Signals Policy Change on Adoption Rights for Same-Sex Couples Hungary’s government plans to amend a 2020 law that largely restricted adoption to married couples, requiring single applicants to obtain ministerial approval. The proposed changes would remove barriers that have limited adoption opportunities for many same-sex couples. The move reflects a broader shift in LGBTQ+ policy following a change in government after Viktor Orbán lost office in the April 2026 parliamentary elections, ending 16 years as Prime Minister. Under the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, the government has since introduced legislation to remove anti-LGBTQ+ provisions from national law and align more closely with EU human rights standards. Our View In April 2026, the European Court of Justice ruled that Hungary’s 2021 anti-LGBTQ+ legislation breached fundamental EU principles, including human dignity and non-discrimination. For Employers, this development underscores how quickly legal and social environments can evolve when political priorities change, and the need to be ready to respond effectively.  Employers operating in Hungary should review family-related policies, benefits and support programmes to ensure they remain inclusive and compliant. We also recommend proactive community awareness and engagement, anchored in organisational values and supported by visible leadership, to help colleagues navigate change confidently and respectfully.

4. Bulgaria’s Top Court Backs Legal Gender Recognition for Trans People Bulgaria’s Supreme Court of Cassation has ruled that the government must allow trans people to change their name and gender markers on official identity documents, following a landmark judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Union. The decision reverses the practical impact of a 2023 ruling that restricted legal recognition and ends a long-running legal challenge. Advocacy groups are now calling for a clear statutory process to be introduced in Bulgarian law. Our View This ruling is a welcome win for trans inclusion in Europe, strengthening legal certainty for trans people and reinforcing the influence of EU equality and free movement principles on national legislation. For Employers, accurate identity documentation is closely linked to workplace inclusion, recruitment, benefits administration and employee records. Employers operating across Europe should review policies and systems to ensure they support employees through legal identity changes with dignity, consistency and privacy. To find out more about how you can support transitioning colleagues, download our Toolkit here.

5. Report Highlights Growing Inequalities Facing Older LGBTQ+ People A new report from the Centre for Ageing Better finds that older LGBTQ+ people face persistent inequalities in housing, financial security, health, social connection and access to care. The report highlights concerns about discrimination, isolation and inclusive service provision, alongside significant gaps in national data on later-life LGBTQ+ experiences. It also notes that the number of older LGBTQ+ people is increasing rapidly, creating an urgent need for better evidence, policy responses and inclusive services that reflect the diversity of ageing experiences. Our View As workforces age and more people choose or need to work later in life, Employers should pay closer attention to the intersection of age, sexual orientation and gender identity. The findings reinforce why inclusion strategies must consider the full employee lifecycle, from career progression and financial wellbeing to retirement planning. Through our joint research programme with Older Queer Voices, The Missing Picture, we are helping to build on this evidence by exploring the lived experiences of older LGBTQ+ people that are often missing from national and workforce data. You can support the project by taking part in the survey and sharing their experiences. Take Part

Upcoming Events to Connect

The US Community Exchange 2026 Bringing together employee community leaders, members and sponsors in a v... Sep 22, 2026 (11:00 - 11:45) (GMT-4)   The Scotland Community Exchange 2026 LGBT Great in Partnership with BlackRock Oct 1, 2026 (17:30 - 20:00) (GMT+1) BlackRock Scotland, United Kingdom

Looking Ahead

Where are your people experiencing uncertainty beyond the workplace, and what evidence do they have that your organisation is a source of support, stability and belonging?

If you’d like to reflect on the themes in this Digest or explore how your organisation can get involved, contact us at info@lgbtgreat.com The next issue of the News Digest will be published on Monday 5th October.

About LGBT Great  LGBT Great is an award-winning global B2B platform. We bring organisations together to spark new possibilities and help LGBTQ+ people, their colleagues and communities to feel seen, valued and part of something bigger at work. Because when your people prosper, everyone thrives. www.lgbtgreat.com