Telstra people speak about how “it gets better”
Filed under: diversity, employees, It Gets Better Project
On 1 December 2008, Telstra’s employee network for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex employees was launched with a humble membership of 20 or so people. Three years later, at birthday celebrations held yesterday in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, the “Spectrum” network celebrated a membership of almost 300 – and took some steps to further build inclusion and acceptance, both at Telstra and beyond.
As well as celebrating the third birthday of this group, recognised as a leading network in Australia in the 2011 Australian Workplace Equality Index , Spectrum members launched a video, their contribution to a global campaign.
The video is part of an online movement, It Gets Better Project, which now has thousands of videos submitted online. The simple message is to reassure young people that they should never be worried about who they are because of their sexuality. While times may seem tough, the clips all bear the same message that “it gets better”.
There are many times throughout my career where I have thought how fortunate I have been to work at a great organisation like Telstra.
For me, each work environment I have been a part of has always been so accepting and inclusive of everyone.
Over the years I have worked in various parts of the organisation across three states and I have only ever found the people I work with to be friendly and inclusive.
I started at Telstra back in Adelaide while I was still studying at university. It was also the time when I was coming to terms with many things in my life: finishing my studies, kicking off my career and working out who I was.
It is always great having family and friends there for you when you need to chat through things or for support during the hard times.
What I never really expected was the support I received from my work colleagues. I recall one of the best moments at Telstra, back in Adelaide, when one of the women at work simply said to me: “You are Peter Habib. That is why we like you.”
Suddenly life seemed a whole lot better. Yes, indeed that is who I am and I should never be afraid of that.
It was moving watching the video yesterday, yet also heart warming. It is a powerful project for Telstra to not only support but also be part of.
You can find out more about Diversity & Inclusion at Telstra by visiting www.telstra.com.au/diversity
Also, Telstra customers with compatible mobile devices can buy a virtual Red Ribbon for $1.95 by sending via sms the word RED to 13 76 63, in support of the AIDS Trust of Australia.
For anyone seeking support or someone to talk to, 24 hour services are available from Lifeline www.lifeline.org.au 13 11 14
Our “It Gets Better” video is now live on our YouTube channel, or watch it below.
More information:
- It Gets Better Project
- It Gets Better YouTube Channel
- Diversity & inclusion at Telstra
- Australian Workplace Equality Index
- Lifeline
Great job guys – I have some friends and colleagues that took part in this and its good to see Telstra support this project!
A great video team! Well done to all who participated and shared their very personal stories. Credit also goes to Sam Andruszkiewicz for his always excellent production and editing. The value of Telstra’s corporate work in this area is underlined Peter your comment, that it was actually the thoughtful advice of a colleague that helped get you on track in those turbulent times in your youth. Given we spend so much time at work, there’s a lot of opportunity for the people we work with to either be supportive, or make us very unhappy! Knowing Telstra is so supportive in this area is great for the health and wellbeing of so many. I look forward to the day when all employers embrace the concept of an inclusive workplace.
Congratulations Telstra – Thanks for your support of this campaign
Thanks to all the people who shared their intimate stories. Its hard to open up the world and share your difficult past. As someone who was bullied at school I know the pain caused by people being mean and hurtful at a young age when school is everything and kids are at their cruelest.
I’m proud to work for a company like Telstra that supports diversity and encourages its staff to participate in projects like this. This was made with little budget and the participants filmed themselves from all across Australia on flipcams. This is truly a grass roots campaign.
It was a pleasure to edit and we were inundated with nearly an hour worth of stories so stay tuned for some more amazing stories from Telstra staff.
This video was fantastic! Well done Telstra
I personally know Matty and was thrilled to see him speaking up. Huge thumbs up!
WOW. Brilliant video Sam and team, well done to everyone involved, love it.
I feel so proud to work for a great company well done Telstra and its an awesome video .. Well done all involved … Julie
What an honour to share in your stories. What an authentically beautiful piece. My tears flow not just for the sadness experienced but more for the joy in hearing that it gets better. Thanks again and well done to all involved.
I have experienced a great sense of pride in watching and listening to the very personal messages on this film. Thank you for allowing me to work in a great company and well done to Telstra for this project.
I was at the launch of this last night in Brisbane and it was such a experience to be a part of this special campaign. I feel so proud of being gay and proud that I work for an employer that embraces equlaity and says that it does matter!! Great job by all involved and especially to Matty & Teresa who featured from good old Bris Vegas!! Well done!!!
Congratulations to everyone involved in this – especially for those brave people telling their personal stories. I’m quite proud to work at a company which supports their people, from all backgrounds. Love to you all.
I can’t thank Telstra enough for their support given to there GLBTI staff and cant thank them enough for the opportunity they gave me to be in this video
so thank you to Telstra and everyone involved to make this video something special on how they represent themselves and their staff
Well Done
Ash
I’m completely “straight” myself and don’t expect this to ever change, but I have a couple of number of close friends (including some former and current Telstra emplyees) that are gay.
To see one of Australia’s biggest companies and one of the biggest telecommunications companies in the world taking such a bold step to support their gay employees is incredibly touching and fills me with pride… It’s the sort of thing that reminds me of why I hold Telstra so close to my heart, and why Telstra will always be number one.
Yes this is a controversial move, particularly in these troubling times when there is often heated debate about this very topic within the community, but Telstra has taken a firm stance in representing equality throughout the community and it is something that we should be seeing more of.
The embedded video above was moving and inspiring… I wasn’t expecting something like this, but I am filled with pride and look forward to the continuation of this product.
To those that are gay and cop crap over it, ignore it and stay strong… There’s a whole world of support out there for you, even in the “straight” community and just because your choices in lifestyle are not something I agree with, doesn’t mean that you should be treatd any differently to how I like to be treated!
Good work Telstra, good work.
Telstra people speak about how “it gets better”
For a moment I thought you were referring to the bloated charges and costs Telstra ‘customers’ are slugged with…