In this podcast Charlotte Gamble-Stott talks about the Hold Tight campaign and working at ANZ.
Summary
This abstract summarizes an interview with Charlotte Gamble-Stott, recorded at the "Out in the Park" event in Waitangi Park, Te Aro, Wellington on February 24, 2018. The interview, conducted by Gareth Watkins, touches upon various themes, most notably the "Hold Tight" campaign and the workplace environment at ANZ Bank New Zealand, especially in the context of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The "Hold Tight" campaign is a significant initiative by ANZ aimed at combating the judgment and discrimination faced by individuals displaying public affection, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. The campaign emphasizes the message of perseverance and reassurance, encouraging people to continue expressing their love despite the possibility of negative reactions. This initiative responds to the commonplace experience of silent and overt judgment that individuals face while holding hands in public.
Charlotte Gamble-Stott shares a personal perspective on the acceptance and inclusivity encountered at ANZ. Following an internal announcement during the "Hold Tight" campaign, which sought to share experiences of marginalization and coming out, Gamble-Stott felt compelled to publicly come out as transgender to colleagues. The reception was unexpectedly positive, with an outpouring of support from both immediate supervisors and higher-ups within the company. The workplace environment at ANZ is depicted as proactive and supportive, with internal resources and personal reassurances from management that affirm the bank's commitment to its diverse workforce.
The significance of the "Out in the Park" event is also discussed. While Gamble-Stott personally feels well-supported and thus does not place exceptional personal importance on the event, there is an acknowledgment of the broader community impact. The event serves as a beacon of support and acceptance for others who may not experience the same level of everyday support. It is a chance to visibly stand with others and extend a message of love and recognition to those who are unable to attend.
In conveying advice to those who could not be present, Gamble-Stott emphasizes a message of love and inclusion that transcends physical attendance, affirming that absent members of the community are still loved and supported in spirit.
Overall, the recording captures a moment of celebration and solidarity at the "Out in the Park" event, alongside an introspective glance at the positive strides being made in corporate support for LGBTQ+ individuals through initiatives like the "Hold Tight" campaign. It also provides an example of how the corporate sector can act as a pillar of strength and acceptance for employees, enabling them to feel valued and integrated into their workplace culture.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
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