Best Inclusion Practices - LGBT Diversity

Citation

David Nilsson (2016), "Best Inclusion Practices - LGBT Diversity", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 75-76. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-01-2016-0005

Best Inclusion Practices appears to be a hybrid text that is somewhat difficult to definitively categorise. The title seems to offer an enigmatic scope that may be open to multiple interpretations. The content in fact encompasses in-depth theoretical analysis of LGBT and diversity issues along with discussion of potential organisational and business applications.

The book is presented in two parts: (1) LGBT Context – From Sin, Crime, and Sickness to Normalisation; and (2) LGBTs in Social Environments and at Work. The author recognises the additional roles of “Q” (Queer) and “I” (Intersex) but focuses her writing almost exclusively on “L” (Lesbian) and “G” (Gay), sporadically incorporating “T” (Transgender) and “B” (Bisexual) perspectives whilst acknowledging that these latter groups are less well researched.

The contextualisation provided in Part 1 embraces a very broad range of perspectives and theories including the conceptualisation of identity and diversity, wide-ranging historical perspectives on homosexuality, examinations of homophobia and coming-out, the more recent development of new family models, and the role of culture and various forms of media in changing levels of awareness and acceptance.

Part 2 builds upon this broad base examining the social contexts within which LGBT people grow, live and work. The experiences of family, school and work lives are discussed in relation to social policy and legislation in a variety of contexts, although primarily focusing on a comparative analysis between Spain and the USA wherein alternative examples are presented for their exemplary strengths. The final two chapters focus upon LGBT diversity in companies in Spain, and a case-study on Spanish LGBT tourism.

Margarita Alonso is Director General of the IE Foundation at IE University I Spain. At the time of writing this book she was the Careers Director General and a member of the Executive Committee in the Business School at IE University. She was previously a co-founder of ieOut & Friends, a support group founded at this university by students for LGBT students, alumni, professionals and faculty. Alonso draws upon her experiences within a broad range of educational and business organisations to examine ways in which diversity, with a particular emphasis upon LGBT perspectives, may be utilised to enhance individual, organisational and societal functioning.

This book represents a courageous effort in attempting to collate and summarise an enormous amount of rich material covering LGBT knowledge and experience not only from Spain but also from many other parts of the world. Whilst it would be an impossible endeavour to sum up the entire history and development of LGBT issues globally, Alonso does succeed in deftly selecting and drawing upon key developments in Spain and other significant western societies such as the USA and Great Britain to illustrate how positive changes have occurred over time and may be further facilitated.

This text is particularly well supported by rigorous research and attempts to balance deeper theoretical analysis with grounded “real-life” examples. It is not entirely clear however to whom this book is primarily aimed as the complexity of the critical analysis and academic terminology within many sections may be somewhat challenging for those not usually immersed in academia. Also, some of the phraseology is at times a bit stilted but this well be as a result of the translation into English.

The earlier chapters are particularly rich with historical, philosophical, psychological, sociological, and literary references but the density of some of this discussion requires a certain level of dedication and commitment to traverse. In order to fully integrate the insights and linkages between such a complex ranges of perspectives, a high level of reader motivation would seem necessary. An emic “insiders” understanding and appreciation of “L” and “G” lived-experience may assist with this and reward the reader with additional insights into their own experiential world but etic “outsiders” persistence will also be richly rewarded with much new valuable knowledge and insight into diversity.

The latter chapters suggest that a key intended audience is business people and those within organisational managerial roles (or perhaps business and marketing students also) so that they may improve strategic positioning in human resources to attract and retain diverse staff, and to enable businesses or organisations to more effectively market to diverse and niche consumer groups. A number of key principles for working effectively with diversity are examined within these chapters supported by case examples. Even though these examples are primarily within Spanish contexts, it is clear that they have application within a broader global context although the author warns that contextual legislative and political differences need to be fully taken into account.

One area that this text unfortunately does not directly explore is the experiences of older LGBT people. Given the aforementioned key focus on organisational and business life, discussion appears to be limited to working age individuals and retirement needs are therefore not addressed.

One of the challenges of such an expansive endeavour as this is as always the ubiquitous “breadth versus depth” question. Alonso has managed to incorporate a significant level of “depth” within the contextualising Part 1, and the inclusion of international comparisons strengthens the applicability of this book within a global context. Her analysis also highlights many critical cultural and societal aspects of diversity which can become overlooked within prevailing hegemony. As a book of two parts however, the second part providing application to business and organisational settings seemed in comparison a bit “thinner”. The case example chapters comprised only 42 of the 188 discursive pages and it felt as if these could have been further expanded upon with even more concrete examples. These chapters might however form the basis of a subsequent text aimed even more exclusively and instructionally at business and organisational development.

As a person “of a certain age”, I particularly appreciated the discussion of events over recent decades against which I could compare my own international lived-experience. I was also able to draw direct relevance to my current working life within the higher education sector, identifying numerous potential applications at organisational and teaching levels.

Overall, this is an enlightening text which provides a timely reminder of the enormous advances that have been achieved in recent history and of the continuing fast pace of change. It is also instructive in reminding us that positive change must be actively facilitated and guided. We cannot rest and rely upon previous activism – this is an ongoing project. Best Inclusion Practices – LGBT Diversity provides a valuable contribution to this endeavour.