Some of the biggest names in technology joined forces to launch a new LGBT group for London’s tech sector
Google and Microsoft might be known as bitter enemies on the tech-front, but the two giants came together to launch the Intertech Diversity Forum, at the London headquarters of Skype.
The group’s founding members include Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Dell, Nokia, BAE Systems, Accenture, Avanade, Ertl Design, Made by Many, Clarity PR, PinkNews and Stonewall.
A number of London’s tech startups also attended the evening. The group is free to join and are already planning their next event in September.
The InterTech name was inspired by similar existing LGBT organisations including InterLaw, which brings together LGBT workers from the legal professions.
Andrew Sinclair, the General Manager of Skype told InterTech members:
“We have a great history of building diversity within our workforce. In fact in 1989, Microsoft was one of the first big global companies that gave same-sex domestic partners benefits and to have diversity policies around gender identity. It’s something that we’re very proud of and something that we have been driving for such a long time.”
Andrew MacAlpine, the co-chairman of InterTech reflected on his experiences at Google:
“Being gay at Google is a non-issue because you are given the freedom to be yourself. I would love for InterTech to empower and enable other LGBT+ people to replicate that type of environment in their own work place.”
The event raised £1750 including an £850 donation by Google for AllOut, the LGBT campaigning charity.
The next meeting of InterTech with the theme ‘Talk Nerdy to Me’, will be on the 4th September at Google’s Soho office.