Joanna Plane, senior team manager in customer service at Axa Health, speaks to Health & Protection about their experience as a non-binary gay person in the sector, coming out twice and the importance of the sector adopting more inclusive language for TQ+ employees in particular.
What have been your own experiences with regard to attitudes towards LGBTQ+ communities in the sector?
Back in the 2000s when I started in the sector, I was determined to keep my sexuality to myself after an horrendous experience with a previous employer outside of the industry.
However, a colleague took some time to sensitively ask me some questions after seeing me with my partner during a lunch break, and the way that he handled the conversation completely changed my mind. I thought, “maybe this industry is different?”
Since that day, my experience has been hugely positive, and I feel so honoured to be a role model for others who might need a positive, open role model to see that it is okay to “come out”.
How have attitudes evolved in the sector?
Attitudes are always evolving and shifting when it comes to any minority community, and in the case of LGBTQ+ in the health insurance sector I feel that we have come a long way. Seeing products being developed for gender dysphoria sufferers for example is one of the key highlights for me in the healthcare sector.
It tells me that we are inclusive, that the people who need our support matter, and that makes me feel so encouraged that we are adapting with the needs of our customers. All of our customers, not just “cis” customers.
What is the sector doing well and where does it need to up its game?
I think the LGB part of LGBTQ+ has evolved well, and inclusivity is at its best. For the TQ+ employees there need to be more inclusive language, more inclusive terminology and less assumptions about gender from seeing a name or looking at a person.
Of course, this goes along with the rest of society, and I am confident that one day I will think to myself “I haven’t seen an email addressed as ‘hello ladies’ for months” – this is my biggest hurdle at the moment.
Do you feel encouraged and enabled to bring your whole self to work?
From coming out as gay when I first entered the sector, to coming out as non-binary two years ago, I have absolutely felt that this is a safe place to be me.
I tend to have to correct gender pronouns regularly, but I don’t ever feel bad about that, or that I shouldn’t be doing so.
The company have developed a great internal e-learning module called “exploring the B and T in LGBT” , which I was honoured to be a part of, and there is also a module on inclusive language. To me it tells me that inclusivity is paramount.
I’d love for everyone to feel that they can bring 100% of themselves to work, regardless of any differentiating factor. It’s our different experience and outlooks which make us stronger as a team, department, company, and sector.
