- AustraliaEnglish
- BelgiumDutchFrench
- BrasilPortuguese
- BulgariaBulgarian
- CanadaEnglish
- Greater ChinaSimplified ChineseTraditional Chinese
- CzechCzech
- FinlandFinnish
- FranceFrench
- Germany (Global)GermanEnglishFrenchSpanish
- GreeceGreek
- HungaryHungarian
- IndiaEnglish
- ItalyItalian
- IrelandEnglish
- JapanJapanese
- IsraelHebrew
- KoreaKorean
- LuxembourgFrench
- MalaysiaMalaysian
- MexicoSpanish
- Middle East & AfricaEnglish
- NetherlandsDutch
- PolandPolish
- PortugalPortuguese
- RomaniaRomanian
- SlovakiaCzech
- SpainSpanish
- South AmericaSpanish
- South AsiaEnglish
- South East AsiaEnglish
- SwedenSwedish
- ThailandThai
- TurkeyTurkish
- UkraineUkrainian
- United KingdomEnglish
- United States of AmericaEnglish
We are the Queer Network at SMA
We are queer people and allies. We want to create a pleasant working environment not only, but especially, for queer people and enable them to deal with their identity as they wish – free from constraints and hiding
On the one hand, we see ourselves as a point of contact for queer people to discuss topics, exchange experiences and network. At the same time, however, we are also working on identifying and implementing improvements in other areas of the company. To do this, we work closely with Diversity Management, among others.
We support in the process of coming out at work and offer advice to teams that want to foster an inclusive atmosphere. We are also connected with other companies and stakeholders in the region.
Our Principles
Respect
When dealing with each other, we want to treat ourselves and others with respect. Regardless of identity and level of knowledge, we demand and promote respectful communication.
Acceptance
Acceptance is important to us, because especially as part of a minority in society, it is not a matter of course for many of us. In order to have respectful conversations as equals, we have to accept each other and not judge each other's identities.
Self-empowerment
As a person in the LGBT*IQ+ community, you are often forgotten or not seen – especially since not so long ago it was still disreputable to even publicly identify as such. To counteract this hiddenness, we want to encourage all queer people to be able to show themselves joyfully and proudly.
Our activities
We continuously develop our activities and ideas based on our interests and topics that we see for ourselves and SMA.
It started with a lecture by Ingo Bertram (Netzwerk MORE* von Otto) in 2021, which was an inspiring starting signal for the network that was formed shortly afterwards.
We organize keynotes on topics such as allyship, trans* at work and queer in the solar industry.
Within SMA, we publish articles to sensitize and inform other employees, such as the experiences of a trans* person on the trans* day of visibility or the Self-Determination Act.
For Pride Month every year, we hang the Progress Flag on the SMA car park and organize further visibility campaigns.
We also take part in internal SMA celebrations such as the summer party or Sustainability Week, for example with information stands or button campaigns.
In addition, on our initiative, various companies and stakeholders have networked regionally and, for example, made activities visible during Pride under the umbrella of ‘Open to Diversity’.
In addition to our organization meetings, we also regularly go to the canteen together or meet in the evening to eat together and exchange ideas.
Contact
Do you have any questions, or would you like to get in touch with the queer network? Please write an email to queer@sma.de.