Barclays to sponsor gay and lesbian networking event

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • June 30, 2008 - 11:16

The Village Drinks third annual summer party will be held on 29th July

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A major financial institution will sponsor the main summer event by professional gay networking group Village Drinks.

The organisers claim that the involvement of Barclays illustrates "the growing level of interest that the business community is taking in the gay market."

The Village Drinks third annual summer party will be held on 29th July at Café de Paris in London.

Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe, Head of Diversity at Barclays, said:

"Barclays are delighted to support the Village Drinks summer event and I am pleased that colleagues from across the Barclays group will be attending."

The theme of the event is a celebration of diversity in the workplace.

Barclays runs a national employee support network called Spectrum for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender staff.

Similar gay professional networks from across London, the UK and New York have been invited.

Greg Healey, Co-Founder of Village Drinks, said:

"Diversity is what makes us all different. It’s what makes us unique as individuals.

"We think that’s something worth celebrating. And we’re delighted that the good people at Barclays think so too."

Tickets to West End shows and the International Gay & Lesbian Football Association World Championship will be given away at the summer party.

The "gay World Cup" will be held in London in August.

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