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Accelerating LGBTIQ+ equality in India

We foster a culture of LGBTIQ+ equality in India. Ensuring LGBTIQ+ inclusion in workplace emanates from our belief that equality drives innovation.

Celebrating the power of Pride, with pride!

At Accenture in India, our Pride Network and its allies have worked together to create a safe and inclusive space for all. We are recognized as a corporate leader that supports LGBTIQ+ employees alongside the broader LGBTIQ+ community.

We’ve come a long way on our journey towards LGBTIQ+ equality, but we know that Pride means more. More love, more acceptance, more opportunity and more innovation.

We continue to accelerate a culture of equality that enables all our people to advance and thrive through our robust internal programs, learning initiatives, policies and benefits. Our inclusive hiring practices mirrors our commitment to an equal workplace - one that inspires authenticity at work for all our people—including sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

A leading force for real change

Creating a workplace where everyone feels safe and empowered to innovate through our initiatives, policies and benefits. Our testament…Accenture in India was named as a Gold Employer for three years straight in the Stonewall India Workplace Equality Index.

Professional development programs including LGBTIQ+ Leaders Learning, Hues of the Rainbow and mentorship keeping in mind the Indian cultural and work context.

Inclusive policies and equal benefits, including up to 100% coverage for gender reassignment surgery under the Accenture Mediclaim benefits.

Recruitment, promotion and retention guidelines.

Providing all gender restrooms across all facilities.

LGBTIQ+ inclusion awareness through our Ally Network of 50000+ in India, and 119,000 LGBTIQ+ Allies in all countries in which we operate.

Professional development that promotes LGBTIQ+ equality.

Pride means more choice: Embracing agency and authenticity

Pride means more at Accenture—it represents a commitment to inclusivity, going beyond symbolism to create a workplace where everyone can authentically be themselves—with validation, agency and choice.

Zahara Fernandes
Managing Director – Accenture Operations and Pride Sponsor, Accenture India
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Meet Annith

People Program associate manager, Global Inclusion and Diversity Center of Expertise, Accenture in India

There was a time when my friends and colleagues constantly asked me why I wasn’t interested in getting married. I evaded these questions as I wasn’t ready to come out. Not yet. My mother still believes that homosexuality is a mental illness. I isolated myself and wanted to be invisible. From being a rather loud person, I became quieter. I relocated to a large city, so I’d get lost in the crowd. I found my voice finally, thanks to the unconditional acceptance I received from an ally—my supervisor at Accenture. She was the first person I came out to. Today, I am happy, visible and doing work I love.

Meet Shoaib

Shoaib, a Customer Service associate at Accenture and a proud transgender woman, is a leading example for companies who want to represent voices from across the spectrum. Shoaib has demonstrated that wearing your identity on your sleeve is not just a matter of Pride but helps them define who they really are to their core.

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Meet Melwyn Lobo

People Advisor manager, Accenture in India

Growing up, I didn’t have any answers regarding my sexuality. I constantly struggled to understand myself and fit in. After graduation, I joined Accenture Operations in Mumbai. I completed a year here and then enrolled in our XLRI HR Academy program to pursue a career in HR. I moved to Bengaluru where living alone turned me into a more confident and stronger person. Back in Mumbai, an acquaintance invited me to join a flash mob hosted by a local nonprofit to spread awareness about LGBTIQ+. The experience was a total eye-opener. I met so many amazing people from the community. I also met a colleague who introduced me to our ally group. This turned out to be the best step forward. Ever since, I’ve been an active member of the group—spreading awareness and educating young people on the importance of being inclusive.

Thanks to our Truly Human culture, I’ve been able to understand my sexuality, come out as gay, be my best self and build a great career.

Meet Sandeepta

Your gender doesn’t depend on your body, but on your mind.

I started struggling with my image at the age of 13. Hesitant and scared, I finally opened up to my parents at the age of 17. Since my family didn’t recognize my self-expression, I eventually moved out and focused on building my career. As I pursued animation film study from Kolkata, I researched a lot on gender and sexuality. This opened my eyes to the fact that I’m not alone. I decided I wanted to be identified as a woman. And self-acceptance became the most fulfilling part of my experience. Despite facing social discrimination, I followed every legal guideline to get my true identity. When I joined Accenture through a job fair in Bengaluru in 2019, I looked and lived like any other human. My colleagues embrace diversity and are receptive to my personality. I feel respected and I’m considered for the quality of my work and contributions—not my gender.

Equality is non-negotiable

We are committed to an equal workplace that respects the LGBTIQ+ community. One that inspires authenticity at work for all our people - including sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

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