New initiative launched to stamp out sexism, racism and homophobia in UK pubs

A new accreditation has been launched designed for UK pubs to ensure their customers don’t face discriminative abuse.

Prominent figures in the beer industry have called for a clampdown on breweries using sexist labels to market their products.

The Equality in Pubs Accreditation, which was launched at Imbibe Live on Tuesday 3 July, tackles discrimination from racism and sexism to homophobia by supplying pubs with window stickers and certification that show they have a zero-tolerance policy on abusive behaviour.

To keep the accreditation, pub staff are required to act on any instances of discriminatory behaviour on their premises.

“Social equality is a human right,” said TEPA founder Jessica Mason.

“Let the best pubs, bars and taprooms, run by the most accommodating, kind and friendly staff identify themselves and help all people remember that the value of pubs is as much what they represent as anything they serve across the bar.”

Mason has worked in partnership with the BBPA and the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) to launch a website dedicated to the accreditation, as well as organising a training scheme for staff working at pubs that wish to apply.

TEPA will be open for submissions from publicans from September 2018 where after a shortlist will be drawn up and the first accredited TEPA venues will be visited and mapped before the close of the year.

The news comes after a number of influential figures within the beer industry have attempted to shine a light on everyday examples discrimination in brewing, while new research has shown that members of the LGBT community still feel uncomfortable being open about their sexuality in public.

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) recently held a panel discussion titled “Marketing beer responsibly – Sexism, discrimination and branding in the beer industry” at BeerX, the group’s annual trade show based in Liverpool, while a similar debate was held at the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Manchester beer festival in February.

Regulatory body Portman Group announced in March that it was planning to review its own guidelines for alcohol marketing, which is likely to result in the introduction of specific rules that address “serious and widespread offence, such as sexism in marketing.”

A survey published by the UK government this week found that over two thirds (68%) of respondents said they had avoided holding hands in public with a same-sex partner.

A further 70% said they have avoided being open about their sexuality in public for fear of a negative reaction.

Mason’s initiative is focused on discrimination which takes place in the on-trade.

TEPA stickers will be displayed on participating pub’s fronts towards the end of the year. (Photo: TEPA)

She has partnered with Studio Novello to design the logo for TEPA stickers, which are to be displayed outside pub windows later this year.

“The hand shape is representative of the venue being interested in all people irrespective of race, gender or sexuality,” she said in an emailed statedment.

“Really, a reminder that we are all human and need to remember that, irrespective of our differences, we are equal as people.”