Three positive news stories: September week 1

Across the globe, LGBTQ+ equality has taken meaningful steps forward this week – from workplace inclusion in the UK, to political representation in Brazil, to legal recognition of same‑sex families in Poland.

As reported by myGwork, these three stories show how change is being driven simultaneously in business, politics and the law, with concrete gains for queer visibility, safety and rights.

British LGBT Awards 2026 shortlist

The 2026 British LGBT Awards shortlist shines a spotlight on myGwork partner organizations that are turning commitments into action for LGBTQ+ inclusion at work.

From trailblazing leaders like Awin’s Alexandra Parmar‑Yee and Reckitt’s Eleonore Murauer, to inclusive campaigners and future leaders at Booking.com, Capgemini and Lewis Silkin LLP, individuals are reshaping how businesses support trans and queer colleagues, embed DEI into strategy and champion inclusive recruitment.

Networks and ERGs such as DLA Piper’s Iris, JLL’s Building Pride and MSD’s Rainbow Alliance are recognised for building communities that celebrate, educate and collaborate year‑round. Inclusive Company nominees including Skyscanner and Virgin Media O2 demonstrate how policy, culture and data‑driven DEI can work together to create workplaces where LGBTQ+ people feel safe, visible and valued.

Law firms Clifford Chance and RPC are highlighted for aligning legal excellence with LGBTQ+ advocacy and pro bono work, while business allies at Moody’s and Omnicom Media Group UK show how senior leaders can use their influence to shift culture across sectors.

Together, these nominations underline a shared message: sustained collaboration between leaders, ERGs, legal experts and brands is transforming workplaces into more equitable, representative environments for LGBTQ+ people.

Check out the full story here.

Brazil’s 2026 elections see historic surge in LGBTQ+ candidates

As Brazil prepares for its 4 October 2026 general election, a record number of openly LGBTQ+ candidates is reshaping the country’s political landscape. According to VoteLGBT, more than 500 openly queer candidates are standing for office – a surge of nearly 60% compared with 2022, even as the overall number of candidates has dropped.

These candidates are running across a wide range of parties and positions, from local and state-level roles to federal office. For LGBTQ+ advocates, this visibility marks a powerful shift in political participation, especially in a regional context where far‑right rhetoric has gained ground.

By bringing queer lived experience directly into legislatures and policy debates, this wave of candidates is expected to strengthen efforts to address hate crimes, inclusive healthcare, education, and workplace equality. The increase signals that more Brazilians feel able to seek office without hiding who they are, offering a hopeful example of civic engagement and community organizing in the face of hostility.

Read more about this historic election moment here.

Poland recognizes foreign same-sex marriages in civil records, signaling shift in LGBTQ+ rights

Poland has begun officially transcribing same‑sex marriages performed abroad into its civil registry, in a development celebrated by LGBTQ+ advocates as a concrete – if partial – win for equality.

New standardized marriage forms now allow civil registry offices to record unions between two women or two men, alongside heterosexual marriages. This change follows rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union and Poland’s Supreme Administrative Court, which held that authorities must recognize same‑sex marriages legally concluded in other EU states.

Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski hailed the reforms as ending years of “administrative fiction,” where spouses were misgendered or left in limbo on official documents. While domestic law still does not allow same‑sex marriage, the new rules are a significant step forward for recognition of same‑sex families in areas such as residence rights, documentation and access to certain administrative protections.

The move comes amid ongoing political division and local pushback, but for many couples it delivers immediate, practical security and dignity – and signals that legal and administrative practice in Poland is slowly edging closer to genuine equality.

Find out more about this legal milestone here.

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