Hannelore Bennett, Application Support Analyst at CGI in the UK, has a wonderfully diverse background which has shaped her perspective on inclusivity and support within the workplace.
She spoke to myGwork about her personal journey with the LGBTQIA community, reflecting on how her understanding has evolved over the years, especially through her relationships with friends and family. In her role at CGI, she champions an inclusive environment that embraces diversity, and she highlights the company’s efforts to support LGBTQIA employees.
Could you tell us a bit about your background and career journey leading up to your current position at CGI?
I’m English, although my husband and son say I’m honorary Welsh now. I used to be an English teacher, studied English and Classical Studies at University and now work for CGI as an Application Support Analyst. I consider myself to be a TCK (Third Culture Kid) because I grew up in a culture not my own. I call myself a jack of all trades and a fount of useless/useful knowledge. I’ve dabbled with sound and lighting for school shows and community events, helped friends build circuit boards (even had the burns to prove it) and done all sorts of things over the years.
Can you tell us about your childhood? Where did you grow up and did you have any hobbies?
I grew up in the Middle East in Saudi Arabia, I went to a British school and lived on a housing compound with mostly American families from Texas and Boston. In fact, for the first 16 years of my life, I sounded like a “Yank” and even now I have a trace of an accent.
I’ve always been a reader (and got told off numerous times at school for reading when I should have been doing maths), I enjoy knitting, crocheting and all sorts of other crafts. I enjoy skating and hope to get out more once the weather gets warmer. My little one and I love hunting for sea-glass and going to the beach.
I enjoy a good quiz, play video-games and love with chat to people. I enjoy going out dancing and drinking with my friends and have been known to go to the occasional ice hockey game – Let’s Go Devils!
Can you share your personal journey with the LGBTQIA community?
Growing up in the Middle East, there wasn’t much exposure to the LGBTQIA community. I remember first reading Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonrider of Pern series and being a bit confused by what I initially thought was a typo regarding a character’s gender. It was only when I re-read the previous pages, it clicked. After that, I became more and more aware of the community around me. When I was studying A-Levels and then at university, my exposure to the community grew again. When a friend asked if I would be ok with him bringing a boyfriend to my wedding, I was more concerned with him being happy than what gender his partner was.
I’ve had several friends share with me over the years that they were bi, gay or queer, and it was when my nibling started sharing with me how they felt about girls and their own gender explorations that I became more involved with the community. I was the one of the first adults in their life they told when they identified as bi, and then non-binary. It’s been amazing watching them grow into the person they are. They’re amazing, having dealt with pediatric cancer, coming out recently to the rest of the family and now smashing it at Uni where they run their own Pole Dancing Society. I can’t wait to see what else they’re going to do in their life and will always be one of their biggest fans.
What has been a standout moment in your career so far?
I don’t think I’ve got any standout moments; every part of my career has had its highs and lows. While some people have striven to be “high-flyers” I’ve always been happiest being a “cog” – assisting others as they need, being a supporter/ally or even just a shoulder to lean on.
How does CGI strive for inclusivity and provide an open space for LGBTQIA employees?
CGI does its best to make the workspace inclusive, we have a variety of networks that you can join as an ally or as a member of that community. We host events and learning opportunities to educate people on the diversity of our colleagues. As a network, we’re there to support colleagues however they need us, whether it’s just by making our presence felt in the office or “standing up” to support them at events.
Throughout your career, have you noticed any developments in attitudes towards the importance of diversity and inclusion?
Before I became more actively involved with the LGBTQIA community, I never really thought about the importance of diversity and inclusion. I naively believed that the more people came out the more attitudes and acceptance would change. I didn’t understand how much more there is to “coming out”. I have noticed, recently, that if people “come out” in traditional ways – bi, gay, lesbian there is more acceptance. When people identify as non-binary or queer, that’s when attitudes are more confrontational.
Educating people, of any age, helps them to understand the diversity of the world around them. The more we understand, the more we break down the walls excluding others. I wish I could wave a magic wand to make people understand that most people just want to be able to live their lives without fear of attack or abuse. That the LGBTQIA agenda is purely to be able to exist as any other cisgender heterosexual person. But even that is naïve. All we can do, especially as allies, is keep educating people and pushing to make work/school/life more inclusive.
What immediate improvements would you like to see being made for LGBTQIA equality in the future – both in the workplace and wider society?
I’d love to see people accepted for who they are, and no one bats an eyelid or feels threatened by this. But the world doesn’t work like that. So, I would love to see more people stand up to bigotry, ageism and racism.
This article was originally written by Dylan Mann-Hazell for MyGWork https://mygwork.com/news/cgis-hannelore-bennett-on-why-we-need-to-stand-up-for-lgbtq-rights and DIVA Magazine https://diva-magazine.com/2025/02/24/hannelore-bennett-mygwork/
