North East is most gay friendly place to work

Lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall, has named a North East company Britain's best employer for gay staff.

Sunderland based housing firm Gentoo took top spot in 2014’s poll.

Peter Walls, Chief Executive of Gentoo, says it's about making employees feel comfortable in the workplace.

South Shields dance teacher, Stuart Hatton, says he is not surprised to hear the North East has been named the most gay friendly place to work. Stuart, who is Mr Gay UK 2014, puts it down to the people in the region making the effort to get to know one another.

Stonewall has named the North East the most gay friendly place to work after eight of the region's companies made it into the top 100 and two in the top ten.

• 1st - Gentoo
• 8th - Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service
• 25th - Newcastle City Council
• 30th - Your Homes Newcastle
• Joint 72nd - Northumbria Probation Trust and South Tyneside Homes
• 96th County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust
• 100th Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust

Stonewall has named the North East the most gay friendly place to work based a questionnaire filled out by almost 10,000 people.

369 employers took part in the research, and 9,735 people answered questions about whether or not they are open about their sexual orientation at work.

They were also asked about the culture of the organisation they work for and if it is inclusive, as well as if their heterosexual colleagues are aware of LGBT issues.

The North East region had eight employers in the top 100 and two in the top ten.