The North East is the most gay friendly place to work according to gay rights group, Stonewall.
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.
– Stuart Hatton, Mr Gay UK"People get to know each other in the North East. Colleagues become more than just people you work with, they become your friends. It means the workplace is more than just somewhere you turn up to, you go there to get to know people. Sexuality becomes just another part of who that person is and not a defining characteristic."
"Employers must be aware that it takes people from all walks of life to create a good business. It is so important to consider diversity now. Environments we work in should represent a cross section of where we live."
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.
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.