Defend Gay Muslim:March 16.Ldn

From: 'OutRage!News Service'
Date: Mar 14 2005, 09:56 AM

Protest 16 March: Defend Gay Muslim

Deutsche Bank accused of racism and homophobia

You are invited to join this Wednesday’s protest to support a
victimised gay Muslim bank employee, Sid Saeed, who has lodged a claim
against one of the world’s biggest financial institutions, Deutsche
Bank. He is alleging racist and homophobic harassment (full details
below).

Wednesday 16 March 2005
8am sharp
Great Eastern Hotel
Liverpool Street (50 yards from the corner with Bishopsgate)
London EC2
Nearest tube and rail station: Liverpool Street (100 yards away,
around the corner)

The protest is timed to coincide with a major conference organised by
Deutsche Bank, involving chief executives and directors from some of
the biggest-name companies in Britain and Europe. The aim of the
protest is to expose and shame Deutsche Bank in front of some of their
most important business partners. The media will be alerted. We expect
good coverage.

Through this adverse publicity, it is hoped that Deutsche Bank (and
other city finance houses) will be pressured to ensure they have
effective equal opportunities policies, including a zero tolerance
policy towards racist and homophobic harassment.

Please join us to show solidarity with gay Muslim, Sid Saeed. Winning
this battle will not only help secure justice for Sid, but also help
ensure a safer, fairer workplace for others too.

The protest is being organised by Sid’s family, with the support of
the National Union of Students, the Student’s Union at SOAS, and the
queer rights group OutRage!

Further information:

Nimo Saeed – 0777 16 44 448
Brett Lock – 0770 843 5917

BRIEFING

Gay Muslim fights bank harassment

Battle against racist and homophobic victimisation

LONDON – March 2005

A gay Muslim employee has bought a claim of racial victimisation and
homophobic harassment against the London division one of the world’s
biggest financial institutions, the German conglomerate, Deutsche
Bank.

Mr Sid Saeed, whose parents settled in Britain from Pakistan, was a
city high flier. As futures and options business manager, he rose to
become vice-president of Deutsche Bank’s global exchange services
division, based in the Square Mile.

Mr Saeed claims that in 2001 he began to be subjected to racist and
homophobic abuse by senior managers. He alleges they called him a
“fucking fag” and “gay boy”, made abusive remarks about “shit
stabbers”, and said “not only is Sid a Paki, but he’s a queer.”

Some of these claims have already been verified in a previous
investigation and others will be confirmed by witnesses who are
scheduled to testify on Mr Saeed’s behalf.

Coinciding with this abuse, his meteoric rise in the company suddenly
stalled. With his prestigious career falling part, Mr Saeed had a
nervous breakdown, sank into a deep depression, attempted suicide four
times and had to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

A report on Mr Saeed’s case alleges that three days after he made his
complaints about the harassment he had suffered, Deutsche Bank cut all
funding for his treatment, resulting in his sudden discharge from the
psychiatric hospital where he was receiving care.

Deutsche Bank deny the accusations against them and are contesting Mr
Saeed’s legal action.

This is the first claim against a city firm under the new laws
prohibiting homophobic discrimination in the workplace.

Mr Saeed is being advised and supported by gay human rights group
OutRage!, which is planning a campaign against Deutsche Bank if the
case is not satisfactorily resolved.

“The equal opportunities policy of Deutsche Bank appears to be in
effectual and unenforced,” said Brett Lock of OutRage!

“These allegations suggest a culture of corporate indifference to
racist and homophobic harassment.

“We hope this legal action will be a warning to other big city firms
that tolerating anti-gay and anti-black victimisation in the workplace
is illegal and unacceptable in a civilised society.

“It is in Deutsche Bank’s interest to ensure that all its employees
feel respected and secure. Racial and sexual orientation harassment
undermine staff morale and damage a company’s public reputation, which
is bad for business.

“OutRage! is willing to advise Deutsche Bank on ensuring its equal
opportunities policy has effective mechanisms for enforcement and
redress,” said Mr Lock.

Mr Saeed is being represented by Mark Emery, a specialist in
employment law at Bindman and Partners Solicitors (020 7833 4433).

Further information:

Brett Lock and Peter Tatchell, OutRage! 0770 843 5917

ENDS
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