Celebrating Pride month within the workplace can be achieved whether working back in the office or from home, and is important to help staff to feel that the workplace is a safe place for self-expression. It sends the message that your company upholds values of inclusion and diversity, is committed to fighting for equality and against discrimination. Below are 10 ways that your company can celebrate during this Pride month:
- Establish yourself as an ally and ensure your company culture is aligned with diversity & inclusivity
Celebrating pride within the workplace is not just about changing your company logos to a rainbow flag, but about actively ensuring that equality is integrated into your company culture. Pride is a great time to review your company’s policies and standards to ensure they are inclusive and supportive of all staff. For example, this might mean working with HR to ensure procedures protect all employees, ensuring equal benefits to same sex couples, or it could mean establishing a company culture that calls out offensive or discriminatory language when heard.
2. Organise educational events
An important part of celebrating pride is becoming educated on matters such as the history of LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health repercussions of LGBTQ+ discrimination. Holding virtual events such as webinars and hiring a virtual guest speaker can be a great way to educate staff on these topics. More resources for learning about the history of LGBTQ+ rights can be found here.
3. Virtual pride-themed happy hour with bingo and trivia
Learning about and celebrating pride can also be done through hosting fun events such as a virtual happy hour where staff take part in a virtual “night out”. This can include pride-based trivia quizzes and bingo. Equally, staff can be directed to other virtual pride events and these can be added to the company calendar.
4. Support LGBTQ+ businesses
This Pride month, why not ensure your company is supporting the LGBTQ+ community by purchasing products and services from LGBTQ+ businesses. You can find such businesses here.
5. Start an online book club
One great way to honour pride month, learn more about LGBTQ+ individuals experiences and start the discussion of LGBTQ+ rights is by organising a book club that focuses on books written by LGBTQ+ authors. Penguin recommends books such as: “We are everywhere” by Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown, and “On Earth we’re briefly gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong. See more recommendations here.
6. Organise a watch party
If the book club isn’t for everyone, try organising a watch party. Here, staff can all virtually watch and discuss films that celebrate the LGBTQ+ experience. Buzzfeed have created a list of suggestions which include such films as: “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” and “Moonlight”. See more suggestions here.
7. Set up or promote an employee resource group
Employee resource groups can provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ employees to offer support, exchange ideas and show solidarity. While reviewing company policy during Pride, your company might want to consider introducing a resource group, or promoting a larger employee resource group within your industry if you are part of a small business with less staff.
8. Donate to an LGBTQ+ charity
Show your support for the LGBTQ+ community by donating money to charity this Pride. Some charities include: Stonewall, who support LGBTQ+ people worldwide to achieve full equality, the Albert Kennedy Trust that support homeless LGBTQ+ young people, or Mermaids that support transgender children and families to help them achieve the best outcomes. More charities can be found here.
9. Sponsor or volunteer at your local pride organisation
Integrate LGBTQ+ rights into your company culture by volunteering or sponsoring smaller community groups near you. You can find these groups using this locator by Stonewall.
10. Switch up your company social media
Finally, show solidarity, demonstrate how diversity and inclusion is integrated into your company culture and show your support for the LGBTQ+ community by updating your company social media with pride frames, signing off your company email signatures with a promotion of Pride, or introducing pride-themed company merchandise.
Happy Pride Month! As you think about how your company is going to celebrate Pride, don’t forget that inclusion is for life, not just for pride. Ensuring that the policies and company culture within your company align with inclusion and diversity should be done year-round.
By Alana Bowen-Burford
