Pride Month Reminders

Pride Month is indeed an occasion of support, awareness, community, and love. While businesses may want to participate, there are certain practices that can potentially be harmful or ineffectual. Here are some alternative suggestions to counter those problematic activities:

Authentic Allyship over Performative Allyship: Instead of expressing superficial support for the 2SLGBTQI+ community, companies can become genuine allies. This involves acknowledging and actively working against the systemic issues faced by this community. Some actions may include implementing inclusive policies, promoting LGBTQI+ leadership, and offering regular education and training sessions to all staff about diversity and inclusivity.

Responsible Pride Product Sourcing: If a company wants to sell or buy Pride-themed products, it should ensure that it supports LGBTQI+ causes sincerely. This might mean sourcing products from LGBTQI+ businesses, artists, and allies. The company should also consider donating a portion of its Pride product proceeds to LGBTQI+ charities, ensuring that their actions contribute to the community they're celebrating.

Inclusive Representation over Tokenism: It's important to involve the 2SLGBTQI+ community in your organization's Pride Month initiatives and decisions. This involvement should go beyond symbolic acts, focusing on genuinely uplifting and empowering these members. By doing so, your organization can foster a more comprehensive understanding and support for the community both within and outside the workplace.

The key is to make sure that any Pride Month activities align with year-round efforts to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all staff, particularly those from the 2SLGBTQI+ community.