A lot has changed in our workplace in the past year. But the importance of diversity and inclusion hasn’t gone anywhere. And neither has the joy and power of recognizing the full value of everyone. June is pride month even though most of us are still working remotely we can still celebrate LGBTQIA+ employees in the workplace.
What is Pride Month?
Around the world, June is recognized as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) Pride Month to commemorate a tipping point in queer history — the Stonewall Uprising, which lasted 6 days in Manhattan in June 1969 as police clashed with LGBTQ protesters.
“It’s important to celebrate Pride in the workplace because we must acknowledge and recognize the accomplishments of the gay rights movement and our brave LGBTQ advocates. It’s about the people in the LGBTQ community and our allies who fight and continue to fight for equality.
It must not be forgotten that the first Pride was not a celebration. It was a riot led by queer people of colour. Pride was born out of a struggle. And now, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought struggle back to LGBTQIA+ communities, as they are forced to lock down with families who may not be accepting.
Ideas for celebrating Pride Month in the remote workplace
Get educated
Educate yourself in the history and weight of Pride and the LGBTQIA+ rights movement.
Update your company email signatures
Add your pronouns to your email signature, (Pronouns means how you identify — he/him, she/her, they/them, for instance — and how you’d like other people to refer to you. This is a great, inclusive practice for everyone, even or especially if you’re cisgender!)
Change your online meeting background
So celebrate with your background!
P-eople – Pride is about the people in the LGBTQ and allied community. Remember that our shared humanity is what is both celebrated and at stake in the global fight for full LGBTQ equality
R-esilience Pride stands as a powerful claim of self-worth and community celebration in contrast to historic ostracization of LGBTQ people.
I-nformation – Pride serves as an important milestone for employers to share information with their own workforce, customers and clients about the meaningful ways they engage with the LGBTQ community and are advocates for equality.
D-iversity Pride is the culmination of struggle to fully recognize the diversity of the community.
E-xpression – The visuals that often come to mind from Pride month are colourful, campy and fun. From tiaras to boas to floats and DJs, Pride is a celebration of individual and community
Why not increase your education and complete the Online training in Staff training Moodle on – Transgender Awareness and LGBTQI