A lot has changed in our workplace in the past year. But the importance of\u00a0diversity and inclusion\u00a0hasn\u2019t 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\u00a0celebrate LGBTQIA+ employees\u00a0in the workplace.<\/p>\n
What is Pride Month?<\/p>\n
Around the world, June is recognized as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) Pride Month to commemorate a tipping point in queer history \u2014 the\u00a0Stonewall Uprising<\/a>,<\/strong>\u00a0which lasted 6 days in Manhattan in June 1969 as police clashed with LGBTQ protesters.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019s about the people in the LGBTQ community and our allies who fight and continue to fight for equality.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It must not be forgotten that\u00a0the first Pride was\u00a0<\/strong>not<\/em>\u00a0a celebration<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n Ideas for celebrating Pride Month in the remote workplace<\/p>\n Get educated<\/strong><\/p>\n Educate yourself in the history and weight of Pride and the LGBTQIA+ rights movement.<\/p>\n Update your company email signatures<\/strong><\/p>\n Add your pronouns to your email signature, (Pronouns means how you identify \u2014 he\/him, she\/her, they\/them, for instance \u2014 and how you\u2019d like other people to refer to you. This is a great, inclusive practice for everyone, even or especially if you\u2019re cisgender!)<\/p>\n Change your online meeting background<\/strong><\/p>\n So celebrate with your background!<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n R-esilience Pride stands as a powerful claim of self-worth and community celebration in contrast to historic ostracization of LGBTQ people.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n D-iversity Pride is the culmination of struggle to fully recognize the diversity of the community.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why not increase your education and complete the Online training in Staff training Moodle on \u2013 Transgender Awareness<\/a> and LGBTQI<\/a><\/p>\n