June is Pride month and normally a time for some great colourful celebrations across the globe. It is once again a very different experience this year with the pandemic, but still more important than ever for everyone to show their support. June was chosen as Pride month as the Stonewall Riots took place in June 1969. These raids and riots that followed rocked the LGBTQ+ community, and it was only two years ago that the NYPD finally apologised for their actions.
Despite much progress, the LBGTQ+ community faces many challenges, including workplace discrimination on a daily basis. You can see from LinkedIn & other social media platforms that many companies have switched the Rainbow filter on to show support for this important month. This action taken in the right way gives many LBGTQ+ people the confidence that a huge number of organisations have their backs, but at the same time there is the suspicion that this is just rainbow capitalism with companies just trying to look like they are doing the right thing.
So what else can you do in the workplace to show support? Here are some starting points:
- Provide diversity, equity, and inclusion training to create a safe and friendly environment for all employees.
- Ensure equal benefits for all employees including time off for adoption leave, maternity/paternity leave, health benefits, and pay
- Offer a social responsibility program to help organize and take steps to demonstrate clear support for the LGBTQ+ community
- Look to donate time or money to a LGBTQ+ charity
Learning the history and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community is helpful to give people the confidence to lead the way in support, but it should not end once Pride is over. At Livingston James Group we are still learning and hope to be able to support in the right way. This month we’re donating to LGBT Youth Scotland. A donation is one of the best ways you can help make Scotland the best place for LGBTQ young people to grow up. If you want to make a difference you can donate here.
In addition, we have ongoing DE&I training and are here to advise any of our clients that are unsure about any aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion relating to the hiring process.
We wish you all a very Happy #Pride Month! #Pride2021
