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🌈 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 was a lot of fun! 🎉 For a few hours, I didn’t think about the challenges, the constant judgment, or the pressure to fit into societal expectations. The reality is: 1. In countries like Poland 🇵🇱, Hungary 🇭🇺, and the Czech Republic 🇨🇿, transitioning can be incredibly challenging, and for many, it feels impossible to complete. 2. People in companies often ask about ID 🆔, but many are unaware of how difficult it can be to change it — sometimes it’s even impossible. Being part of the Rainbow Salute Foundation's boat during Pride 🚤 was a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility and support for the LGBTQ+ community. 🌟 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮. Let’s keep the conversation going and work together to create a world where everyone can be their authentic selves without fear or hesitation. 💖 How does your organization support LGBTQ+ individuals? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #AmsterdamPride #LGBTQSupport #TransRights #VisibilityMatters Stichting Pride Amsterdam Eric Klaver Camiel Welling Anita Beek Sam Piek Booking.com KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Delta Air Lines AVROTROS OUTtv Media B.V. RTL Nederland addikt The HEINEKEN Company ING Nederland ING Katja Fassin B.V. TLC Worldwide Thuisbezorgd.nl for business PVH Corp. Rituals HUGO BOSS PwC EasyToys Tommy Hilfiger Deloitte Vattenfall Primark Winq magazine

Transitioning from allyship to brand activism in the LGBT context involves strategic alignment. How do brands navigate this evolution? -By Ricardo Grilo, Universidade de Aveiro Research: https://buff.ly/3PWtD5d https://buff.ly/3Q4DzJR #allyshipvsactivism #brandactivism #consumerpreferences #corporatesocialresponsibility #lgbtmovement #lgbtrights #lgbtqcommunity #marketingstrategies #pridemonth #rainbowthemedcampaigns #socialchange #strategiccommunication #universityofaveiro

While we don't need to revisit the specific brand controversies surrounding Pride Month last year, one thing is clear: some large corporations are still figuring out how to meaningfully celebrate love and equality beyond performative measures. However, for queer-owned brands, #PrideMonth shines a unique spotlight that allows their founders to honor their identities and make a difference in their communities. And with global LGBTQ+ annual spending power reaching $3.9 trillion, the queer community can put dollars into action by supporting these brands during and beyond the month of June. TomboyX, which makes gender-neutral apparel that helps people feel their best, released a special edition collection for Pride month, which contributes to their year-round donations to LGBTQ+ causes. Marc Jacobs Fragrances embraced Pride month with a social media campaign using the perfume “Perfect,” in addition to throwing the Perfect Pride Ball featuring drag queen Bianca Del Rio and queer influencers and models. Japanese snack box brand Bokksu celebrated Pride by releasing a limited-edition box showcasing gifts from queer makers and artists in Japan, and donating a portion of sales to Marriage for All Japan. With an overwhelming percentage of consumers expressing willingness to spend more on ethical brands, it’s important to remember that year-round support for the LGBTQ+ community is crucial, especially among socially conscious #GenZ and #GenAlpha consumers. Stay #OneStepAhead with Beanstalk - Brand Extension Licensing Agency #culturalintelligence.   To learn more, please contact: Todd Kaufman (todd.kaufman@beanstalk.com) Meredith G. Robbins (meredith.robbins@beanstalk.com)

Earlier this month, I contributed an article to O Jornal Económico on the important of LGBTQ+ employees’ inclusion in more open, more diverse labour market and workplace structures. Sometimes we get caught up in celebrations and promotion of activities like Pride Month and quickly forget that for our LGBTQ+ colleagues issues of inclusion and pride are part of their everyday life (and work) realities. Their hopes for, and expectations of, an employer’s valuing and including them in an open, welcoming work environment do not stop on 1 July. That is why I wanted to share my recent article on the importance of remembering LGBTQ+ inclusion in company HR, and overall business, strategy. The reality of our current job markets is that age cohorts for employees are shifting. Younger generations are moving into entry and mid-level roles and they tend to be more open to forward-thinking organisational cultures and how businesses act as community stakeholders. LGBTQ+ inclusion continues to grow in importance for leadership teams, in talent recruitment, and for employee attraction and retention strategies. I encourage you to have a look at my article below (easily translatable into English with some help from Google) and reflect upon how your business could benefit from making Pride a daily affair, not just for one month in the year. A critical part of your future, competitive employer value proposition (EVP) will definitely need to include policies for gender and ethnic diversity, safe channels for reporting discrimination, or fully open recruitment processes that do not discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Just wait and see what magic it works for your organisation’s efforts in candidate attraction, employee retention, and brand + business representation. Future successful businesses will be built on inclusivity and social justice. #GiGroupHolding #WorkplaceInclusivity #PrideMonth #SocialJustice

Green, blue, pink – there is hardly a colour left that corporate marketers haven’t tried to wash their dirty laundry. My latest for Forbes looks at #RainbowWashing versus genuine #LGBTQ+ advocacy and support. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dnFvSXWi "While some companies use superficial methods to appear supportive, others like Ben & Jerry's, Salesforce, Levi Strauss & Co., and Apple genuinely engage with and support the LGBTQ+ community through meaningful actions and sustained advocacy,” explains Tor Wallin Andreassen at Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). For Sergey Gorbatov, Ph.D., a Professor at Porto Business School and IE University, "wearing clothing emblazoned with the rainbow symbol can demonstrate solidarity and support for LGBTQ+ rights and communities, yet its value could be depreciated if brands plaster it all over their products to boost sales in June." “On one hand, support feels much better than silence,” says Cait Lamberton, a Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School. But it’s hard to give a company credit for following instead of leading. "Many are following. That doesn’t mean they aren’t sincere, but in itself, this is a very weak signal of commitment.” “Clean your own house first," insists Johanna Frösén at Aalto University School of Business. "Make sure that the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion truly show in your culture, operations, and everyday decisions, before promoting them to external publics." BlueSky Thinking shares 7 #Pride Month Business Lessons you can't miss: https://lnkd.in/dEQ9jBHW #diversity #inclusion #DEI #businesschool #research #leadership #marketing #McKinsey #Bain #IKEA Falmouth University #SAP #Apple #Salesforce #Levis https://lnkd.in/dnFvSXWi

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴? 🌈 Rainbow washing is when organisations superficially show support for the LGBTQ+ community, without making real efforts to address issues or promote equality.   It's crucial to distinguish this hypocrisy from authentic advocacy. Amidst social media scrutiny, it's important to recognise that there are ethical brands genuinely dedicated to diversity…   Johanna Frösén, Associate Professor of Marketing at Aalto University School of Business points out, “Rainbow washing may contribute to carnivalisation of the LGBTQ+ community. In other words, it distances them from what is considered the every day normal.”   Sergey Gorbatov, Professor at Porto Business School and IE University, splits the problem into two distinct issues: one symbolic and the other reputational. On symbolism, he says, “The rainbow flag has a deep, personal meaning to many of those involved in the struggles around the stigmatisation, criminalisation, or medicalisation of homosexuality, anti-LGBTQ+ violence, and more.”   Regarding the reputational aspect, sporadic marketing campaigns could be detrimental to public perception of LGBTQ+ people, generate negative social media, and make people feel like they are being used.   𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴? 🔍   Rainbow washers use LGBTQ+ symbols or slogans superficially, without aligning with stated values, lacking diversity in leadership or workforce despite claims of inclusivity, and focusing on LGBTQ+ issues only around events like Pride month. Profit takes precedence over genuine support.   Tor Andreassen, Professor of Innovation at Norwegian School of Economics (NHH), explains, “There is frequently an absence of comprehensive, supportive workplace policies for LGBTQ+ employees, such as non-discrimination clauses and inclusive benefits.”   Visit Forbes below to discover more insights from these experts! ⏬   https://lnkd.in/eQtVx_36   The Wharton School, Falmouth University, Matt Symonds #Pride #LGBTQ #LGBTQsupport #Forbes

You didn't think I was going to stay quiet on this one, did you? Let's be clear -- The anti-DEI activist has one VERY CLEAR motivation in his current anti-DEI pressure campaign. Spoiler Alert: His motivation is truly one of hate, bias, & animus against the LGBTQ+ community. Full stop. The other anti-DEI rhetoric is just a distraction for his true cause. The truth is abundantly clear: First, look at his history -- for years, his activism has been focused on attacking the LGBTQ+ community (see his fake anti-LGBTQ+ documentary -- which, unoriginally, is straight out of the Anita Bryant playbook of the 1970s -- & his vocal support of anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Tennessee & his angry tweets over the display of Pride flags). Second, look at what he is specifically demanding of these companies: * end participation in the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index (solely singling it out); * bar funding to LGBTQ+ entities; * ban participation in LGBTQ+ Pride festivals & parades; & * disband LGBTQ+ ERGs. His goal is very transparent, & his focus is anti-LGBTQ+, cloaked in an "anti-woke" & "anti-DEI" message in order to hide his bigotry & bias. He's happy to go after DEI programs, but his real target is the LGBTQ+ community specifically. This isn't about "neutrality" as he alleges; it's a targeted hate-fueled campaign against everyone who is LGBTQ+ & everyone who loves, embraces, & supports us. So, let's be clear, Tractor Supply Company, John Deere, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Indian Motorcycle Company, Lowe's Companies, Inc., Ford Motor Company, & now Molson Coors Beverage Company are picking sides & they've aligned themselves with a fringe extremist who espouses hateful & harmful rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community. So, the question for these & other companies is: Do your corporate values espouse hate & discrimination? If so, by all means, saddle up to this anti-DEI activist & his merry band of bigots, as you agree to demands that are designed to target & harm your LGBTQ+ employees & customers. And, if your corporate values espouse the individuality, dignity, & humanity of your employees, then the LGBTQ+ community needs you to step up & be vocal about it. To me, the choice is clear, & I hope companies resist these demands & stand-up for diversity, equity, & inclusion, because these are not dirty-words or vulgarities. Corporations should be proud to champion DEI initiatives, which benefit all of us. And they shouldn’t cower to bigots, as the focus on DEI isn’t going away, especially given the demographics of the younger workforce. So, pick your sides carefully, Corporate America—lots of people are watching & will remember if you stood with the LGBTQ+ community or if you aligned yourself against us.

Consumers may notice a rise in LGBTQ+ themed packaging designs in June – coinciding with #PrideMonth, which commemorates the Stonewall riots for gay liberation in 1969. Some consider gestures like these a sign of support and a benchmark for increasing acceptance; others condemn it as companies exploiting a social movement for their own profit. Is there any way packaging can be used as a force for good? Emma Liggins weighs up the options. To get access to exclusive premium content, become a Packaging Europe member: https://lnkd.in/em_Jz4_Q Follow our hashtag to stay up to date with the latest packaging news: hashtag #PackagingEurope

The most important thing about impact storytelling is integrity. Just slapping a rainbow logo doesn't show a commitment to a cause - it's the actions you take to progress the cause forward that matters. This month, we were approached by our clients Rebel Sport about how we could create authentic content around #PrideMonth. It was an honour to be able to help them craft a meaningful message that would make sense for their brand and properly support the LGBTQI+ community. How did we do this? - We consulted with Zoé Kennedy from Spark and Co to hear from their lived experiences and the stories they'd want to hear - We worked directly from Pride Cup to see what would make a difference to them - We celebrated the stories of people with lived experiences - including athletes Caitlin Bunker and Andy Brennan - We ensured that their stories were in their own voice and they had ownership over our edit - We gave recommendations of other ways the business could step up in LGBTQ+ inclusion - We brought these values into our ongoing strategy so that they didn't just end at Pride Month That's what it means to work with a purpose-driven brand. We are embedded in the culture of change and can help guide you through these moments for your brand. Whether you're pursuing a campaign or want to see inclusion embedded in all that you do, we're the team to assist you. Want to see the change we can make together? Get in touch with The Social Story. #SocialMediaForSocialGood #SocialMediaAgency [image description: first image with the heading "A rainbow logo is not enough." Second image lists out the ways to embrace inclusivity, including: "amplify stories, consult with experts, check your own house, make inclusivity the norm." Third image shows the three Instagram posts we created and fourth image has screenshots of positive comments about the content.]

BMW Criticized For Selective Use Of Pride Logo In Middle East BMW has been criticized for not displaying a rainbow-themed logo on its Middle East social media page during Pride Month, while other regional pages like BMW South Africa and BMW Japan did. The discrepancy led to accusations of inconsistent support for LGBTQ+ rights. An anonymous user on X questioned BMW, asking why the Middle East page did not use the rainbow logo. BMW responded, “This is an established practice at the BMW Group, which also takes into consideration market-specific legal regulations and country-specific cultural aspects.” BMW explained that it allows its sales companies and independent distributors to decide whether to participate in centrally initiated communication and marketing campaigns. Despite the main page’s logo change as a “clear stance” for Pride Month, the company’s explanation did not sit well with everyone. BMW stated, “The international channels can be accessed worldwide and thus show the logo change in all markets worldwide.” The company’s approach received mixed reactions. Some supporters of LGBTQ+ rights felt that BMW’s selective use of the rainbow logo was hypocritical. Ani O’Brien, a prominent user on X, criticized BMW, saying, “As a lesbian, I would prefer you don’t pretend to take a moral stance on my human rights that is dependent on market conditions. Just drop the flag and go sell some cars.” Others also voiced their disapproval, suggesting that BMW’s actions were more about profit than genuine support. Lucy Stone labeled the stance as “opportunistic virtue signaling,” while Adam Carter suggested he would “probably have more respect for BMW if they were just honest and said ‘We see the potential to make more money with a rainbow.'” BMW’s response highlights the difficulties faced by global companies when navigating different cultural and legal environments. The backlash underscores the importance of consistent and sincere support for social causes, particularly when companies choose to take public stances on issues like LGBTQ+ rights.