Take Pride in your people
Alvarium Talent
Agile Talent Acquisition Solutions for Consultancy, Advisory and Technology Services Businesses
This year’s Pride month it’s an extra special celebration as we mark the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march in the UK.
As a society, we’ve come a long way in those 50 years, but there’s still work to do to ensure continuing acceptance and inclusion for all. Here at Alvarium Talent, we’re committed to promoting diversity in talent policies, and the LGBTQ+ community is no exception.
To celebrate, we’ve been continuing to educate ourselves on the history of Pride and its importance in the workplace – here are a few tidbits to you get you started on your own learning journey
What is Pride?
Today Pride is a celebration of LGBTQ+ people, love, and freedom, but it was initially a protest. Pride marches commemorate the Stonewall Riots of 1967 – a historic moment which kickstarted the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. Pride marches happen annually worldwide, including many around the UK. They’re welcoming events that embrace everyone who cares about equal rights and fair treatment for all.
More broadly, the word ‘Pride’ embodies the ideal of self-affirmation, dignity, and visibility of LGBTQ+ people.
What’s Pride Month?
In 1999, the month of June was declared Pride month in the USA by President Bill Clinton, and it has continued to be recognised every year since. Though many other countries have had equivalent celebratory months over the years, in recent times, June has increasingly been recognised internationally as Pride month.
What place does Pride have in the workplace?
Companies have an obligation to their employees to make them feel safe and welcome at work. Though there should never be an obligation for anyone to share personal information about themselves at work, creating an environment where LGBTQ+ people feel supported to be their authentic selves at work, without fear of discrimination, is vital to a fair, equal and diverse workforce.
Companies that hire from all walks of life have been shown to be more successful, with happier and more productive workforces. And making everyone, including LGBTQ+ people, feel valued for their contributions at work paves the way for the next generation of talent.
How can I promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in my organisation?
Fly the flag – and we don’t mean just changing the colour of your logo. We mean really nailing your colours to the mast and demonstrating allyship day-to-day all year round, not just for the month of June. This might mean:
- visible displays of support in the office or online
Recommended by LinkedIn
- setting up LGBTQ+ & Allies employee networks
- updating D&I policies and comms
- committing to only working with partners with inclusive policies
- participating in activist or fundraising campaigns
Where can I find more information?
There are loads of resources out there, but most of the information in this post came from the following places, and they are a great place to start:
And if you’re looking to explore further, there’s no better way than immersing yourself in culture. Here are some books and TV shows that celebrate LGBTQ+ voices for you to get stuck into!