Lord Abbett
June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, established to recognize the impact that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on the world.
Originally established as “Gay Pride Day” to honor the 1969 Stonewall Riots, Pride has expanded in many places to a month-long celebration including pride parades, picnics, parties, educational events, memorials for those lost to hate crimes and HIV/AIDS, and other group gatherings.
In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass the month-long series of events.
Below you will find examples of what some Diversity Best Practices member companies are doing to acknowledge and celebrate this year’s virtual Pride Month.
AbbVie
We are including information in our monthly e-newsletter from Julie Osborne, Vice President, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion to all Employee Resource Groups and employees signed up for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion news and information, including an overview of importance of Pride month.
We will have a leadership video to kick off the month as well as raise the Pride flag.
Through our Pride Employee Resource Group, we will have a series of activities, including a virtual meeting and weekly emails. We also plan to acknowledge via social media posts throughout June.
Allstate
This June, Allstate Pride has a full calendar of completely virtual national events!
- June 4 Pride Agent Panel Discussion
Ever wondered what it is like being an Allstate Agent? in an LGBTQ neighborhood? Find out in this special Pride themed panel discussion.
- June 8 Ally Training Workshop
Want to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and how to be an ally? Join us for this educational session! Topics include: Definitions and acronyms, why allies are important and how to be a good ally.
- June 11 Ally Training Breakout Discussions
Have questions about your unique ally situation? Want to hear from others that are like you? Not sure how to approach a difficult conversation? Join us for one of our breakout
discussions!
Breakout topics include: Being an ally as a parent or guardian of an LGBTQ+ child
General: Share your story and/or solicit advice or learning
- June 18 Professional Panel
If you’re looking to take that next step in your career, then you won’t want to miss this panel discussion. Our panelists will answer your questions and give tips and tricks they’ve learned in their own careers.
- June 24 Virtual Pride Parade
Allstaters across the country will submit photos and messages of support to be featured during the live viewing party for our first every virtual pride parade!
Aramark
Aramark Pride, the company’s employee resource group (ERG) for LGBTQ+ employees and allies, has created numerous virtual events to engage employees and reinforce the company’s ongoing commitment to fostering an open, inclusive work environment where all employees are encouraged to bring their “whole selves” to work.
Aramark’s virtual Pride Month celebration will include:
- Storytime with Aramark Young Professionals (AYP) and Aramark Pride ERGs: Pride members will join AYP’s weekly storytime session, where a children’s book is read and kid-friendly games are played via zoom. The first session in June will be dedicated to celebrating Pride month and teaching children important lessons about identity with the reading of A Family is a Family is a Family and Julian is a Mermaid.
- LGBTea-Q Time: Pride will host a virtual social hour where members can network and engage in tea-talk about LGBTQ+ topics.
- Virtual watch party of Out&Equal’s session “Global Perspectives: LGBTQ+ Advocates’ Experiences in Light of COVID” where they’ll discuss OutRight Action International’s recently released report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on LGBTQ+ people.
- Professional Development Session: Pride will host a professional development session in partnership with Aramark’s Talent Development team to help members continue to grow professionally.
- Global Pride 2020 Watch Party: Pride members are invited don their rainbow apparel and attend Aramark’s virtual watch party for Global Pride 2020, featuring musical and artistic performances, speeches from activists and campaigners and addresses by public figures.
- 21 Day Ally Challenge: Aramark is partnering with Pride Circle for the #21DaysAllyChallenge. This fun, global virtual game engages the LGBTQ+ community and its allies in a series of mini challenges spread over 21 days in June to celebrate Pride all month long.
Baxter
The Baxter Equality Network (BEN) Business Resource Group, whose mission is to empower LGBTQI individuals and allies to realize their full potential by being their authentic selves, is once again celebrating June as Pride Month.
BEN held its annual LGBTQI Pride Art Contest for all Baxter employees, with the winning submission to be featured on the company’s internal and external communication channels.
BEN will host a Virtual Pride Month Celebration for all employees on June 24, featuring senior leaders, members of the LGBTQ community, and BEN chapters around the world.
Baxter’s Senior Leadership Team also celebrated LGBTQ pride at a recent virtual meeting and will be sharing a Pride Month message with all employees. Click here to learn more about Baxter’s Inclusion & Diversity initiatives.
Bayer
Bayer’s LGBT+ and ally Business Resource Group, BLEND, will celebrate Pride Month in the U.S. with virtual events throughout June. The events will connect Bayer employees across the U.S. for learning opportunities focused on developing as an LGBT+ ally, as well as for personal wellness activities.
BLEND’s new Ally Journey will be shared during a live webcast, and an interactive virtual meeting will be held on building change resiliency, especially during COVID-19. Internal and external communication campaigns will include selfies of employees showing their Pride in Bayer-branded attire with rainbow accessories and employee quotes about what Pride means to them. BLEND-themed backgrounds for video conferences will be rolled out for use across the organization.
On June 10, Bayer U.S. will celebrate a National Day of Pride. On this day, and as part of this celebration, Bayer will be hosting a virtual event featuring a guest speaker from Human Rights Campaign who will provide a policy landscape overview at the time that SCOTUS decisions on LGBT+ issues are expected to be announced.
This speaker will also challenge Bayer employees to become more engaged allies at work and in their communities. Bayer Pride flags will be flown at various sites across the U.S.
While many of this year’s community Pride celebrations originally scheduled in June in which Bayer employees traditionally participate have been postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BLEND chapters across the U.S. will continue to support community Pride organizations virtually or reschedule events to later in the year.
Booz Allen Hamilton
Here is what our LGBTQ+ BRG (or as we call it, GLOBE+) has planned for Pride month:
- Pride Work OUT: A virtual 30 minute bodyweight class led by a colleague who is also a certified trainer
- Pride Kick Off: Join Out & Equal CEO (and former GLOBEr) Erin Uritus and kick off Pride!
- Pride Brunch: Join Out & Equal on their very first Pride Brunch Break. Represent Booz Allen in style!
- World Pride Watch: Come watch World Pride and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Pride together
- Capital Pride Economic Impact Study: An upcoming skills-based volunteering project focused on collecting data and producing an economic impact analysis for the Capital Pride Alliance
Cigna
Cigna will be flying the Pride flag at numerous Cigna locations throughout the month of June and holding virtual events for our members as well.
Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac’s Pride employee resource group (ERG) is hosting virtual activities and programs throughout Pride Month to celebrate and honor the diversity of our community.
Highlights include:
- Virtual Pride Showcase: In lieu of the 2020 Pride Parade, Pride ERG members will virtually showcase what Pride means to them by adorning rainbow swag, making a Tik-Tok video or showing off a new favorite quarantine hobby.
- LGBTQ+ Parenting Panel: In partnership with our Working Parents ERG, panelists will sharepersonal stories, challenges they’ve faced, and advice around topics such as children coming out to their family, understanding Freddie Mac’s adoption benefits and more.
- Bisexual+ Experience in the Workplace Training: Led by well-known bi+ activist and speaker Robin Ochs, this virtual training will share valuable insights and data from her studies on the bisexual, pansexual and fluid employee experience in the workplace.”
Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bank actively promotes inclusion and diversity with eight virtual Enterprise Business Resource Groups led by Enterprise committee executives and nearly 70 regional business resource groups overseen by inclusion councils in each of the Bank’s 13 regions. More than 3,600 employees take part in the in-person regional BRGs.
All of Fifth Third’s BRGs are focused on fostering employees, the Bank’s reputation, and a work environment and culture that supports engagement and inclusion. BRGs are open to all Fifth Third employees, whether they’re members of the group’s constituency or allies.
The LGBT+ BRGs across the Company have planned a variety of planned events and activities to celebrate Pride Month in June.
Here is some of what’s coming up.
Cincinnati:
The Cincinnati LGBT+ BRG will be sending weekly educational communications to its members with topics that include the history of LGBTQ Pride Month and messages highlighting the significant contributions made by many diverse leaders within the LGBTQ community.
The Enterprise BRG will host a session where all LGBT+ BRG members across the Bank’s 10-state footprint will be invited to honor LGBTQ Pride Month. Representatives from PFLAG, a foundation of families united with LGBTQ people and allies who support and advocate for one another, and Fifth Third’s director of advertising and branding, will present during the session. The group will also hold a virtual pride parade and engage in LGBTQ trivia questions.
Florida:
The Florida LGBT+ BRG will host a virtual memorial to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting. They will also create a mosaic titled “Show Your Pride” that will feature photos of its members. They will be hosting a giveaway where members will have the opportunity to win a Pride themed gift basket and during the month they will be sending e-mails out to their members to educate them on Pride history.
Georgia: Members of the Georgia LGBT+ BRG will send out daily trivia questions about LGBTQ facts to Bank employees. At the end of the month the winner who answers the most questions correctly will win a Pride grab bag.
Kentucky:
The Kentucky LGBT+ BRG members will send pride Facts to employees in the region and offer employees to submit short answers to the question, “What pride means to me.” Any employee who submits a statement will receive a pride prize. There will also be a virtual pride summit at the end of the month. Participants of the summit will also receive prizes.
Northeastern, OH:
Fifth Third branded LGBT+ apparel will be given to all employees. The members will also host a weekly trivia game that will be in the employee newsletter. The first person to respond to the questions each week with a correct response will receive a gift card.
During the weekend of June 26 and 27, the employees who do report to the physical work offices will be allowed to wear pride t-shirts and jeans to show their support of pride month.
The group’s members will be hosting a professional development session where attendees will learn about how using different pronouns helps create inclusive spaces. They session will also focus on gender identity and non-binary identities.
North Carolina:
The North Carolina LGBT+ BRG members will be introducing its special LGBT+ calendar which will feature special historical dates and events pertaining to pride month. The members will also participate in a pride walk and make a donation to an LGBT+ charity. They will also be hosting a “show their pride” virtual activity where people can submit photos for a prize.
Tennessee:
The Tennessee LGBT+ BRG members will be have a “pride parade” where group members will decorate their cars and visit Bank branches. During the visit they drop off swag bags at the financial centers.
They will also send out trivia questions about pride month and winners will be selected to receive prizes. Finally, they will have a virtual meeting to celebrate the month.
FINRA
In celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the FINRA Pride Alliance (FPA) Employee Resource Group is offering diverse, creative virtual opportunities all month long—designed to engage, educate and inspire all FINRA employees.
Some of the programs and events include:
- Workplace Charity Giving Campaign: Throughout the month of June, FPA is encouraging FINRA employees to donate to GRIOT Circle—their designated charity for 2020. GRIOT Circle is an advocacy and service organization committed to the dignity, well-being, and quality of life of LGBTQ elders of color. The core programs offered include mental health services, nutrition and lunch program, friendly visitor program, health wellness, and educational activities, and peer caregiver program.
- Annual “Images of Pride Photo Competition”: All FINRA employees are encouraged to submit and vote on entries for an opportunity to win various prizes throughout the summer. This competition also features an “Images of Pets” segment.
- Networking Opportunities: FPA will continue to host weekly Zoom “Meeting the Members” meetings—designed to connect employees to share their experiences while celebrating Pride in an era of social distancing.
- Movie Mondays: Each week, FPA will feature and discuss a new movie with ERG members.
- Panel Event: FPA will host a panel discussion featuring Jose Albino, Executive Director of GRIOT who will be sharing information about GRIOT’s community service efforts. The panel will also feature guest psychologists, who will discuss various topics, including the mental health implications of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ community.
- Virtual Game Night: FPA members, friends and family are invited to join in a virtual Pride themed game night, featuring a variety of games and activities.
- Virtual Pride Parade: FPA’s Pride Month Celebration will culminate with a “Virtual Pride Parade” that will feature images of our members in a special video that celebrates Pride over the years.
GuideWell/Florida Blue
The Respect Employee Resource Group on behalf of Guidewell/Florida Blue is hosting an entire month of virtual activities during pride month in June!
We will kick off the month asking our employees to send a “Happy Pride Month” email to their teams and co-workers.
There will be a series of events including a collaboration with the UNF LGBT Center Leader who will conduct a session on Pronouns 101 and Ally 101.
On June 12th, employees are encouraged to take a walk in remembrance of Pulse.
We will include a 21-day Ally Challenge for our Allies and LGBTQ+ employees to participate in a daily fun activity!
Respect has created a special Pride website where employees can post their favorite pride pictures and story-tell their favorite pride/ally moments, in addition to recommending LGBTQ Movies and Books.
We are even doing a fun interactive Pride trivia session over lunch where participants can win logo prizes.
HP
At HP, diversity, inclusion and belonging are essential to HP’s business success. We are celebrating Pride Month globally with the theme Raise Your Voice.
Given all that is going on in our world today, it’s especially important for employees to find places where they can raise their voice in support of the LGBTQ+ community and inclusion for all.
HP’s Pride Month will include many events and initiatives around the world.
A few of them are shared below:
- Pride Month global webinar, “Inclusive Leadership at all Levels: Raising Your Voice and Creating Cultures of Belonging,” featuring author and diversity expert Jennifer Brown in conversation with HP’s Annette Friskopp, General Manager and Global Head of HP Specialty Printing Systems and Executive Sponsor of HP Global Pride.
- Global offerings of our several workshops to increase LGBTQ+ knowledge.
- Allies at HP workshop where employees enhance their LGBTQ+ knowledge, learn hear stories of our LGBTQ+ employee experiences, get tips on how to be an effective ally, and join as an official ally.
- Inclusive language workshop to discuss how word choices can impact inclusion and provide actionable recommendations for more inclusive language.
- Bi+ insights and panel where employees will learn more about the B in LGBTQ+, including a panel of HP employees who will share their experiences being bi.
- New Pride themed recognition cards on HP’s internal recognition system.
- Pride flags displayed in the HP offices around the world where we still have employees going to the office for critical work that cannot be done at home (ie, manufacturing).
- Pride related stories several times in June on HP’s internal digital news page.
- Pride Month collateral for employees to use including Pride themed zoom backgrounds, social media graphics, newsletter and email banners and more.
We will also sponsor social and networking events to celebrate Pride Month including virtual happy hours, LGBTQ+ trivia sessions, and more!
KPMG
See below on what KPMG plans to do for our virtual Pride month:
Each year in June, the KPMG celebrates the accomplishments and milestones of our LGBTQ professionals and community. Historically, around the firm, many of our local offices participate in city-wide Pride month festivities. As a result of the COVID pandemic, our in-person celebrations have been cancelled not only in the U.S., but globally.
To that end, our U.S. Pride@KPMG Business Resource Group (BRG) has joined forces with our Global Pride BRG to present our first ever Global Pride Celebration which will be hosted, virtually, on June 26th. We anticipate that over 2000 professionals from 20+ KPMG member firms will be participating.
The three hour event is a mix of celebrations, learning sessions, personal stories from our leaders and a chance to connect as a global community.
Sessions will be led by experts from PFLAG, a LGBTQ family and ally organization and from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a civil rights organization working to achieve LGBTQ equality.
We are thrilled to be joined by KPMG’s Global Chairman and CEO Bill Thomas, US Chairman and CEO Lynne Doughtie, US Chairman-Elect Paul Knopp, Global Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Mary Lou Maher, KPMG’s US Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Michele Meyer-Shipp, KPMG India’s Head of Diversity, Zainab Patel, and the Chair and Co-Chair of KPMG’s Pride BRG, Chad Libertus and Felicia Tucker.
Lord Abbett
With the launch of our Pride Month communication, we are announcing a new memorial scholarship for an LGBTQ+ colleague through the Point Foundation under a month-long theme of “Legacy” and “Sustainability.”
- On June 1, the LGBTQ+ networking group and our Executive Sponsor will provide opening remarks and virtually ring the opening market bell.
- Along with our new market bell tradition, we will honor our colleague named in the memorial scholarship on the day of the month that coincides with his length of service in days (i.e. 17 years of service = June 17th bell ringing).
- PFLAG will host 2 Straight for Equality training sessions.
- We will host a speaker event to learn more about how the LGBVTQ+ community is disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and make a donation to a non-profit organization that is helping those in need during this difficult time.
- We will host a virtual happy hour with our LGBTQ+ networking group members and Executive Sponsor.
- For the second year we will light our building on the Jersey City waterfront with the colors of the rainbow flag throughout the month of June. (See photo from last year attached)
- And finally, with luck, we will introduce our new Point Foundation scholar to the firm at our Pride Month closing bell event where he will say a few words.
McDonald’s
The conversations focused on inclusion and diversity within McDonald’s, our nation and the globe are more important now than ever.
While we continue to foster these dialogues in many ways, we wanted to remind you of the importance the month of June holds for the LGBTQ community, share information on some upcoming events and reinforce McDonald’s commitment to being an inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work, every day.
Typically, we would be participating in Pride Parades across the country to show our commitment to D&I, however due to COVID, those events have been cancelled.
We have had to become very creative with keeping our members engaged through Virtual events, below:
- Intersectionality: The Black and LGBTQ Experience (June 18, 3:30 – 4:30pm CT)
In partnership with Out & Equal, the Pride Employee Business Network presents a panel presentation to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on racial injustice through the lens of LGBTQ and Allied Black individuals, with internal and external speakers. Panelists include H Walker (Global D&I), Danielle Harris (Atlanta Field People Officer), Will Scantling (Global Talent), along with Kaishon Holloway from Indeed.com and LaSaia Wade, the founder of Brave Space Alliance, a black and trans-led LGBT center in Chicago
- MHQ and You: A Virtual Pride Celebration (June 25, 3-4pm CT)
Since we aren’t able to celebrate together in person, the McDonald’s Pride EBN invites you to join a virtual happy hour social, with special guest speakers, games and some surprise drag queen performances. Come dressed in your best Pride attire! We also encourage you to decorate your home office area as you see fit!
As a reminder, Pride Month as it is known today began on June 28, 1969, when members of the LGBT community in New York City – with leadership from Marsha P. Johnson and other Black and POC trans individuals – rioted following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn. Protests and riots over the following nights are considered the birth of the modern gay rights movement, hence the annual June celebrations.
Medtronic
Here are some things that Medtronic is doing for Pride Month:
- Flying the PRIDE Flag – For the entire month of June, we’re flying the rainbow flag outside 20+ Medtronic campuses around the world to show our commitment to PRIDE and the LGBTQ+ community.
- Sharing PRIDE Stories – Sharing video and written stories from our Medtronic PRIDE community on internal website and externally on Medtronic social media channels.
- Let’s Talk About LGBTQ+ Mental Health – Internal webinar offered globally to educate on resources and tools that address mental health matters affecting the PRIDE community — including isolation and separation brought on by the pandemic.
- Virtual Rainbow Tables – Formerly hosted monthly at several Medtronic campuses, these new virtual video lunch connections are open to all Medtronic employees to build community and social engagement.
- Professional Development Webinar: Tackling LGBTQ+ Health Inequities – Internal webinar to learn more about healthcare matters specific to the LGBTQ+ population. We’ll also highlight our new Medtronic PRIDE Network partnership with JustUs Health, the largest LGBTQ+ healthcare provider in the state of Minnesota.
- Virtual PRIDE Parties – At several of our PRIDE employee resource group hubs around the world, members will wear PRIDE gear, grab a beverage of choice, and join in celebrating PRIDE at Medtronic during this online virtual celebration. Expect trivia, prizes — and lots of laughs.
Merck
This year the Merck Rainbow Alliance (MRA) Employee Business Resource Group is celebrating Pride Month virtually.
Our 23 Chapters worldwide will host events to build allyship through storytelling, awareness, and leadership.
In addition, Merck is a corporate sponsor of the (Not IRL) Pride Summit by Lesbians Who Tech, WorkPride Conference by myGwork, and 21 Days Ally Challenge by Pride Circle.
The following events will take place throughout June:
- Flying Pride Flags at multiple sites
- The Power of Storytelling by I’m From Driftwood with guest speaker Nathan Manske
- Allyship panel discussion with several Ally colleagues
- Exploring the Plus in LGBTQ+ with guest speaker Hilary Mutch, Centre for Sexuality
- LGBTQ+ and… a talk about Intersectionality with guest speaker Dr. Tyree Oredein
- Top 6 Leadership Competencies that Every Leader Must Know & Grow with guest speaker Dr. Steve Yacovelli, Author of “Pride Leadership”
- Diversity & Inclusion through Supplier Diversity and Global Talent Acquisition panel discussion
Moody’s
–
Company-wide:
- Intranet article highlighting planned Pride Month activities and a Pride Month calendar created by a Moody’s Employee
- Weekly email round-ups featuring educational material, upcoming events, and LGBTQ+ community focus
- Rainbow flag company logo on multiple recruiting platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Glassdoor)
- “Pride Month” virtual Zoom background and email signature
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U.S. Employee Resource Group Events:
- Omaha – “Allyship in the Workplace” discussion
- NY – Virtual AIDS walk, LGBTQ+ Mental Health “Table Talk” event, Trivia fundraising charity event, Membership meeting
- San Fran/NY – LGBTQ+ themed film discussion (50 Years of Fabulous)
New York Power Authority
At the New York Power Authority, PRIDE Goes Digital.
Celebrate LGBT Pride Month 2020 with a slate of events planned by Pride in Power employee resource group.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.
Here is how Pride in Power is celebrating:
Giving Back
Pride in Power ERG will continue its annual LGBT Pride Month community investment drive, which aims provide clothes and toiletries to the Ali Forney Center in Harlem, which provides homeless LGBTQ youth with housing and services.
About Ali Forney: “The Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest homeless LGBT youth services provider. We rely on the support of the community to provide New York City’s homeless LGBT youth with the resources they need to reclaim their lives and live independently.
Pride in Power in celebrating Pride Month! We are issuing a Pronoun Challenge!
Pride in Power is Challenging you to add your Pronouns to your email signature. Here are the examples of Pronouns reflected in the signature:
Sam. Q Public
He/Him/His
Sr. Engineer*
PRIDE In Power Movie Screenings
Pride in Power will host digital watch parties for employees. Grab your popcorn and tune in to films that seek to inform, move and educate.
A Camouflage Closet — “The Camouflage Closet” is a Veteran-led film about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Veterans’ experiences with PTSD, trauma and recovery. This project incorporates the firsthand perspectives of LGBT Veterans, who were provided with cameras, tools, and training to create video narratives.
Death & Life of Marsha P. Johnson — Filmmakers re-examine the 1992 death of transgender legend Marsha P. Johnson, who was found floating in the Hudson River. Originally ruled a suicide, many in the community believe she was murdered.
A Secret Love — A former baseball player keeps her lesbian relationship a secret from her family for seven decades.
Denial — When documentary filmmaker, Derek Hallquist, turns his camera to his father an Energy CEO for the insiders view of our fossil fuel vs. renewable debate, they both learn the deeper truth. Join their family in a psychological struggle with reality as they come together in acceptance.
Guest Speaker – Welcome Christine Hallquist!
NYPA and Pride in Power ERG is honored to host Christine Hallquist. Christine Hallquist is a politician and former CEO of Vermont Electric Cooperative. She is the first openly transgender major-party nominee for governor in the United States, winning the 2018 Democratic nomination for Governor of Vermont with over 40% of the vote.
Nike
Global
- A virtual workshop with Human Rights Campaign (HRC) focused on use of pronouns and resources to support LGBTQIA+ allyship and inclusion
- A discussion on the topic of transgender and gender-expansive kids
- A virtual town hall to learn more about community partners
- Nike Athlete panel discussion
Japan
- Japan will celebrate the launch of Nike’s BETRUE footwear and apparel collection with a Q&A featuring Nike employees
Nike Pacific
- Nike Pacific will host an interactive training and educational session. The team will also hold a range of other activities including an all-employee café meeting; a Nike Pacific podcast celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture and achievements; and a celebration happy hour with music trivia to close out the month.
Boston
- The Converse Pride Network will host a number of events, including ‘What’s the Tea?’ – virtual discussions focusing on LGBTQIA+ topics
Amsterdam and EMEA
- The PRIDE Network in EMEA will celebrate the 10th anniversary of PRIDE EMEA through various activities, including virtual workshops, discussions, networking events and fun activities
Northern Trust
Below is the planned programming for Pride Month at Northern Trust.
The NT Pride Business Resource Council (employee resource group) at Northern Trust will be focusing their Pride Month activities on providing virtual opportunities for engagement, learning and community building.
In addition to a welcome message from the Executive Sponsor, the below programming has been planned:
- Weekly WebEx series entitled “Breaking Down the Acronym.” With a different theme each week, we will deconstruct the LGBTQ+ acronym through both internal and external discussions.
- Well-being event: co-sponsoring a Mental Health seminar in partnership with two of our other Business Resource Councils to support our employees.
- Networking: we will host a virtual networking event at the end of the month to create a connection across locations and provide an opportunity to share experiences.
- Virtual volunteering opportunity: This Pride season we are partnering with the LGBTQ organization SageConnect to connect over the phone with LGBT elders.
Now, more than ever, we need to come together and show our support for a trailblazing community who has paved the way for us to enjoy the many social freedoms we have today.
Pearson
Here is what is going on around Pearson this month. Happy Pride!:
Though Pride celebrations look a bit different this year, Pearson employees around the world involved in our LGBTQ+ ERG, Pearson Spectrum, are focusing their celebrations on building community, staying healthy, and having some much-needed fun.
- Colleagues from Pearson Online Blended Services (OBL) Spectrum chapter are running a virtual mindfulness session on June 2, running an “LGBT+ 101” course with extended Q&A session, running a game ‘night’ via Jackbox, and are hosting a discussion on the book “Queer: A Graphic History.”
- In Arizona, Pride month will kick off with a wellness talk for all Pearson employees, followed by participation in and discussion about the Human Rights Campaign PRIDE 2020 Web Series, “Rice Up and Celebrate!” Additionally, a wellness-focused series on Pearson’s intranet for employees to share “What Makes you Happy / What’s Keeping you Sane.”
- Spectrum Illinois will be spotlighting stories from the podcast “Making Gay History” in a weekly email and intranet blog post. The spirit of Pride will be felt during a “Dance ‘n’ Learn” party where a short presentation will be followed by – what else? – a virtual dance party featuring music by queer artists with prizes for best dressed and best dance moves
- In Iowa, Spectrum members will be watching and discussing the 8-part mini-series, “When We Rise” about LGBTQ+ rights advocacy. The mini-series provides a vehicle through which both upsetting and uplifting moments in history can be discussed, and also provides a much-needed opportunity to get together in such an uncertain time.
- Spectrum UK is providing members and allies with Pride-related Zoom and Microsoft Teams backgrounds to celebrate all month long. In an effort to grow their network of allies, Spectrum UK invites colleagues to submit anonymous questions focused on “What I’ve Always Wanted to Know,” which gives the opportunity to dispel myths in a safe and respectful way. This will lead into a follow-up discussion where colleagues can focus on creating a more inclusive workplace.
Qualcomm
Qualcomm has a lot going on:
- Flag Raising – The Flags will be raised on June 1 with an email going out to affinity members with some historical points about Pride and a video of last year’s flag raising, plus a schedule of events for Pride month and beyond. Events team is taking pictures of the flags and they will be featured in future communications.
- Cambridge, UK eQuality – Quiz Night with the Kite Trust donating Prizes for the winning team
- Video contest – Kick off on June 1: “what pride means to me” will use for SD Pride’s video submission.
- Out & Equal — Pride Month Kickoff: A Virtual Town Hall webinar
- June 3rd at 4pm PT — Virtual BINGO night with the fabulous insideOUT co-owner and superstar, Paris Sukomi Max!! raising money for San Diego Pride and donating prizes.
- TBD — San Diego LGBT History Trivia night Qualcomm hosting
- June 17 — Kristin Beck: The Most Important Label of All (Virtual Webinar)
- Pride kits — sending out Pride Kits for eQuality members to celebrate virtually and use them in their videos. (Qualcomm Branded – Brandana, Socks, Bag, Flag, Bracelets, eQuality Flyer)
- We have an internal website: eQuality Pride page
- Virtual Pride dance party (Date TBD) – inviting other companies and Pride Orgs
- Monthly on-campus break that will be PRIDE themed
- June 23 Virtual Pride Webinar from Diversity Best Practices
Santander
Santander US has a Diversity & Inclusion Initiative that helps employees from every background feel valued and enabled to contribute and grow at our company.
We have seven active employee networks that are open to all employees, including the Embrace Employee Network that strives to foster a safe workplace for LGBTQ colleagues and allies where everyone is respected and can do their best work and be themselves.
During June’s Pride Month, Embrace is sharing communications with employees on our Intranet sites to educate and celebrate the LBGTQ community, while raising awareness on common challenges the community faces.
To show support, Santander is inviting colleagues to add the rainbow Santander logo and pronouns to their email signatures.
We are also encouraging our colleagues to share their support for Pride on their social channels by tagging their Santander entity and including #RespectAddsUp.
To engage our customers, we have a message in our branches and on our ATM screens that reads: “Respect. You don’t earn it. You deserve it.”
For the past several years, Santander has been a proud supporter of Pride Parades in cities like Boston and New York, and in other locations across the U.S. where Santander has a presence.
Even though the Pride Parades are canceled this year, we are hosting a “virtual pride” and asking colleagues to submit photos from previous years. This will give us the opportunity to recognize and reflect on the value of the parades, and encourage colleagues to participate in next year’s events.
Sodexo USA
As we embark on LGBTQ+ Pride Month, it is critical to focus efforts on this community who is yet again stigmatized and isolated. Sodexo’s PRIDE Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) chose the theme “communiTIES” to highlight current issues and the ways their members, including allies, can strengthen ties with the communities.
During the third week of May, LGBTQ+ employees shared compelling stories during two global webinars to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia
and Biphobia (IDAHOTB). More than 1000 participants from 12 countries received a call to action for the support and protection of the LGBTQ+ community.
Additionally, two of Sodexo’s EBRGs, PRIDE and PANG (Pan-Asian Network Group), partnered with Out & Equal to offer a webinar entitled “Staying Connected: Supporting
Inclusion and Belonging in China” in which Out & Equal and Shanghai PRIDE showed solidarity, provided motivation and encouraged connections as they push forward in
their LGBTQ workplace inclusion efforts.
Our inclusion efforts transcend beyond Federal Heritage Months, in particular LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June.
Throughout the year, our regional chapters have engaged in numerous events and fundraisers that help to address food and housing insecurities
Verizon
Verizon’s theme for Pride month was “Voices of Pride,” highlighting the voices of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Verizon invited employees to participate in a number of virtual events and volunteer opportunities throughout the month.
Verizon partnered with BUILD Studios by Yahoo! for a publicly broadcasted episode of “The X Change Rate” with host Monet X Change. This special episode included a policy-focused panel discussion with leaders and national LGBTQ community organizations, including HRC, PFLAG, OutRight International, and the Harvey Milk Foundation. The panel addressed critical issues impacting the LGBTQ community in the U.S. and internationally.
Throughout the month, Verizon’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) Prism of Verizon – Lead with pride, hosted a number of local virtual Pride walks and volunteer opportunities, including a letter-writing initiative for LGBTQ+ youth through Kaleidoscope and LGBTQ Youth Crisis Counseling through The Trevor Project.
To wrap the month up, Prism hosted a Day of Pride virtual broadcast featuring a number of voices within the LGBTQ+ community, including external partners from PFLAG, The Phluid Project, Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project, and NGLCC, and V Teamers throughout the organization.
Wells Fargo
STORYTELLING
The first week of June, an article on Teamworks and Wells Fargo Stories will publish that highlights how the company first started supporting the LGBTQ community (more than 30 years ago) and how the PRIDE Team Member Network (TMN) was established.
The article includes a video interview with Tim Hanlon, former head of the Wells Fargo Foundation, and his role in helping establish the company’s leadership in this space.
The second week of June, Wells Fargo Viewpoints will publish a post from Gregory Lewis, the CEO and Executive Director of True Colors United about the LGBTQ homeless youth population.
Pre-COVID-19, 40% of the homeless population identified as LGBTQ. In an environment where LGBTQ protections are being rolled back, some members of the LGBTQ homeless population are being discriminated against (when seeking housing and homeless services). This article will also mention funding provided through the Wells Fargo Foundation to support True Colors.
At the end of the month, a Teamworks and Wells Fargo Stories article will feature members of our Toronto, Canada PRIDE TMN.
Toronto Pride, which was cancelled due to COVID-19, would have been our first year as a participant. In the article our colleagues in that market talk about how they will celebrate and we will also highlight the way the company is engaging employees around the globe.
We’ll also have a number of line of business and PRIDE TMN communications and storytelling efforts throughout the month of June. One particular article of interest will highlight how the company has added the transgender flag to our existing Pride Collection of customized debit card designs on Wells Fargo Card Design Studio.
Be on the lookout for that story and other ways to engage during Pride Month.
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
Sharing historical photos: In partnership with the Wells Fargo History and Archives teams, we are seeking historical photos and other LGBTQ memorabilia showing employees participating and volunteering in Pride Month events where Wells Fargo was a participant or sponsor.
Employees should email images to Wells Fargo Corporate Archives and include ‘Historical Pride materials’ in the subject line and specific information about the image. With the proper permissions, certain photos may also be included in the Wells Fargo Archives, making them an official part of the company’s history.
Showing your creativity: Employees are invited to create a shoebox parade float to celebrate the LGBTQ and Ally community. ‘Floats’ can be constructed out of shoeboxes (or bigger boxes/wagons) and all materials are encouraged. Paper, cardboard, Legos, action figures, Wells Fargo ponies, beads, glitter, and more – anything is possible!
Construction for and photography of each float must be completed by Monday, June 15, for participation in the Shoebox PRIDE TMN Parade video montage. Anyone interested can register here. To view examples of shoebox floats, visit PRIDE Team Moments*.
Showing your Pride: Employees are encouraged to dress in their Pride attire and take a selfie to share on PRIDE Team Moments. Employees may also want to create a poster or banner to identify where they are located and to include any other (appropriate) celebratory message to demonstrate their pride and to engage and inspire others.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We are also partnering with the Wells Fargo social media team to cast the nets on the external front for historic photos.
Our hope is that we’ll be able to reach retired and former colleagues as well as community partners and customers who might have photos to share. So please help spread the word within your circles if you think anyone in your networks might have photos to share.
We expect external stories to be posted here.
Western Digital
Did you know Western Digital honors Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month every year? This year the company is:
- Creating a video that highlights some selected instrumental LGBTQ
- moments in history.
- Changing its logo colorization to rainbow across its @westerndigital
- channels and websites.
- Delivering a virtual pride parade with partnering organizations, such as
- Silicon Valley Pride and running a #ShareYourPride contest.
- Promoting the month, highlighting its LGBTQ business resource group,
- and blogging with partners such as Wired.com.
- Hanging rainbow flags at its largest campuses in Irvine, Great Oaks,
- Milpitas and Israel.
You can see what Western Digital is doing throughout June by following the Western Digital blog.
Happy Pride Month!
