Proud to support LGBTQ+ community with an inclusive work environment

In the last few months, the world has witnessed global emergency to situations such as standing up to fight injustice in the Black Liver Matter movement. However, amidst all this, various brands did not leave the essence of Pride Month behind. They showed their support for the LGBTQ+ community with various initiatives to help bring a change of an inclusive work environment.

June was chosen as the Pride Month to honor the LGBTQ+ community. It was in 1969 in New York that the Stonewall Riot changed their fate. The first surprise protest was taken to the streets when people broke out after the police raided a well-known gay club back in the times. The protests continued for days, and it was only a matter of time before the Gay Liberation Front and several other civil organizations were taking a stance for queer communities. Exactly a year later, a march commenced from the same point in Stonewall. It was then declared as the first official gay pride parade. In the memory of this revolution, June was turned to the month of rainbows, aka the Global Pride Month. The pride parade is not only about extravagant makeup, drag performances, and rituals. The broader concept behind celebrating Pride Month is to spread awareness about the struggles that the LGBTQ+ community members face at every step of their lives, from workplaces to households.

Pride month and initiatives by companies are showcased by supporting the United Nations Standards for LGBTI that lists down standards of conduct for tackling discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Refinitiv, VISA, PayPal, Charles Schwab Corporation, and Accenture are a few of the many financial services companies that have made it to the financial news list in terms of pride month 2020.

“Difference matters. #Pride2020 is a month for all of us to recognize our diversity. @davidwicraig, @Refinitiv CEO, highlights five things we can do to create a more inclusive world.” – tweeted Refinitiv, a global provider of financial market data and infrastructure.

Refinitiv also switched to rainbow-colored logo to show support. Their commitment to the community stands out as an act of true expression of its company’s values. Leading by example, they have also installed gender-neutral restrooms at work, offered parental leave policies to support LGBTQ+ parents, and gave them a chance to find their safe space and escape prejudice through employee network.

VISA, a financial services company, believes that Pride month is an important time to recognize LGBTQ+ community and celebrate our inclusive work environment. They organized parade marches, workshops, panel discussions and events taking place from San Francisco to Seattle to Salt Lake City.

“PayPal’s LGBTQ network, PayPal Pride, celebrates and furthers our commitment to inclusion, diversity, and support for our LGBTQ employees and allies. We host 16 chapters across six countries. In 2017, for the sixth consecutive year, PayPal earned a perfect rating of 100 percent from the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, making it one of HRC’s “Best Places to Work” for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees.” as said by PayPal.

LGBT community has been through several struggles. Looking at more industries, brands, and individuals taking a positive stance for the community shows a ray of hope for an inclusive work environment and society as a whole.