It’s June, so with that comes the bright and vibrant posts, celebrations, and discussions around Pride Month! As someone who is in this community, there is a lot of pride (pun intended!) that comes with the excitement and joy of celebrating with ourselves, our fellow LGBTQ+ friends, and our allies. But I also think that it’s important to acknowledge this Pride all year long and not just in the month of June when it’s deemed more socially acceptable to shout out your support.

I’m sure that most of us have heard of the term rainbow-washing which is when companies use Pride simply as a marketing tactic to make the appearance that they support the LGBTQ+ community when in reality, their actions don’t match what they’re outwardly showcasing. As the newer generations are coming into the workforce, they are prioritizing things such as workplace culture, employee development, and humanitarianism over higher salaries – which is why it’s more important than ever to be implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives for the long haul.

So how can companies make a real impact on fostering inclusion within their companies all year round?

1. Evaluate your internal policies/practices. Do you have non-discrimination policies in place that explicitly protect LGBTQ+ individuals? Do you have equal benefits and opportunities for your employees regardless of gender or sexual orientation? Having safeguards for people to feel safe to be themselves and know that they will be taken care of from their companies will have a massive impact on not only their satisfaction at work but their quality of work. If you want people to care about their work and the company they work for – you need to reciprocate that and show that you truly care about them. And while you are at it, review of all other marginalized peoples, as well, and make sure that your policies and initiatives are equitable for everyone.
2. Philanthropy – the desire to promote the welfare of others. In other words, showing by your actions that you care about people by putting your time and money into making a difference. By aligning yourself with reputable LGBTQ+ organizations and nonprofits, you can contribute real change while also advocating for broader social progress. More and more, people are looking for companies that are giving back and showing outward support for organizations that are trying to make a difference.
3. Advocacy and education. You don’t need to be an expert on the LGBTQ+ community but by taking some time to know and understand some of the issues that people are facing, it’s a great way to not only be an ally but to then use your voice for good and to stand up for the things that you see that need to change. If we are all involved in the conversation and work together to advocate for what is right, we’re bring compassion back into the equation which is what I believe we desperately need.

These are great ways for both companies and individuals to foster a more inclusive society and a more equitable work environment. It’s important that we’re creating an open and supportive culture for people to be themselves and share their gifts. There are so many studies on how diversity within an organization makes a positive impact on its success and that includes LGBTQ+ employees/colleagues. When we think of diversity, we need to be thinking about bring everyone to the table; race, ethnicity, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, age, and so many other life experiences that give us our own unique perspectives.

Read more about diversity and inclusion!