{"id":2018,"date":"2023-06-14T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T12:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eptura.wpengine.com\/?p=2018"},"modified":"2024-09-10T00:33:43","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T04:33:43","slug":"why-celebrating-pride-matters-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eptura.com\/discover-more\/blog\/why-celebrating-pride-matters-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Why celebrating pride matters at work"},"content":{"rendered":"

Corporate support has played a crucial role in the progress of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) rights over the past two decades. Specifically, more companies celebrate Pride Month as a public gesture of support every June.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With that said, some members of the LGBTQ+ community still struggle with feeling accepted in their place of work. Leaders must address the underlying issues, such as fear and bullying, lack of social acceptance, and a need for visible allyship and DE&I policies<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People spend the majority of their time working. Pride matters not only in our personal lives, but also professional.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why we celebrate Pride month in the workplace\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Today, Pride Month is exceptionally well known. But what many people don\u2019t know is what inspired the thirty-day-long celebration. Turn the clock backward to learn how Pride and the LGBTQ+ community weren\u2019t always celebrated but instead actively targeted. <\/span><\/p>\n

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In the 1960s, police standard practice was to raid clubs known for catering to gay patrons. These brutal raids often resulted in beatings, injuries, and jail. And ultimately, they led to a terrible incident on June 28, 1969, known as the Stonewall Uprising.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That night, police targeted the Stonewall Inn in New York City, and something unexpected happened. When authorities got violent, protestors fought back. It was the beginning of spontaneous protests and demonstrations that made public the need for the entire LGBTQ+ community to be able to live freely and be accepted.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The following year, the group established the first organized LGBTQ+ rights parade. Since then, the movement has continued to grow and gain support.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, why does this matter for businesses?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pride Month is about basic fundamental human rights. LGBTQ+ employees often face hostility, and it\u2019s up to companies to provide a safe space at work. While leaders can\u2019t control what happens to their employees outside of work, they can regulate what happens during work hours.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Celebrating Pride Month in the workplace reinforces<\/span> to your employees that they are always accepted for who they are, no matter who they love or how they identify. Doing so promotes awareness and equality within the company and increases understanding of the issues faced by those in the LGBTQ+ community.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eliminate <\/span>fear and bullying<\/span><\/b> in the workplace\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Both forbid sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. While these government acts are groundbreaking, many LGBTQ+ employees still fear being \u2018out\u2019 at work.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nothing changes overnight. After a law or act is put in place, it often takes time for everyone to catch up. In the UK, 21% of LGBTQ+ professionals reported workplace discrimination and bullying. Similarly, in the US, 36% of LGBTQ+ employees said they had experienced the same issues. \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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Four out of every 10 LGBTQ+ employees experience bullying toward their personal attributes, such as appearance or gender. And 47% are the subject of gossip among<\/span> their co-workers and sometimes even leaders. Unfortunately, the negative impact isn\u2019t only emotional. One\u00a0out of 5 LGBTQ+ workers mistreated results in health-related problems, with 15% saying they called out of work due to bullying.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite this<\/span> behavior being illegal, many LGBTQ+ members stay silent, fearing that speaking up will only penalize them further. A company\u2019s job is to show its support proactively and visibly to the community. Pride Month is an excellent time for you \u2013 as a business \u2013 to promote<\/span> acceptance in the workplace by publicizing LGBTQ+ policies, hosting anti-discrimination workshops, and using content<\/span> channels to bring awareness to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lastly, you can reiterate that harassment against SOGI will not be tolerated and encourage employees to speak up if they experience it personally or witness it first-hand.<\/span>
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Promote <\/span>social acceptance<\/span><\/b> among employees\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

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\nSocial acceptance refers to an individual’s formal or informal admission into a group. For the LGBTQ+ community, it means having society positively support their sexual orientation and gender identity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Companies have the power to create workplace climates that welcome the LGBTQ+ group. A recent HRC Foundation report found 46% of LGBTQ+ employees in the US remain closeted at work, suggesting organizations have room for improvement. <\/span><\/p>\n

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So, how can businesses promote social acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the UK, the <\/span>Equality Act 2010<\/span><\/a> came into force to protect people from discrimination in the workplace, with sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) discrimination listed as protected characteristics. In 2021, the US provided similar protection with <\/span>The Equality Act<\/span><\/a>, officially ensuring that companies cannot discriminate against individuals because of their SOGI.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n