June marks the arrival of Pride Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and honoring the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. Celebrating Pride in the workplace fosters inclusion and belonging among employees.
Here are a few tips for employers and employees to celebrate and show their solidarity with the LBGTQ+ community during Pride Month and throughout the year.
For Employers
Create an inclusive work culture
- Update your employee handbook to reflect non-discrimination and zero tolerance policies. This is also a good time to put together an official non-discrimination and zero tolerance policy if you don’t already have one, here are some tips.
- Provide regular inclusivity training opportunities for your team members. Insist on language that is not offensive; educate employees and create an environment of ongoing learning.
- Reinforce your company’s code of conduct—for example during annual meetings—stating that discrimination will not be tolerated in the workplace.
- Avoid putting the spotlight on specific employees and be mindful that many members of the LGBTQ+ community don’t feel safe or comfortable sharing their sexuality with others.
Make Inclusivity a Conversation
- Does your office bring in guest speakers? Consider planning a lunch-and-learn session or all-company meeting on the topics of inclusivity, diversity and acceptance.
- Host an inclusion workshop for a training session led by a facilitator for LGBTQ+ equality.
- Consider hosting a book club focusing on books written by LGBTQ+ authors or creating a shared playlist where staff members can share their favorite song by an LGBTQ+ artist.
Take Action
- Consider joining a community walk or organize your own charity fundraiser to support the LGBTQ+ community.
- Partner with a LGBTQ+ nonprofit on a community service project and supply corporate volunteers.
- Decorate your office in Pride colors. Not only is it fun, but it will also demonstrate that the office is a safe space for employees to disclose their sexual orientation without risking discrimination.
- Display your public support—consider seasonally switching your corporate logo on social media platforms or develop a post strategy to show your support.
For Employees
Celebrate and get involved
There are year-round opportunities to get involved in events and volunteer opportunities that celebrate inclusivity. Here are just a few of the available options in Hawaii:
- The Honolulu AIDS Walk is held annually in June.
- Kauai Pride and Hawaii Island LGBTQ Pride are both annually celebrated in June.
- Honolulu Pride and Aloha Maui Pride celebrate Pride in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day and LGBT History Month.
- Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival returns annually and is one of the longest-running and most respected LGBTQ film festivals in the country.
- Volunteer and make a difference with the Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center, Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation, or Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation.
Commemorate Inclusivity
Put together a Diversity and Inclusivity Committee to bring awareness and create common ground in the workplace and beyond.
- Host a movie night featuring LGBTQ+ movies.
- Start a book club and include LGBTQ+ literature.
These important calls to action not only celebrate diversity and inclusion, but also set the table for coming together as a community. Now, get out there and celebrate!
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June marks the arrival of Pride Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and honoring the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. Celebrating Pride in the workplace fosters inclusion and belonging among employees.
Here are a few tips for employers and employees to celebrate and show their solidarity with the LBGTQ+ community during Pride Month and throughout the year.
For Employers
Create an inclusive work culture
- Update your employee handbook to reflect non-discrimination and zero tolerance policies. This is also a good time to put together an official non-discrimination and zero tolerance policy if you don’t already have one, here are some tips.
- Provide regular inclusivity training opportunities for your team members. Insist on language that is not offensive; educate employees and create an environment of ongoing learning.
- Reinforce your company’s code of conduct—for example during annual meetings—stating that discrimination will not be tolerated in the workplace.
- Avoid putting the spotlight on specific employees and be mindful that many members of the LGBTQ+ community don’t feel safe or comfortable sharing their sexuality with others.
Make Inclusivity a Conversation
- Does your office bring in guest speakers? Consider planning a lunch-and-learn session or all-company meeting on the topics of inclusivity, diversity and acceptance.
- Host an inclusion workshop for a training session led by a facilitator for LGBTQ+ equality.
- Consider hosting a book club focusing on books written by LGBTQ+ authors or creating a shared playlist where staff members can share their favorite song by an LGBTQ+ artist.
Take Action
- Consider joining a community walk or organize your own charity fundraiser to support the LGBTQ+ community.
- Partner with a LGBTQ+ nonprofit on a community service project and supply corporate volunteers.
- Decorate your office in Pride colors. Not only is it fun, but it will also demonstrate that the office is a safe space for employees to disclose their sexual orientation without risking discrimination.
- Display your public support—consider seasonally switching your corporate logo on social media platforms or develop a post strategy to show your support.
For Employees
Celebrate and get involved
There are year-round opportunities to get involved in events and volunteer opportunities that celebrate inclusivity. Here are just a few of the available options in Hawaii:
- The Honolulu AIDS Walk is held annually in June.
- Kauai Pride and Hawaii Island LGBTQ Pride are both annually celebrated in June.
- Honolulu Pride and Aloha Maui Pride celebrate Pride in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day and LGBT History Month.
- Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival returns annually and is one of the longest-running and most respected LGBTQ film festivals in the country.
- Volunteer and make a difference with the Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center, Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation, or Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation.
Commemorate Inclusivity
Put together a Diversity and Inclusivity Committee to bring awareness and create common ground in the workplace and beyond.
- Host a movie night featuring LGBTQ+ movies.
- Start a book club and include LGBTQ+ literature.
These important calls to action not only celebrate diversity and inclusion, but also set the table for coming together as a community. Now, get out there and celebrate!
Sign up for our newsletter
Sign up for our monthly HIVE newsletter and get tips for finding a job, managing a business and advancing your career right in your inbox.