16 June 2021

The true meaning of Pride month

June 2021 marks the month of Pride. It is an opportunity to celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning plus (LGBTQ+) community. It is an opportunity to recognise the importance of equality for all members of the community as well as raise awareness for the history of the LGBTQ+ community. 

As we are approaching the halfway mark of June 2021 Pride month, a reflection on what this means and how brands have celebrated the month so far is beginning to come into question. The importance of pride month is about acknowledging the work that has gone on throughout the year and making sure to move forward as equals. It is an opportunity to provide a space for people to feel safe and to speak up proudly about the changes for the community. 

A history of pride legislation (1):

• 1992: WHO declared that homosexuality was not an illness
• 2001: The Netherlands became the first country to officially recognise same-sex marriage
• 2002: Homosexuality decriminalised in China
• 2002: Gay people allowed to adopt children in the UK
• 2005: Civil partnerships allowed in the UK
• 2010: Gay people allowed in the US military
• 2010: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion act in the UK protects LGBTQ+ people from discrimination
• 2013: Same-sex marriage legalised in England and Wales
• 2014: Same-sex marriage legalised in Scotland
• 2020: Same-sex marriage legalised in Northern Ireland

It is important to remember that pride month is not just about the month as a standalone, but actually what this means in developing consistent equality and ensuring that people are comfortable in supporting and speaking out about the LGBTQ+ community. 

It is important to acknowledge the impacts, both inside and outside of the workplace. Almost one in five LGBT staff (18%) have been the target of negative comments or conduct from work colleagues because they’re LGBT. And almost one in five LGBT people (18%) who were looking for work said they were discriminated against because of their identity while trying to get a job (2).

It is clear from the history that a large amount of progress has been made, although there is still plenty of change still left to go. In celebrating pride month, there are plenty of ways to respectfully acknowledge the month in your workplace including: 

• Embracing support for the LGBTQ+ community by committing to transformation day in, day out
• Champion employees and encouraging them to speak up and feel open about what they wish to talk about
• Normalize the community through talking
• Lobby for change and equality
• Make it not just about this month but to maintain change

Plenty of change has taken place, but it is important to recognise that there is still a long way to go, and acknowledgement and speaking out is the key. 

References

1. Celebrating Pride Month 2021 - FutureLearn [Internet]. FutureLearn. 2021 [cited 14 June 2021]. Available from: https://www.futurelearn.com/info/blog/pride-month-2021

2. LGBT facts and figures [Internet]. Stonewall. 2021 [cited 14 June 2021]. Available from: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/lgbt-facts-and-figures