How These Companies Are Celebrating Pride (Virtually!) in 2020
In a year that has been marked by so much change, uncertainty, and devastation, it's never been more important to celebrate everything that Pride stands for: self-affirmation, dignity, and equality.
Here's how 22 of our partner companies are keeping the spirit of Pride alive in their workplaces, reminiscing about Pride celebrations and parades from years past, and most importantly, advocating for equality for LGBTQ+ individuals this month and all year round:
PwC
"At PwC, we are committed to a culture of belonging where diverse individuals can form a genuine community. Pride Month is an opportunity for the firm and our people to demonstrate that purpose and inclusion. Throughout June, external articles, #PwCPride social media, and a video will feature PwCers courageously sharing their coming-out stories, highlighting supportive benefits and explaining why they can bring their whole selves to work.
We also look forward to virtually celebrating with various activities focused on advocating, educating, and entertaining during Pride Month.The PwC US National Shine Committee will be hosting a Pride trivia night, fundraising for AIDS/LifeCycle, and streaming a national Pride Month webcast."
Learn more about PwC here.
Flatiron Health, Inc.
"Though we can't be together in-person this Pride, we can still strengthen our community and bring it together. While we are hosting virtual events, including a cooking class and a panel, we are placing an emphasis on recognizing our history, remembering the BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) and TGNC (Trans/Gender Non-Conforming) folx who led uprisings against police brutality and violence. We are educating ourselves and our allies on systemic racism and appropriation within our LGBTQ+ community, and determining actions we can take to ensure long-lasting change."
Learn more about Flatiron Health, Inc here.
Bristol Myers Squibb
"Our team has developed a set of virtual activities that promise to be engaging, informative, and fun, all aligned with our four priorities for the year: Addressing Covering and Inclusion in the workplace through our Keynote storytelling event, supporting colleagues' professional development, advancing external recruiting through social media, and educating our workforce on the work BMS is supporting to positively impact LGBTQ+ health disparities. We'll also create a virtual mosaic pride flag from pictures our members submit that we'll reveal at the end of June!"
Learn more about Bristol Myers Squibb here.
PagerDuty
"PagerDuty has long celebrated Pride, and our colleagues look forward to Pride Week each year. Our challenge: how can we give them the same great experience when everyone is working from home? Our RainbowDuty employee resource group looked at the past events and found some that are Zoom-friendly: our always-popular panel discussion and our screening of selected TED talks. We also adapted some of our other activities - our "wear a Pride color" events changed to "color your Zoom background", for example. And we replaced some events, such as our happy hours, with more virtual-friendly activities like a trivia night."
Learn more about PagerDuty here.
Freddie Mac
"Freddie Mac - Celebrating Pride Month Virtually at Freddie Mac - Our Pride employee resource group (ERG) is hosting virtual activities and programs throughout Pride Month to celebrate and honor the diversity of our community. In lieu of the 2020 Pride Parade, Pride ERG members will showcase what Pride means to them in a virtual parade of Tik Tok videos and other talents streamed via Microsoft Teams. Mid-month, Pride is teaming up with our Working Parents ERG to host an LGBTQ+ parenting panel that covers everything from advice around children coming out to their family to understanding Freddie Mac's adoption benefits — and more. Later in the month, we're bringing in bi+ activist and speaker Robin Ochs to lead a training on the bisexual, pansexual and fluid employee experience in the workplace based on data from her studies."
Learn more about Freddie Mac here.
Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT)
"TpT is celebrating Pride Month with a number of events and experiences led by Flora, ourLGBTQ Employee Resource Group. This year, like the rest of the world, we're going virtual! The group will organize everything from Pride events to a panel discussion featuring a few LGBTQ members from our 150k+ seller community.
Additionally, our marketing team is assembling branded blog posts and features with our greater community of 6M+ educators."
Learn more about TpT here.
Quip
- Trivia through Kahoot and topics include
- Pop culture references - 80s/90s
- LGBTQ Celebrities
- Rupaul's Drag Race
- Wearing rainbow the entire day
- Sharing a Pride playlist for people to enjoy
- Host a Quip LGBTQ panel with volunteers and moderator."
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Watch the video above to learn more about support for LGTBQ+ employees and past pride celebrations at National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Learn more about National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency here.
Kin + Carta
"Kin + Carta is celebrating Pride with a theme of #YouUsMeWe which calls on each of us to reach out and understand one another, demanding us to be better allies within our communities. Themes of intersectionality have been incorporated into every piece of our celebrations — educating our Kin on the existing intersections within the LGBTQIA+ community (race, gender, socioeconomic class, age, disability, etc.) Kin + Carta has planned an allyship workshop, a panel discussion, a pub quiz, and educational materials for employees. These Pride events and materials are intended to strengthen the ways we support and advocate for one another at Kin + Carta."
Learn more about Kin + Carta here.
Elastic
"Historically, Pride is celebrated with large outdoor events around the world. Due to the current pandemic, we're doing things a little differently this year. Elastic's Source Code invites employees to come "As YOU Are" to Elastic, so we've created Pride-themed Zoom backgrounds for folks to download to celebrate our LGBTQA+ employees virtually throughout the month of June. Elastic is also matching our employee donations to LGBTQIA + organizations throughout the month of June. To learn more about about our Pride celebrations read this blog post → https://go.es.io/2XzwgPB"
Learn more about Elastic here.
Spotify
"At Spotify, our Pride theme this year is "Unlike Any Other." Now more than ever this theme rings true. On our platform, we welcome back the Pride Hub for playlists and podcasts that amplify LGBTQAI + creators and, in particular, Queer Black voices via our "The House of…" playlists. In addition our Kids App will be featuring a Pride playlist this year called, Love is Love, aimed to inspire self acceptance. For our employees we're doing a day long virtual celebration and have rolled out special Pride email signatures, Zoom backgrounds and pronoun stickers. We will continue to celebrate Pride all year in our different markets around the world. Follow @spotifyjobs on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram."
Learn more about Spotify here.
MongoDB
"MongoDB is hosting a session to amplify intersectional voices within the LGBTQ+ community. This is part of "Decoding Inclusion," an internal series aimed at building community and sharing foundational knowledge about D&I topics to further our understanding of differences. There are two affinity groups that aim to maintain a safe space for the community; Queeries, for those identifying as LGBTQ+ or questioning, and Underrepresented Genders in Tech (UGT) for people of underrepresented genders in technical roles. This June, MongoDB will also host events for employees around the globe, including "The ABCs of LGBT+," drag bingo, and more."
Learn more about MongoDB here.
T. Rowe Price
"T. Rowe Price is offering virtual Pride experiences globally. We are connecting our associates to Global Pride 2020, a virtual celebration of Pride featuring musical performances, speeches, and key messages from human rights activists across the globe. Associates are also participating in the Denver Virtual Pride Parade, through a video montage. For the first time ever, the T. Rowe Price headquarters will display rainbow lights in support of our associates, friends, and family members in the LGBTQ+ starting June 15th. The firm continues to match associates' donations to nonprofits that address key issues important to the LBGT community."
Learn more about T. Rowe Price here.
S&P Global
"In celebration of Pride Month, Spectrum, S&P Global's LGBTQ+ & Friends Employee Resource Group, is hosting several virtual events to mark the occasion. Spectrum's Mexico City chapter will lead a discussion for employees across North America and Latin America on building a more inclusive world. Spectrum's Singapore chapter will host a virtual lunch for their members the day prior to the Singapore Pink Dot celebration. In addition, S&P Global will share profiles of our LGBTQ+ colleagues internally and on social media. All of our actions and messages to mark Pride Month are in solidarity with the members of our Black community at this critical time."
Learn more about S&P Global here.
Priceline
"Last year, employees from Priceline, as well as our parent and sister companies, marched together in the Pride Parade in New York.
This year, Priceline will be honoring Pride Month by incorporating it in Project QuaranTEAM (Quarantine Engagement Program). Next week, we are asking employees to include rainbow colors in their Zoom backgrounds as well as dress up in tie-dye and/or rainbow colors on Wednesday (Wednesday is Priceline Pride Day). We wish everyone a healthy, safe and happy Pride Month!"
Learn more about Priceline here.
Karat, Inc.
"Last month, Karat unveiled a new candidate feature that asks candidates their preferred pronouns. Below are a couple of quotes from the team addressing why this was an important project to prioritize this year, and how we went about making the changes to be as inclusive and sensitive as possible: "We've all been on the candidate side at least once if not many many times. We apply, interview, and all the while hope that not only are we communicating ourselves in our most authentic versions but that we're being accepted and celebrated too. Karat plays such a fundamental role in that process. We have the opportunity to lean into our candidates' stories and lift them up. The pronoun selector is just one of many ways we try to recognize and celebrate our candidates to ensure they're recognized and celebrated at work." - Irena Lam (she/her), Karat Senior Product Manager
"All interviews are at heart a conversation, the hopeful start of a long working relationship. Accurately recording a candidate's name and pronouns is a small part of building a healthy work relationship, one that not only sets up coworkers to gracefully meet and refer to a new hire without hesitation or confusion or embarrassment but also sets up new hires to shine and contribute their full potential." - Lusen Mendel (they/them), Karat Director of Developer Relations
"Our design team researched extensively to ensure we approached this feature with intention and care. We learned it's key not just to know exactly why we're asking for it but to communicate that transparently with the candidate. English as a second language was another important perspective our product designer considered, to ensure our language was clear for folks more familiar with English pronouns or less." - Irena Lam (she/her), Karat Senior Product Manager
Learn more about Karat, Inc. here.
Deloitte LLP
"Across the country, Deloitte's Inclusion Councils are celebrating Pride with virtual events, including a Pride-themed Zoom background contest, Pride trivia, and hosting important discussions on advancing inclusion. Our people are also supporting the LGBTQ+ community through giving and virtual volunteering."
Learn more about Deloitte LLP here.
Moody's Corporation
"Moody's strongly supports our LGBT employees and are proud to be named a top employer by the Human Rights Campaign and Stonewall UK. For Pride Month 2020, we have created a global Pride Calendar, encouraging our employers to research and learn about LGBT history each day in June. This year, as we cannot celebrate in person, we are hosting several virtual activities around the world, such as trivia nights, fireside chats and documentary screenings, as well as participating in the virtual AIDS Walk in New York City. Additionally, we are proudly displaying our rainbow Moody's logo across all online platforms."
Learn more about Moody's Corporation here.
Lattice
"Although bummed we can't celebrate Pride with in-person events, we are excited to try it virtually. Latticians have put together the following events for Lattice:
- MasterClass: "RuPaul Teaches Self-Expression and Authenticity"
- Pride Happy Hour
- Movie Night: "How to Survive a Plague" with a discussion, and a fundraiser."
Learn more about Lattice here.
Relativity LLC
"At Relativity, our LGBTQ+ focused Community Resource Group, Relativity Pride, has planned for a month full of programming to celebrate and recognize Pride Month. From social media posts in our Pride gear, a trivia night, and special Zoom backgrounds, to a panel about Allies and how they can contribute to experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, it will be a month of learning, supporting, and sharing stories, with celebration mixed in. In addition to our internal plans, Relativity is a sponsor of the Lesbians Who Tech Global Pride Summit on June 22-26."
Learn more about Relativity LLC here.
Raytheon Intelligence & Space
"During Pride month, we commemorate the positive impact that the LGBTQ community has had on society. We are proud to see Raytheon Intelligence & Space create a culture of inclusion so everyone can bring their whole self to work,"- David Broadbent and Eric Ditmars, Raytheon Intelligence & Space executive diversity champions
Learn more about Raytheon Intelligence & Space here.
Guru Technologies
"This Pride Month, we're celebrating the people that made LGBTQ+ history, those who took on the fight for equal rights that we continue today. These groundbreaking heroes made art, policy, and culture that changed this country for the better. As part of Guru's ongoing commitment to fight racism, we are specifically celebrating the Black heroes who are often overlooked in LGBTQ+ history. We've created several Zoom backgrounds to help celebrate."
You can view the Zoom backgrounds and learn more about some of the heroes Guru is celebrating here.
Learn more about Guru Technologies here.
How To Celebrate Pride at Work
1. Build a Culture of Belonging & Authenticity - Autodesk
Why are you proud to work at Autodesk?
"At Autodesk, our culture is built around a sense of belonging and authenticity. I am proud to work here because there is no expectation to fit into a box, and endless support for being your truest self in all aspects of your life."
- Charlotte Hollingsworth, Autodesk LUMA Program Specialist
How does Autodesk's Pride Network support LGBTQ+ employees?
Autodesk Pride Network supports a positive working environment in which LGBTQ+ employees feel comfortable and valued, and can contribute to their full potential.
Learn more about Autodesk and their open roles here.
2. #BeYourself - Dell
Why are you proud to work at Dell EMC?
"I am proud to work at Dell because working here provides the environment to be open about who I am. Dell has given me the strength and empowerment to stand up, have a voice, and be a leader in our Pride Employee Resource Group. This is the first employer in my career that I have been able to be totally comfortable and feel supported." #beyourself #Iwork4Dell
- Gabe Rodarte- Miller, Talent Acquisition Sales Recruiter and North America Dell Pride ERG Culture Lead
How is Dell celebrating Pride?
"Diversity is the fabric of Dell Culture Code. It's not what we do, but it's who we are. Dell Pride is celebrating Pride Month, not just as an ERG, but as a company. A company that wants to empower everyone to #beyourself, creating a culture where all team members belong and encouraging innovation in new ways."
Learn more about Dell EMC and their open roles here.
3. Show Compassion and a Desire To Learn - Symantec
Symantec Employees Marching in the Pride Parade in Pune, India
Sudhanshu Pandit, VP of HR, Sandeep Kanabar, Principal Software Engineer, and C Moulee, Principal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist
Why are you proud to work at Symantec?
"As a queer transgender man I am proud to work at Symantec because I am valued for who I am and what I bring to the table – not any of my identity labels (real or assumed). Because when I transitioned on the job 10 years ago they embraced me fully and were committed to making my process as smooth and easy as possible. Because they have shown compassion and a real desire to learn so that they can do the right thing. Because I started in this company as an antivirus phone technician and am now a Global Program Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This type of internal career change is only possible when a company sees value in developing an employee's natural skills and interests – creating a culture where people can truly feel like they belong. I have pride in Symantec because Symantec has pride in me."
- Cass Averil, Global Program Manager
How is Symantec celebrating Pride?
Symantec has pride and we're excited to let our employees show you how. Our active and engaged LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group is celebrating pride across the globe this year through activities such as: having LGBTQ+ movie screenings, hosting fireside chats with LGBTQ+ leaders, organizing LGBTQ+ history informational campaigns, partnering with local organizations to host workshops around LGTBQ+ inclusion, and walking in pride parades around the globe. We don't just say we have pride, we act on it.
Learn more about Symantec and their open roles here.
4. Celebrate Uniqueness - BuzzFeed
Why are you proud to work at BuzzFeed?
"Celebrating individuality and personal identity is built into the DNA of BuzzFeed. I see it every day when I get to work with a diverse group of brilliant creatives who make content that not only connects with a massive global audience, but also represents and celebrates their uniqueness."
- Tommy Wesely, executive sponsor of OUT NY
How is BuzzFeed celebrating Pride?
BuzzFeed's OUT ERGs in LA and NY are sponsoring Pride Month happy hours for the office and are coordinating meet-ups at various citywide parades and festivities. OUT NY is also sponsoring a party with Twitter & BuzzFeed to celebrate AM2DM's weekly Pride Episodes throughout June.
Learn more about BuzzFeed and their open roles here.
5. Take Pride in Yourself - L3 Technologies
L3 lives by the motto, "Pride in ourselves. Pride in our company. Pride in our community."
How Does Pride3 Support LGBTQ+ employees?
"Pride3 unifies and celebrates L3 CSW's LGBTQ+ employee base by providing a safe and welcoming environment through education, development, recruiting, and resources to advance our personal and corporate success."
Learn more about L3 and their open roles here.
6. Bring Your Authentic Self to Work - Yelp
Why are you proud to work at Yelp?
Because I can bring my authentic self to work every day.
- Shannon S., Technical Recruiter at Yelp
Yelp supports the LGBTQ+ community year round with their OUTburst ERG.
Learn more about Yelp and their open roles here.
7. Build a Community of Tolerance, Acceptance, and Education - Zynga
Why are you proud to work at Zynga?
"My time at Zynga is spent driving marketing moments for one of our largest forever franchise games in the Zynga portfolio. While marketing is a passion of mine, being able to lead the zPRIDE ERG at Zynga has allowed me to focus on driving change for my community and lead initiatives that can improve the experience for all LGBTQ+ Zyngites. An additional win is the ability to drive conversation and assist in educating allies on the LGBTQ+ topics that often aren't discussed and how they affect the community. The ability to be involved and provide value outside of my day to day role is why I love working at Zynga!"
- Giuliano Formilan
Can you tell us more about zPRIDE and how you're celebrating?
zPRIDE is an inclusive LGBTQ+ employee resource group at Zynga focused on building a community of tolerance, acceptance, and education around LGBTQ+ topics that support the Zynga workforce. Activities zPRIDE is currently working on are building community relations with organizations such as Equality California and HRC, professional development and internal policy opportunities, along with education for allies of the community around LGBTQ+ topics.
Learn more about Zynga and their open roles here.
8. Express Yourself & Speak Up About What Can Be Done Better - Vrbo
Why are you proud to work at Vrbo?
"I'm proud to work at a company where I feel comfortable to express myself and encouraged to also speak up when I feel like there are ways we can continue to improve our culture."
– Juliana Leon, Software Engineer
Can you tell us more about the Vrbo Pride affinity group?
Vrbo Pride is an inclusive group of employees who identify with or are supportive of LGBTQ+ issues. The Vrbo Pride affinity group encourages employees to bring their full, authentic self to work, allowing for a safe and inclusive working environment that enables people to perform at their best. This group gives a voice to, and advocates for, the LGBTQIA+ members of our workplace and welcomes allies. Vrbo Pride also creates possibilities for networking and community within a safe and supportive work environment
It aims to:
- Foster an environment of inclusion, safety, and understanding at Vrbo.
- Provide an anchor in the community to advocate and educate our colleagues at Vrbo and in those in our local communities.
- Promote diversity and recognize the value each person brings to the Vrbo team.
- Attract and retain a diverse workforce.
- Give back to the Austin community through service projects, hosting events at our offices, and other inclusive activities.
What are some of the activities that the Vrbo Pride affinity group participates in?
- Partnered with Maven, a non-profit that empowers LGBTQ Youth through tech, to host 20 students at Vrbo to introduce them to a career in technology
- Hosted the Startout HackOut Hackathon, one of the only LGBTQ hackathons in the country
- Participates in the Austin Pride Parade annually
- Organizes and participates in panels and important discussions about diversity
What's something the Vrbo affinity group has done that you're really proud of?
The group worked with our Facilities team in the planning and design of our new office. There are gender neutral bathrooms available on every other floor to provide a better experience for our transgender and non-binary employees.
How is Vrbo celebrating Pride?
- Vrbo Pride is displaying historical LGBTQ+ figures and facts around the office to educate and inform employees
- Expedia Cares, Expedia Group's global philanthropy and corporate social responsibility program, declared June Pride month with double-matching on LGBTQIA donations
- Vrbo has updated our social media avatars with a rainbow Vrbo logo to celebrate Pride
- Vrbo will once again participate in the Austin Pride Parade that takes place in August
9. Provide an Inclusive Space - Fidelity Investments
Why are you proud to work at Fidelity?
"I am proud to work for Fidelity Investments, a company that not only values employees' individual differences, but celebrates diversity and authenticity. The Fidelity Pride ERG has provided a network and space of inclusivity for both me and my family."
- Jacqui Lucero, Fidelity Pride Employee Resource Group - National Co-Chair
Can you tell us more about Fidelity Pride?
Fidelity Pride is more than a connection to other lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allies at Fidelity. Our work impacts the entire business, providing guidance on reaching new LGBTA markets and influencing our consumer campaigns. We're an engine of change, a force for continuing acceptance and a powerful light, helping members gain visibility for developmental and leadership opportunities. Here, you can network, support other LGBTA organizations, mentor and reach your full potential – all while being uniquely you. This is the very definition of pride.
Learn more about Fidelity and their open roles here.
10. Make Respect a Core Company Value - Raytheon
Why are you proud to work at Raytheon?
"I'm proud to work for company that values its employees and has shown visible support of LGBTQ people again and again, not only within the company but out in the communities where we live."
- Sr. Mgr
"I love working for Raytheon where leadership and company values require that you treat all people with respect. I'm judged based on my work, not who I am married to. Working for Raytheon has enabled me to be very productive and much more successful in my career because I can bring my whole self to work."
- Director
"I am proud to work at Raytheon because of the importance of the work we do, the commitment our senior leadership demonstrates regarding diversity & inclusion, and the personal support I feel in bringing my entire self to work every day."
- Vice President
Learn more about Raytheon and their open roles here.
11. Do It Every. Single. Day. - Cloudflare
Why are you proud to work at Cloudflare?
"The best part of working at Cloudflare is that I get to be myself at work, not just during Pride, but every day of the year."
- Elisa Durrette, Head of Legal - Commercial Transactions, Cloudflare
Can you tell us more about Proudflare?
Cloudflare's LGBTQIA+ group is Proudflare. This group supports and provides resources for the LGBTQIA+ community both within and outside of Cloudflare to ensure the company is a welcoming and an inclusive place for all. Some activities include:
- Organizing and hosting discussion events, monthly lunches, external mixers, and pride celebrations at its headquarters in San Francisco as well as offices around the globe.
- Publishing LGBTQIA+ stories on Cloudflare's blog.
- Participating in pride celebrations and marches.
- Volunteering at local LGBTQIA+ community centers.
- Sponsoring events and conferences such as Lesbians Who Tech (LWT) San Francisco, and LWT Austin.
Learn more about Cloudlfare and their open roles here.
