Understanding the Significance of Pride Month – And Fostering Inclusivity Year-Round

As Pride Month concludes, we reflect on the significance of this annual celebration and how its principles can be sustained throughout the year. Pride Month, observed every June, commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1969 — a pivotal uprising, which marked a turning point in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. These events remind us of the movement's deep connections with broader social justice efforts and the importance of intersectionality.

Fostering an inclusive workplace

Pride Month serves as more than just a celebration; it is a time to acknowledge the contributions of LGBTQ+ pioneers while raising awareness of the ongoing challenges faced by the community. 

Here at Moveworks, this month provides an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to inclusivity — a value that not only enhances the workplace environment but also has tangible impacts on employee satisfaction and retention.

Incorporating the principles of Pride into the workplace aligns with our core company values: being action-oriented, taking ownership, encouraging allyship, and actively supporting each other.

Fostering inclusivity is also critical for employee wellbeing. In fact, employees at companies where everyone feels valued and supported are 50% less likely to leave, 56% more likely to improve their performance, and up to 167% more likely to recommend their organization as a great place to work – an award that we are proud to have recently won.

Given this, we felt it was vitally important as part of our recent Pride Month celebration to spend some time sharing how to promote inclusivity in the workplace and how to be a better ally for the LGBTQ+ community at work and in our lives.

Practical steps for being an ally

What does it mean to be an ally? It involves supporting and advocating for marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ rights and an ongoing commitment to learning, supporting, and advocating for equality and inclusion. 

Here are some tips for how to do it:

• Educate yourself about different identities, listen to diverse perspectives, and use inclusive language. 
• Respect correct pronouns, amplify marginalized voices, and actively support diversity initiatives. 
• Reflect on personal biases, be open to feedback, and speak against discriminatory behaviors. 

These actions help create a respectful and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued.

Speaking up with pride

Your LGBTQ+ coworkers may feel uncomfortable speaking up in certain situations.

That’s why as a workplace ally, you can play a crucial role in helping to amplify their voices, advocate for inclusive policies, and protect and celebrate diversity. 

If a coworker says something, whether it’s a joke that seems 'off' or something exclusionary, here are some tips for how to respond.

1. Begin by considering your goal: Do you want to educate, set a boundary, de-escalate, or just walk away? That will guide your response.

2. Assess safety & power dynamics: If you’re in a workplace or hierarchical situation, think about when and how to address it — it could be now, later in a one-on-one, or with HR.

3. Calling in and calling out: Here are different ways to engage with unintentional and inappropriate comments:

• Name it: "That comment feels inappropriate/off to me."
• Ask a question: "What did you mean by that? Can you explain that a bit more?" This shifts the burden to them to reflect or explain. 
• Use ‘I’ statements: "I felt uncomfortable when I heard that." "I don’t think that’s funny."
• Redirect and educate: "Actually, studies show that’s a misconception." 

Speaking up is essential and a part of extending allyship in the workplace well beyond Pride Month.

Other ways to stay engaged year round include integrating inclusive practices into your daily routines — such as sharing pronouns in digital communications, using gender neutral terms ('spouse' instead of 'husband', or 'folks' versus 'ladies'), participating in local LGBTQ+ events, supporting community organizations, and addressing exclusionary behavior with maturity and sensitivity.

Taking action together

Ultimately, our commitment to inclusivity and allyship fosters a more welcoming and equitable workplace culture— a shared goal that enhances both employee well-being and our organizational success. By participating in these efforts, we can contribute to a more inclusive future for everyone, honoring the legacy of Pride Month year round.

Resources to learn more.

1. Moveworks Values

2. Active Allyship Guidebook

3. Pride Month Program

4. Elevating Allyship in the Workplace

5. The Trevor Project

6. Right to Be

7. Being an LGBTQ Ally