Celebrating PRIDE

As PRIDE month draws to a close, it’s important to remember that allyship for our 2SLGBTQI+ community is something that should be actively demonstrated throughout the year.   We’ve taken great strides toward making our community safer and more inclusive for all, and this includes the ever-expanding list of events and programming that happen in our community every year in June.  Seeing overwhelming support from our business community throughout PRIDE month is truly wonderful.

However, true allyship is a commitment to supporting equality in all your business activities over the long term.  At times, it can appear as though businesses purport themselves to be allies when it’s financially beneficial and return to the status quo when the financial benefits dissipate.  While this may be untrue for many businesses, it is a prevailing narrative that can only be addressed by companies consistently and actively demonstrating their support for equality.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that some businesses are reluctant to begin addressing systematic barriers because they have challenges knowing where to begin.  The best strategy is to lean on resources available through places like the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, your local PFlag and many others.  They have taken the time to prepare these resources with businesses in mind.  For larger organizations where resources are available, the formation of an internal Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) committee is an effective way to learn about the experiences of your team and work collaboratively to find ways to improve your processes and policies.

So, as we wrap up PRIDE month 2023, take a moment to develop a plan to carry your allyship throughout the year.  Our community, and your business, function optimally when everyone feels safe to participate authentically, and we all have a role to play in making that a reality in our community.

 

Eric Guernsey, IDEA Committee Member and Communication Coordinator for Durham Workforce Authority