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Over the past couple of years, Â鶹´«Ã½ has participated in Pride all throughout North America. This year, the UK became involved. In Bristol, employees took part in the Pride festivities and marched in the parade on July 13. In Manchester, Â鶹´«Ã½ joined their parade on August 24. In Reading, employees stood together at the Pride event on August 31. We want to be a business that¡¯s part of social change and acceptance, so it¡¯s important to us that we¡¯re involved with all of our communities.

Bristol, United Kingdom

Since 2010, Bristol Pride has been championing equality and diversity throughout South West England. On July 13, employees took part in the parade and had an expo stand up at the Downs in Bristol where the main Pride event took place after the parade. Seventeen employees from the Bristol and Taunton offices joined together to march in the parade. It was a powerful and uplifting day filled with likeminded people coming together in solidarity to support the LGBTQ2+ community in Bristol.

Manchester, United Kingdom

Manchester Pride was founded in 1985 and is one of the longest running festivals in the country. It attracts thousands of visitors each year and celebrates the city¡¯s thriving LGBTQ2+ community. The parade hosts more than 100 floats, and this year, Â鶹´«Ã½ wanted to be part of the movement. Organized by Tommy Mann, head of Pride@Â鶹´«Ã½ UK, our involvement went on without a hitch. Twenty employees and families from Birmingham, High Wycombe, London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Warrington, and Manchester all came to proudly march in the hot sun.

Reading, United Kingdom

Ten employees from the Reading Â鶹´«Ã½ office got together to march in the Pride parade. Formed in 2003 to represent and support the local LGBTQ2+ community, the festival itself has grown steadily with up to 15,000 people visiting the event throughout the day. Our employees set up their gazebo bright and early on Saturday morning, in hopes of attracting folks to come and see what they were all about. The atmosphere was great¡ªeveryone was welcomed, learned about what Â鶹´«Ã½ does, and went home with a goodie bag.

In North America, Pride@Â鶹´«Ã½ was celebrated in Louisiana, New Orleans; Edmonton, Alberta; Vancouver, British Columbia; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Waterloo, Ontario; Calgary, Alberta; Northern California; San Francisco, California; and Pender Island, British Columbia.

New Orleans, Louisiana

A series of movie nights that focus on LGBTQ2+ history and culture were held. One of the films they focused on was ¡°Paris is Burning,¡± which is a must-see for anyone wanting to understand the origins of modern drag and how the LGBTQ2+ community has helped shaped pop culture.?

Edmonton, Alberta

In Edmonton, Â鶹´«Ã½ started off with two events. The first was Edmonton ProPride, a panel discussion and reception hosted by Â鶹´«Ã½ and presented by Pride at Work Canada which focused on engaging family and colleagues in LGBTQ2+ inclusion. There second event was a lunch and learn on making meaningful connections in the workplace in relation to LGBTQ2+. The Edmonton Pride@Â鶹´«Ã½ chapter also hosted a Pride in the Park family BBQ for families and allies to attend.

Vancouver, British Columbia

For the first time in the BC region, Â鶹´«Ã½ participated in the Vancouver Pride parade. On August 4th, 35 employees, allies, friends, and family came together to march.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Pride@Â鶹´«Ã½ employee resource group (ERG) kicked off in Minneapolis this year, and their first event included a presentation giving some insight as to why this ERG is needed, the history of LGBTQ2+ rights, the meaning of LGBTQ2+, and more. During Pride month in Minnesota, employees supported their local professional soccer team, MN United, for their sixth annual Pride Game. MN United were the first professional sports team to sign the Athlete Ally pledge in October 2014, demonstrating a commitment to equality and inclusiveness.

Waterloo, Ontario

The Waterloo office celebrated Pride with a week¡¯s worth of events. A lunch and learn, with 50 staff in attendance, provided insight on fostering a culture of inclusion, diversity, and community. A taco lunch fundraiser brought in $325 for Spectrum, Waterloo¡¯s first ever LGBTQ2+/Rainbow community space. Finally, Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s Ontario Southwest region has partnered with OK2BME and is working on establishing a $1,500 STEM scholarship for Â鶹´«Ã½ employees who are part of the LGBTQ2+ community.

Calgary, Alberta?
Employees in the Calgary office participated in Pride Week through a number of events. They created a rainbow crosswalk at the 25th Street office, hosted two breakfast and learns on talking to youth about the LGBTQ2+ community, and had a guest panel talking about the importance of allyship for the queer community.

Northern California?
The Pride@Â鶹´«Ã½ Northern California group arranged Pride goodies for all employees across 11 offices in the region. There were rainbow cupcakes, PRIDE donuts, and cake to show their appreciation for the LGBTQ2+ friends and allies within the workplace.

San Francisco, California?
In the San Francisco office, employees celebrated Pride with d¨¦cor which they created themselves. A colourful installation called ¡°Generations of Resistance¡± honored, remembered, and celebrated the life of seven LGBTQ2+ activists throughout history, including Gilbert Baker, Baynard Rustin, Barbara Gittings, Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson, Audra Lorde, and Edie Windsor.

Pender Island, British Columbia?
Last but not least is Pender Island, a small community on the Canadian Gulf Islands between Vancouver and Victoria. The office celebrated their first Pride celebration with one of their employees and 10 allies and friends marching in the Pride Parade with their Â鶹´«Ã½ hearts on display.

As important as it is to celebrate Pride during its assigned month, it¡¯s more impactful and crucial to show your support and be an ally 365 days of the year. Throughout the company, our Pride@Â鶹´«Ã½ chapters are involved with the LGBTQ2+ communities all year round.?

Learn more about what?Inclusion and Diversity?means to Â鶹´«Ã½.