June is a time dedicated to uplifting, celebrating and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. However, Pride Month is so much more than the colorful merchandise in stores; this month is meant to highlight the power and importance of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Many companies recognize Pride Month, but how many really take the time to support their employees beyond June? When it comes to diversity and inclusion, it’s important to incorporate both pieces of the puzzle– bringing diverse employees to the table, and including them in company decisions, projects and more.
These four companies truly walk the walk of what it means to be an inclusive and supportive workplace. Support can come in many forms – whether it’s hosting in-person pride-focused events, donating to local LGBTQIA+ organizations or long-term focused support like engaging the community in financial literacy programs and creating resource groups that help employees navigate healthcare benefits.
Built In Chicago spoke with Motorola Solutions, Capital One, SteelSeries and TransUnion employees about how their company celebrates and supports LGBTQIA+ employees all year long.
TransUnion is a global fintech company that provides credit scores and credit checks to enterprises and individuals.
What activities are TransUnion Corporation coordinating for Pride Month?
Being an associate at TransUnion and a board member of the LGBTQIA+ resource group, Pride@TU, has made me feel more valued and included than in my previous positions. This is noteworthy because I know firsthand how easy it is for companies to talk about diversity without truly committing to inclusion. The difference between diversity and inclusion, as explained by an activist, is the feeling of simply being invited to the party (diversity), and the feeling of belonging from being asked to dance (inclusion).
Pride@TU is coordinating a range of activities for Pride Month to create a sense of belonging and validation for our associates, including a Pride Trivia Showdown event where associates can test their knowledge about the history of the LGBTQIA+ movement. We will also participate in Pride Night at Wrigley Field and will be hosting a fundraiser; a portion of the proceeds goes to support LGBTQIA+ community partners.
How does TransUnion Corporation support and empower the LGBTQIA+ members of your team?
What impresses me is the openness of our organization, which extends beyond Pride Month and beyond our company’s walls. We participate in professional LGBTQIA+ organizations, like Lesbians Who Tech, to recruit talent and ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace. We also work closely with LGBTQIA+ owned and operated businesses to support their growth and success.
Beyond the month of June, what are some examples of ways TransUnion Corporation supports or advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community?
Beyond the month of June, we have a program for financial inclusion that includes partnering with non-profit organizations to provide financial education and assistance to help these individuals improve their financial stability and future opportunities. By doing so, the aim is to reduce financial barriers that can disproportionately impact marginalized groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s inspiring to see my company taking a leadership role in this area and supporting marginalized communities through proactive initiatives.
As someone who is part of the LGBTQIA+ community, knowing that my organization is actively reaching out to LGBTQIA+ talent and working on financial inclusion initiatives is extremely empowering. I believe these actions have a positive impact not just on me, but on all my colleagues who are part of all marginalized communities. I’m grateful to be part of a company that values diversity and inclusion in both words and actions.
I’m grateful to be part of a company that values diversity and inclusion in both words and actions.”
SteelSeries is a gaming company that creates both hardware and software to optimize the gaming experience.
What activities are SteelSeries coordinating for Pride Month?
SteelSeries has partnered with the It Gets Better Project for 2023. SteelSeries will also be donating one hundred percent of profits earned from the For Pride product collection to the It Gets Better Project (IGBP) during the month of June. Additionally, SteelSeries’ social team will be streaming For Pride streams on Twitch during the month of June on the 1st and 29th, contributing a 1:1 match of all Twitch stream revenue from Pride Month.
SteelSeries has also teamed up with Rainbow Arcade, a group of LGBTQIA+ streamers and content creators. During the June 29th For Pride stream, RA members and SteelSeries employees will co-stream a gaming session of Goose Goose Duck together, while having a dialogue on the importance of LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in gaming for community youth.
To promote engagement for SteelSeries on LGBTQIA+ history, allyship, IGBP’s mission, and current issues the community is facing, our internal For Pride group is hosting a Pride Happy Hour in June. The happy hour will consist of a lunch n’ learn session on IGBP, LGBTQIA+ history trivia, an in-office “replica” of The Legacy Walk, followed by libations and arcade games at an LGBTQIA+ establishment.
How does SteelSeries support and empower the LGBTQIA+ members of your team?
SteelSeries actively voices its support for LGBTQIA+ equality which immediately speaks to the support and empowerment SteelSeries gives to LGBTQIA+ members of our teams.
Within SteelSeries’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group, we have a LGBTQIA+ employee-led group called For Pride. For Pride manages SteelSeries' corporate partnerships with organizations focused on critical missions supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, coordinates new For Pride product releases, plans employee engagement sessions and provides a space for LGBTQIA+ people seeking mentorship, community and support within SteelSeries.
For Pride's executive sponsor is the CEO of SteelSeries, Ehtisham Rabbani, who actively encourages SteelSeries to be authentic allies to the LGBTQI+ community, not only during June, but all year round. We strive to make SteelSeries an inclusive environment for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community so anyone, employee or otherwise, feels welcome and accepted here.
We strive to make SteelSeries an inclusive environment for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community so anyone, employee or otherwise, feels welcome and accepted here.”
Beyond the month of June, what are some examples of ways SteelSeries supports or advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community?
Supporting the LGBTQIA+ beyond the month of June is an ongoing conversation within SteelSeries and specifically the For Pride committee. We know that there are many more opportunities and ways for us to engage the gaming community and our SteelSeries audience in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.
In the past, this was done more at an employee level with internal engagement across Pride Months and LGBTQIA+ History Month in October. In 2022, SteelSeries activated several marketing campaigns throughout the year across social and Twitch to drive awareness on LGBTQIA+ focused organizations while contributing additional donations from product sales and Twitch streaming.
In 2023, SteelSeries will be focused on supporting the It Gets Better Project during the back-to-school period, acknowledging that this can be an important and sometimes very stressful time for LGBTQIA+ youth in finding community and support outside their homes. SteelSeries is also reaching out to local LGBTQIA+ youth-focused organizations with educational, tech and gaming groups to help provide needed equipment (headsets, mice, keyboards, etc.) for them to excel in learning and of course, gaming!
Capital One is a financial and banking company that provides bank accounts, loans and more to enterprises and individuals.
What activities are Capital One coordinating for Pride Month?
Capital One maintains an always-on approach to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Out Front, our LGBTQIA+ business resource group, has programming year round from both the national and regional chapters. Some previous events included a panel featuring transgender associates talking about their journeys, informal coffee chats, conversations with LGBTQIA+ executives, as well as partnerships and events with local LGBTQIA+ organizations.
How does Capital One support and empower the LGBTQIA+ members of your team?
I see Capital One’s support in my day-to-day interactions. A director of human resources helped me identify health benefits when I came out as trans. My team sent flowers to celebrate my legal name change. My TQ+ community — a group for Capital One’s transgender, gender diverse and ally associates — helped me navigate coming out, my name-change processes, as well as navigating medical benefits and providers.
While there have been bumps in the road, I’ve found that people at Capital One are willing to help you get to where you want to go. I’ve been met with open arms and a lot of people saying, “let me know how I can help.”
I’ve found that people at Capital One are willing to help you get to where you want to go.”
Beyond the month of June, what are some examples of ways Capital One supports or advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community?
Local chapters of Out Front and other Capital One teams provide support all year to organizations helping the LGBTQIA+ community through charitable contributions and associate engagement opportunities, like teaching financial literacy to LGBTQIA+ youth and elders. As a lead for Out Front’s Richmond chapter, I’m thrilled to be working with a great team of associates and partner with local organizations that represent the true intersectionality of our community.
Motorola Solutions is a security, hardware and software company providing secure connectivity and hardware for businesses.
What activities are Motorola Solutions coordinating for Pride Month?
Nuno: As co-president of the LGBTQIA+ Business Council, I am thrilled to be hosting several in-person and virtual activities throughout Pride Month this year — including a Chicago Pride Parade meet up, a live-streamed discussion led by an LGBTQIA+ public safety officer and a review of our company benefits to foster a sense of belonging and encourage authenticity for LGBTQIA+ employees.
Todd and I are particularly excited about hosting cross-collaboration events with other employee resource groups, including a panel discussion with our LatinX Business Council and a Pride Happy Hour co-hosted with the Young Professionals Group. We are also looking forward to being joined by our allies and advocates for our Pride Month Ally Coffee Talk.
How does Motorola Solutions support and empower the LGBTQIA+ members of your team?
Conklin: I feel proud that Motorola Solutions is focused on providing a safe and welcoming space for all employees — whether they are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally. As we continue to foster an environment where belonging is paramount to each and every Motorolan’s experience, the company encourages employees to identify personal pronouns, sexual orientation and/or gender identity in our internal HR system. Self identifying is completely voluntary, and employees' personal identifiable information is always kept confidential.
I feel proud that Motorola Solutions is focused on providing a safe and welcoming space for all employees.”
Throughout the year, the seven other business councils and the office of diversity, equity and inclusion host several global events that encourage engagement from employees around the world. No matter where they are located, we take pride in our people.
Beyond the month of June, what are some examples of ways Motorola Solutions supports or advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community?
Conklin: Most recently, Motorola Solutions was a sponsor at this year’s Equality Illinois Gala, the state's long-standing advocacy organization dedicated to defending rights for LGBTQIA+ Illinoisans. Adrian and I had the pleasure of attending and had an incredibly impactful night of giving back.
In addition to Pride Month activities in June, we also host many educational events throughout LGBTQIA+ History Month in October, have monthly membership meetings, plan community outreach events, offer member events throughout the year and partner with each of the seven other business councils.
As a business council, we are a source for employees to turn to when they are in the process of coming out as identifying as LGBTQIA+ or are supporting a loved one who recently came out. Through directly supporting our LGBTQIA+ community within the company, we are able to embrace our unique experiences and empower each of us to best support our customers, communities and, most importantly, each other.
