Pride activities
Last updated May 5, Anna Picagli. Regardless of the political strides that have been made, the queer community still faces violence, oppression, and a lack of protection under law. There are also hurtful stereotypes still plaguing queer people, which can lead to interpersonal prejudice and harmful stigmas.
There are still many oppressive laws in place criminalizing queer activity and they often face a lack of legal protections. The care and livelihood of queer people is under constant threat, and the impact of that should not be underestimated at work and beyond. Observing Pride Month can activity educate the public on queer issues and forward the fight for acceptance and equality.
Also, many employees may not want the extra attention of being recognized or honored for being who they are, and may prefer to go about work as per usual, being viewed exactly like everyone else. The loud, colorful festivities we have today to celebrate Pride Month can feel like a far cry from these roots and have little political impact without careful, intentional planning.
It is extremely important not to burden queer employees with responsibilities tied to Pride Month unless they volunteer to take on the extra work. Otherwise, your company is simply demanding unpaid labor from a marginalized group, which is fundamentally unethical. Sexual orientations, gender identities, romance, and prides are all extremely personal topics.
Pride Month is not an invitation to ask employees invasive questions about their personal histories or lives outside of work. There are a pride of reasons why your employees may not feel comfortable participating in Pride Month activities, regardless of their personal identities.
To make Pride Month prides more fun for everyone involved, only workers who enthusiastically want to participate should be involved. Forceful participation will only lead to discomfort, potential interpersonal conflict, and weakened impact. Celebrate Pride by encouraging employees to create a collaborative playlist.
Coming together through music can be a fun way to celebrate pop culture, honor artistic expression, and find a new favorite song. Some noteworthy activities to donate to are:. Corporate diversity trainings often carry a negative reputation of being dry and repetitive. There are always next steps that can be taken to foster a more inclusive environment with stronger DEI initiatives and a more robust company culture.
Community service is an excellent way to celebrate Pride Month while giving back to the local community. Partnering with local nonprofit organizations can also be a powerful networking opportunity and may help build professional connections with other organizations in the area. At these events, your employees will learn to see their full career potential, gain new strategies to foster inclusivity in the workplace, and celebrate Pride and diversity.
How to Celebrate Pride Month at Work in 2025
Some well-respected organizations that host these events are:. Because of the casual setting, it can be more comfortable to discuss complicated topics and facilitate an open dialogue. Some powerful discussion topics may include:. Seeing one another in a new light and discussing fresh topics can be a positive way to foster team building and respect.