Article #TakePride, stand up, and show up for LGBTQ+ people this Pride month, and always.
By Insight UK / 23 Jun 2022
By Insight UK / 23 Jun 2022
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DI&B) should be at the heart of every organisation, in order to create a friendly, modern, open and successful working culture, with equal opportunity for all. At Insight we are dedicated to our DI&B agenda year-round, but what better time to highlight this than pride month?
Pride month is an opportunity to celebrate people for who they are, and everyone taking a stance against discrimination, to continue building a world of belonging and equal opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.
There is still progress to be made and this won’t happen unless we stand tall and continue to work together to raise awareness of the barriers and attitudes that still exist where they shouldn’t.
I am thrilled to be the Diversity & Inclusion Specialist for an organisation that is so passionate about belonging, individuality and equal opportunities for all.
Through our core values of Hunger, Heart, and Harmony, embedded in all that we do, and more recently enhanced through our Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging agenda, Insight remains resolute in its commitment to championing equality and attracting and retaining a diverse workforce.
At Insight we have four Teammate Resource Groups (TRGs), made up of teammates willing to put in the hours, outside of their day-to-day commitments, to fight for equality and representation for all. This pride month, I want to highlight the work of Insight Stands Out, our TRG for the LGBTQ+ community, who work hard year-round to ensure that we have a full calendar of activities and events centred around equality and inclusion. From external speaker sessions and social media posts to spread awareness, to discussing relevant articles and literature and sharing experiences and initiatives on our internal All Hands meetings, members of Insight Stands Out are dedicated to achieving their mission.
Insight Stands Out’s aim is to foster a highly visible and inclusive environment that provides resources, gives assistance and educates Insight teammates, families and allies.
To me, Pride month is a time for our busy lives to stop and for us to recognise the struggles that this community have previously faced, and continue to face, to varying degrees across the world, as well as the steps we still need to take to build a more accepting world. It is a time to be loud, be proud, and stand up for love - regardless of gender, orientation, or identity.
There is no doubt that to understand this topic even at its most basic level can feel challenging. Sometimes it can mean addressing our own learnt behaviour and attitudes.
But it’s important to take the time to understand that people are individuals. That they come from different backgrounds and have different life experiences.
For organisations looking to prioritise diversity and inclusion, I would suggest they do the following:
Lead from the top. Change starts from the top of a business. Without leadership understanding why it is important, how will you change the tide and create positive change? One way to achieve this could be to appoint a member of your leadership team as an executive sponsor, who will help to drive any initiatives and help to encourage colleague buy-in and participation.
Next, set up a Taskforce. This will inspire colleagues to get involved and create an open dialogue, generating further discussion. Ask for volunteers to help shape an agenda for change.
Finally, research what other organisations are doing and build relationships externally. All organisations are on this journey, and, in my experience, companies are willing to share best practices and collaborate for the greater good.
At Insight, we understand the importance of supporting the LGBTQ+ community, not just in June, but throughout the year. This Pride Month has been an opportunity for Insight Stands Out to really highlight the welcoming, diverse and inclusive culture we have built at Insight. We are passionate about raising awareness and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. Happy Pride Month 2022. Let’s #TakePride, and continue to stand with the LGBTQ+ community, this month and always.
Paula Giles, EMEA D&I Specialist 
