Pride Month: How Far LGBTQ+ In The Workplace Has Come
The Stonewall Riots in June 1969 were a pivotal moment that transformed the gay rights movement, not just in the United States, but all over the world.
They ushered in the creation of Pride Month, which is celebrated around the world as a mechanism for recognising the LGBTQ+ community and their valuable contributions to society.
Undoubtedly, there have been huge strides forward because of the gay rights movement, with topics like diversity and LGBTQ+ in the workplace being openly discussed and championed.
But is there more to be done? This Pride Month, let’s explore what’s next for the gay civil rights movement.
Shining the Spotlight On Gay Civil Rights
The Stonewall Riots may not have started the gay rights movement, but they certainly shone the spotlight on the discrimination endured by the LGBTQ+ community, not just in the United States, but across the globe.
The events of 1969 meant that the voice of those demanding change went from being an inaudible whisper to a shout that could not so easily be ignored.
Organisations like the Gay Activists Alliance and Gay Liberation Front had the confidence to come together to hold protests in Washington DC the year after the riots.
The riots also brought about the creation of Pride Month, which has grown into a global event that raises awareness for the LGBTQ+ community and gay civil rights. Perhaps that’s the greatest legacy of all.
LGBTQ+ In The Workplace
The legacy of the Stonewall riots is far-reaching, but for workplaces in the UK, they have had a significant impact.
Diversity in the workplace has been shown to have huge benefits for employers and employees alike. As the world becomes more interconnected, businesses that harness the skills of people from a wide variety of backgrounds are more likely to succeed.
Embracing diversity in the workplace is fantastic for a company’s reputation, but it goes far beyond that. Having a workforce full of people with different backgrounds increases productivity and creativity.
Not only will diverse businesses attract the best talent from all walks of life, but they’re more likely to retain it too. There’s no doubt that diversity in the workplace is good for business.
Taking Control With Language
It’s amazing how words that were once used to insult and degrade can be transformed into a word that embodies inclusivity and acceptance, especially in the LGBTQ+ community.
One of these transformations has been with the word ‘queer.’ In the mists of time, ‘queer’ referred to something odd and unusual, which is probably why it was adopted as an insult for people from the LGBTQ+ community.
In recent years, ‘queer’ has essentially been adopted by many in the LGBTQ+ community and transformed into an inclusive way to refer to the broad spectrum of people that identify as LGBTQ+.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone is on board with this change. For some, the word still makes them cringe with discomfort. But for others, being ‘queer’ is worn as a badge of honour.
When we look at LGBTQ+ in the workplace, some businesses even describe themselves as ‘queer-owned’, meaning they’re owned or operated by members of the LGBTQ+ community. Can you imagine seeing that 50 years ago?
What Does The Future Hold?
The world has come a long way since the Stonewall Riots, but we’d be wrong to think that the job is done. Worrying findings from the Office for National Statistics in 2023 show that hate crimes against those from the LGBTQ+ community are on the rise in the UK.
We must also remember, despite the huge progress that’s been made for the gay civil rights cause worldwide, in some countries, it’s still a criminal offence to be gay. In some countries, the punishment for being a member of the LGBTQ+ community is the death penalty.
There’s a feeling that, until these barbaric practices are outlawed in every country in the world, the fight for gay civil rights must continue – and Pride Month is fundamental to that fight.
There’s no doubt that events like Pride Month are still needed to keep raising awareness to new audiences of the plight of LGBTQ+ communities across the globe.
