12 Ideas to Celebrate Pride Month at Work
Pride Month is an annual celebration that honors the LGBTQIA+ community and their achievements. It's a time for joy, reflection, and action. For many companies, it's also an opportunity to show support for their LGBTQIA+ employees and customers. If you're looking for ideas to celebrate Pride Month at work, we've got you covered! Here are 12 ideas to help you get started.
What activities to do for Pride Month:
Decorate your workspace
Hold a fundraiser
Organize a diversity and inclusion training
Volunteer with an LGBTQIA+ organization
Have a Pride-themed potluck
Create a Pride playlist
Display LGBTQIA+ literature
Create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ employees
Provide LGBTQIA+ resources
Highlight LGBTQIA+ achievements
Show support year-round
Host a virtual Pride event
With many workplaces still operating remotely, hosting a virtual Pride event is a great way to bring your team together and celebrate Pride Month. You can host a virtual Pride parade, trivia night, or even a talent show. Encourage your team to get creative and share their Pride-inspired artwork or fashion.
Bar None Games, an LGBTQ-owned small business, offers educational and engaging virtual Pride events including virtual Pride Month trivia. See more here.
How do I host a Pride event at work?
To host a successful Pride event, start by determining the goals and objectives of the event. Next, create a plan that includes the date, time, location, and activities. Some popular Pride event ideas include hosting a Pride-themed potluck, inviting a guest speaker to talk about LGBTQIA+ issues, or organizing a fundraiser for a local LGBTQIA+ organization, among many others listed below.
Once you have a plan in place, be sure to communicate the details to your team and encourage participation. Consider creating a Pride committee to help plan and promote the event, and make sure to provide opportunities for feedback to ensure that the event is inclusive and respectful of all identities.
Remember, hosting a Pride event is just one way to support the LGBTQIA+ community. Keep reading for more ideas to celebrate Pride Month at work.
Decorate your workspace
Adding Pride-themed decorations to your workspace is a simple yet effective way to show your support for the LGBTQIA+ community. By hanging a Pride flag or displaying rainbow-colored decorations such as streamers, balloons, or banners, you can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees. These decorations can serve as a visible reminder of your commitment to diversity and inclusion, and can help create a sense of community among team members. Plus, decorating the workspace is a low-cost and easy way to celebrate Pride Month, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Hold a fundraiser
Hosting a fundraiser is a meaningful way to demonstrate your commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ organizations and charities. Partnering with a local organization or charity that works towards promoting LGBTQIA+ rights and supporting the community is a great way to help raise awareness and funds for their work. There are various fundraising ideas that you can consider such as a silent auction, raffle, or charity run/walk. Additionally, you can involve employees in the fundraising effort by encouraging them to volunteer, donate or participate in the fundraising activities. Not only will this event help raise funds for a worthy cause, but it can also help foster a sense of community and solidarity among your team.
Organize a diversity and inclusion training
Diversity and inclusion training can be an effective way to educate your team about the experiences of LGBTQIA+ employees and customers. By hiring a professional to provide training on the importance of LGBTQIA+ inclusion and how to create an inclusive workplace, you can help your team understand how to support and create a safe environment for all employees. The training can cover topics such as language and terminology, unconscious bias, and how to create inclusive policies and practices. Investing in diversity and inclusion training demonstrates your commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and can help build a more diverse and productive team.
Volunteer with an LGBTQIA+ organization
Volunteering with an LGBTQIA+ organization is a fantastic way to show support for the community and give back. You can encourage your team to volunteer with an LGBTQIA+ organization individually or organize a team volunteer day. Volunteering opportunities can range from assisting at a local LGBTQIA+ community center, participating in fundraising events, or volunteering at Pride events. This activity provides a great opportunity for team-building and allows employees to connect with and learn from the community.
Have a Pride-themed potluck
A Pride-themed potluck is a fun (and delicious!) way to celebrate Pride Month at work. Encouraging employees to bring their favorite Pride-inspired dishes can make the event more engaging and inclusive. To add to the celebration, you can consider providing decorations and entertainment, such as music and games. One of the best ways to bond as a team is over a shared dish.
Create a Pride playlist
Creating a Pride playlist is a simple way to celebrate Pride Month and show support for the LGBTQIA+ community. You can encourage your team to share their favorite Pride-themed songs and compile a playlist that can be played during breaks, team meetings, or other workplace events. This activity provides a great opportunity to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of the LGBTQIA+ community while promoting a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Furthermore, playing upbeat music can help boost employee morale and create a more relaxed and enjoyable work environment, which can positively impact productivity and employee satisfaction. Don’t want to make your own? Use this one already created by Spotify!
Display LGBTQIA+ literature
Displaying LGBTQIA+ literature in your workplace can help educate your team about the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Display books, magazines, or other literature that highlight the contributions and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community and allow them to be accessible to your team. To take it a step further, you can also create a book club to read and discuss the books.
Create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ employees
Designating a physical space in your workplace where LGBTQIA+ employees can feel safe and supported is a simple yet effective way to create a supportive workplace culture. Creating a safe space can help LGBTQIA+ employees feel valued and respected, which in turn can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. By taking steps to create an inclusive workplace, you can help ensure that all employees feel welcome and supported, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
Provide LGBTQIA+ resources
Providing resources such as support groups, counseling services, or educational materials can go a long way in supporting the mental and emotional well-being of LGBTQIA+ employees. Partnering with local organizations or healthcare providers to offer these resources can help ensure that your employees have access to the support they need. It's important to remember that supporting the well-being of your LGBTQIA+ employees benefits not only them but the entire workplace community.
Highlight LGBTQIA+ achievements
Highlighting the achievements of LGBTQIA+ individuals can be a powerful way to educate your team about the contributions and accomplishments of the LGBTQIA+ community. Sharing stories and accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ individuals within your industry or community can help raise awareness and appreciation for the important work being done by members of the community. This can also inspire LGBTQIA+ employees to feel more empowered and valued in the workplace.
Show support year-round
While celebrating Pride Month is a great way to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community, it's crucial to continue this support throughout the year. One way to do this is by creating an LGBTQIA+ employee resource group that meets regularly to discuss issues related to the community and plan events. Another option is partnering with local organizations to provide ongoing support, such as volunteering at events or donating to causes that support LGBTQIA+ individuals. By continuing to show support beyond Pride Month, you can help create a workplace culture that values and supports diversity year-round.
Why is it important to celebrate Pride Month in the workplace?
Celebrating Pride Month at work is an opportunity to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community and create a more inclusive workplace culture. From hosting virtual events to providing resources and support, there are many ways to celebrate Pride Month at work. By taking action, we can all work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace for all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Remember, the ideas we've listed here are just a starting point. Get creative and find ways to make your workplace a welcoming and supportive space for all.
It's important to note that celebrating Pride Month isn't just about rainbow decorations or hosting events. It's about recognizing the struggles and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community, and working towards creating a more just and equitable world for all. As an employer, it's your responsibility to create a workplace that is inclusive and respectful of all identities.
When celebrating Pride Month at work, it's also important to be mindful of the different experiences and needs of LGBTQIA+ employees. For example, not all LGBTQIA+ employees feel comfortable being out at work, so it's essential to create a safe and supportive environment that respects their privacy and identity. Additionally, it's important to recognize that LGBTQIA+ individuals face discrimination and marginalization in many areas of life, and that includes the workplace. Again, as an employer, you can play an active role in challenging and dismantling these systems of oppression.
Host a virtual Pride event with LGBTQ-owned small business Bar None Games
Celebrating Pride Month at work is an opportunity to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community, educate your team about diversity and inclusion, and create a more welcoming and supportive workplace culture. By taking action and implementing some of the ideas we've listed here, you can help make your workplace a more just and equitable place for all. Remember, creating a workplace that values diversity and inclusion isn't just a one-time event. It's an ongoing commitment that requires continuous effort and reflection.