June is Pride month in the United States, a month-long celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) people, marked by parades and cultural events. The tradition dates back to a 1970 gathering in New York City to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The events of that summer—a series of raids and protests at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village neighborhood—forever changed the landscape of LGBTQ activism in the United States. Since then, LGBTQ individuals and their allies in many countries around the world have come together each summer to march in Pride parades, celebrate policy victories, and demonstrate for equal rights.

Planning for WorldPride 2021, a celebration of LGBTQ rights on an international scale

The first fully international “WorldPride” celebration took place in Rome, Italy in 2000. Since that inaugural event, WorldPride has grown, focusing much-needed attention on this community’s struggle for equal rights: equal access to healthcare, jobs and housing; the right to marry, the right to serve in the military, and the right to adopt children. This August, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to minimize crowding at the events, WorldPride will be held in two locations, Copenhagen, Denmark, and the neighboring city of Malmö, Sweden.

These joyful and empowering celebrations nevertheless expose a struggle for recognition and rights that is ongoing. As explained by the Human Rights Campaign, “In spite of much progress in recent years, all around the world LGBTQ people still face harassment, legal and societal discrimination, violence, and bigotry. Sixty-nine countries criminalize same-sex sexual activity, and in up to nine countries, this may be punishable by death. So-called anti-LGBTQ ‘propaganda’ laws inhibit LGBTQ advocacy in at least three countries, and in countless more, organizing is constrained by restrictions on civil society.”

Pride isn’t seasonal—there’s work we can all do

Led by our global Pride Employee Community, Zendesk has always celebrated Pride as a company, and as a part of the local communities where we have offices. Yet even as we celebrate the achievements on behalf of the LGBTQ community, we know there’s more work to be done. Many companies tout a commitment to diversity—in their employee ranks, among leadership, on their board of directors—but Pride is ultimately about a larger issue: Inclusion. Legal rights are not the entire battle: LGBTQ people deserve to be seen and valued for who they are so they can thrive at work.

Pride is ultimately about a larger issue: Inclusion. LGBTQ people deserve to be seen and valued for who they are so they can thrive at work.

When companies make room for employees to bring their whole self to work, they create a truly inclusive work culture. As explained by a 2017 article in the Harvard Business Review, “In the context of the workplace, diversity equals representation. Without inclusion, however, the crucial connections that attract diverse talent, encourage their participation, foster innovation, and lead to business growth won’t happen. As noted diversity practitioner Vernā Myers puts it, ‘Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.’”

Creating an inclusive workplace is about ensuring that employees feel safe—psychologically, physically, and emotionally—at work. Do they feel they are recognized, accepted and celebrated for who they are? Or do they feel the need to hide aspects of their identity because their work environment doesn’t feel welcoming to them?

Creating an inclusive workplace is about ensuring that employees feel safe—psychologically, physically, and emotionally—at work.

Sexual preference is considered an invisible aspect of identity; Meaning, we really don’t know someone’s gender or sexual orientation unless they make it clear. Assumptions can lead to hurtful, traumatic, and even illegal exchanges, and result in employees feeling unseen. But there are things all companies can do to neutralize assumptions and raise awareness:

1. Adding pronouns to email and Slack profiles

2. Getting good at asking others what their preferred pronouns are

3. Providing ongoing diversity training and education to people managers

This year, while Zendesk employees won’t be dancing down San Francisco’s Market Street alongside a parade float, or marching with ShoutOut in Dublin, we’re celebrating Pride throughout the summer with a series of internal events and by sponsoring the annual WorldPride events held in Copenhagen and Malmö this August.

How you can have an impact

Zendesk also supports these global and local organizations that work to promote and protect the rights of the LGBTQ community. Join us in empowering their work or the work of an organization in your own community.

• ShoutOut
• GLIDE
• TransNewYork
• San Francisco Gay Man’s Chorus
• WorldPride

You can show your support for the LGBTQ community and show gratitude at the same time. Our latest version of the Thank You Machine makes a $10 USD donation to the Human Rights Campaign for each card sent that uses Pride accessories.

Reimagining Pride in a virtual, global world

With fewer in-person Pride parades this year, companies must reimagine how they celebrate Pride. For example, Zendesk employees will participate in 8 weeks of synchronous and asynchronous programs, across time zones and offices. The challenges presented by a remote workforce may actually ensure a more equitable experience, allowing for an experience that lasts longer than a one-day parade and can be accessed by everyone.