Pride Month celebrates the LGBTQ+ community's history, contributions, and ongoing fight for equality. While June brings vibrant parades and events, the spirit of Pride calls for year-round commitment. Celebrations are exciting, but true allyship comes from putting diversity and inclusion at the forefront every day.  

In this article we’ll highlight how Chipotle, Coca-Cola, and Converse celebrate Pride and work to build equality in the workplace. Take a look for some inspiration on creative and meaningful ways to support your LGBTQ+ team members this year.

What is Pride and Why It Matters

Originating from the 1969 Stonewall Riots, Pride month reminds us of the progress towards equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community and the work that still lies ahead. It's a time to celebrate, reflect, and advocate for a world where everyone is accepted for who they are. The significance of Pride goes beyond parades and rainbow flags; it's about recognizing and uplifting the voices of those who have been marginalized and continuing the push for equal rights. 

Companies WITH Pride in their DNA 

Chipotle

Chipotle's "Love What Makes You Real" campaign returns for Pride Month 2024, celebrating authenticity with limited-edition Pride uniforms and merchandise. Employees can participate by requesting a Pride-themed uniform shirt. Sales from Chipotle’s Pride Edit merchandise collection benefit The Trevor Project, and customers can join in the effort by rounding up their orders to help the same charity.  

Chipotle also builds representation and cultivates community impact by participating in Pride parades in Orange County, California, and Columbus, Ohio.  

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola has a rich history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community through various initiatives and partnerships. In past years, Coca-Cola has launched digital collectibles to celebrate Pride, with proceeds supporting LGBTQIA+ charities.  

For Pride Month 2024, Coca-Cola continues to showcase its support with a variety of Pride-branded merchandise. This year, their collection features vibrant items including custom t-shirts, branded water bottles, special edition bags with a Pride version of their logo, and more. By offering these bespoke items, Coca-Cola empowers its customers to celebrate Pride and represent their favorite brand while supporting the LGBTQ+ community. This is a fantastic example of how large brands can make a positive impact through marketing. 

Converse

Converse is celebrating its 10th annual LGBTQIA+ Pride campaign 4 with a focus on storytelling and community support. For Pride 2024 the Boston-based lifestyle brand introduced a new collection featuring designs by LGBTQIA+ artists. The proceeds of these exclusive designs will benefit organizations including the It Gets Better Project and the Ali Forney Center. 

Converse encourages employees to participate in local Pride events and offers educational resources to foster an inclusive workplace. The brand also highlights personal stories from LGBTQIA+ community members to amplify diverse voices and experiences.

🏳️‍🌈 Looking For More Brand Inspiration For Pride? Check out Our Pride Lookbook!

Promoting Equality and Allyship in the Workplace

What Companies Can Do

Building an inclusive workplace requires continuous effort. Here are five impactful jumping-off points that companies can enact to improve inclusivity, promote equality, and amplify marginalized voices: 

Diversity and Inclusion Training: Regular workshops help employees appreciate diverse perspectives and build a more inclusive culture. 

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): ERGs for LGBTQ+ employees create a supportive community within the workplace. 

Comprehensive Benefits: Offer benefits that cover same-sex partners and support LGBTQ+ health needs, like gender-affirming surgery or therapy.  

Anti-Discrimination Policies: Enforce clear policies to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Support for LGBTQ+ Events: To show genuine support, Sponsor Pride events, create custom merch, and support local  LGBTQ+ causes.

How Employees Can Demonstrate Equality and Allyship

Employees can make a big difference in creating an inclusive workplace. Here are five practical ways to show equality and allyship: 

Ask for Pronouns: Respectfully ask colleagues for their pronouns and use them. MyPronouns.org is a great resource. 

Use Inclusive Language: Use terms like "partner" or "spouse" instead of "husband" or "wife" to include everyone. 

Learn Continuously: Educate yourself on LGBTQ+ issues through resources like GLAAD and The Trevor Project. 

Create (or Be!) a Safe Space: Offer support by listening and amplifying the voices of your LGBTQ+ colleagues and by advocating for inclusive policies. 

Join Events: Participate in Pride and other LGBTQ+ events to show your support. 

What Do Companies Do for Pride Month?

1 - Organize Pride Events 

Companies can host or participate in local Pride parades, workshops, and seminars. These events create visibility, show public support for the LGBTQ+ community, and promote a sense of inclusivity and engagement among employees and customers. For example, check out Boston Pride for event ideas.

2 - Develop Authentic and Inclusive Marketing Campaigns 

Pride isn't about rainbow-washing your brand's feed—that's just hopping on the marketing bandwagon. Instead, use Pride Month as a jumping-off point for making your content more inclusive year-round. Consider bringing in guest posters from the LGBTQ+ community to raise awareness or showcasing LGBTQ+ stories and achievements to promote genuine representation.

3 - Support Charities 

Support charities by donating or partnering with LGBTQ+ organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, The Trevor Project, and GLAAD. This financial support helps these organizations continue their vital work and reflects your company's dedication to social responsibility. Want more ways to support charities? Check out #4 on our list. It might inspire you to create limited-edition promotional items that support the LGBTQ+ community and help raise money for these important organizations.

4 - Create Custom Promotional Products 

When your brand stands for something, you want to shout it to the word—and custom promotional products help you do just that! One way to support Pride is by creating and selling Pride-themed products that match your brand's values and support your broader inclusivity goals. 

Popular options for branded merchandise include custom t-shirts, bags, and drinkware. These items can be used at events or sold, with proceeds supporting LGBTQ+ causes. Efforts like these demonstrate allyship and commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, help raise awareness, and promote inclusivity within your customer base. Plus, custom merch is a great and really fun way to show support for Pride in June and beyond!

5 - Provide Employee Education 

Offer training sessions and resources on LGBTQ+ issues and allyship. Education fosters a more inclusive workplace by increasing awareness and understanding among employees, which is essential for creating a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone. 

Looking Ahead

Pride is a movement, not a month. Companies committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce must model these expectations and behaviors for their teams. Household brands like Chipotle, Coca-Cola, and Converse may have large-scale, public Pride initiatives, but brands of every size can draw inspiration from these Pride campaigns and create their own ways to champion inclusivity, allyship, and equality.  Don’t be afraid to get creative in cultivating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected daily.

Want more Pride Content? We've got you!

Check out our resources for celebrating Pride in style: 

Stran’s 2024 Pride Lookbook 
Celebrating Pride: Top Custom Swag Picks

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