LGBTQIA+ experiences get all the hype over Pride month, but what about the rest of the year? While companies should be promoting LGBTQIA+ resources, rights, and visibility all year round, History Month is a great opportunity to give your efforts a boost.
Here are some tips from somebody who has spent a lot of time over the years developing LGBTQIA+ History Month agendas:
📢 Promote LGTBQIA+ Voices: Showcase and amplify LGBTQIA+ voices within your organisation. Consider running employee spotlights from the leaders or members of your LGBTQIA+ employee resource groups, or members of your senior leadership team who identify as LGBTQIA+. Partner with your internal communications and PR teams to ensure these spotlights reach a wide audience.
🧠 Raise Awareness: It’s history month, so talk about LGBTQIA+ history. One of the best ways I’ve done this across large employee populations is by hosting an LGBTQIA+ History Month Quiz. If you’re interested in a quiz template, em-paó-er’s got you covered – message us for a free copy!
🎉 Plan Engaging Events: Organise events that celebrate LGBTQIA+ history, culture, and achievements. This could include panel discussions, fireside chats with internal or external speakers, or even events to help bring LGBTQIA+ employees within your organisation to build a stronger employee community.
👫 Support LGBTQIA+ Causes: Find a local LGBTQIA+ charity and reach out to them to see how you can best support. This might be through a monetary donation, providing volunteer hours, or even just promoting what they do amongst your employee community.
🏆 Champion your LGBTQIA+ Leaders: If you have an LGBTQIA+ employee resource group, or other people within your organisation who are planning LGBTQIA+ history month activities outside of their day-job, take the time to ensure they get the recognition they deserve. We often don’t realise how much work it is to go big during these awareness moments, and it’s the population you’re meant to be celebrating that will take the hit on their personal time, energy, and wellbeing in order to deliver a great experience for your employees. If you’re a business leader, find out who is doing this work in your company, and ask them how you can help.
What else are you doing to celebrate LGBTQIA History Month? Share your top tips or favourite activities! 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️
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