Every year in June, since the 1969 Stonewall riots, we celebrate Pride. We come together to celebrate how far the LGBTQ+ community has come in advancing fundamental human rights, including marriage equality, anti-discrimination and recognition of transgender identity. Pride is also about acknowledging that while we’ve come far these past 50 years, more work is needed to teach tolerance and continue to push for equality.
There is no question we are recognizing this year’s Pride Month during really difficult times. Our communities are in pain from racial injustice being witnessed across the country. We’re also still coping with the impacts of a global pandemic. But even as we face these crises, we are seeing the global community come together in response. The LGBTQ+ community is a perfect example, as they use their platforms in solidarity against inequality and hate. Our Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) is supporting these efforts, joining forces with our Black Networking Alliance ERG to foster greater understanding across our company on the issues and actions team members can take to stand up against racism and hate.
Throughout the month of June and beyond, our collective forces — made up of diverse perspectives and backgrounds – are uniting to achieve greater equality for the LGBTQ+ community. For all communities.
An inclusive culture starts with how we’re driving progress across our communities.
This month, we are rolling out Self-ID. It’s an internal program the Pride ERG has been asking for that gives our team members the option to self-identify ethnicity, ability, as a veteran or as a member or ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Having a better understanding of our population helps us recognize where we can increase our inclusion efforts and further develop our diverse talent. Supporting our LGBTQ+ community also means helping team members understand how to be an ally. As part of our Pride Month celebrations, our Pride ERG will host a virtual session that helps allies learn how to incorporate gender-inclusive pronouns. We are also teaming up with GenderCool to host a virtual panel, offering Dell Technologies families powerful stories of transgender or non-binary children, as well as best practices for employee inclusion. And on a lighter note, the Pride ERG is hosting lip-sync battles and Friday dance parties as a fun way to celebrate our inclusive culture.
Our commitment to delivering on these values extends beyond our four walls.
This is why being recognized in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index means so much. For the 16th year in a row, we achieved a perfect score of 100%, making us a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality. Advocating for LGBTQ+ causes around the world is one way we will continue to support fundamental human rights in our communities. Through Dell Technologies’ 18-year partnership with Out & Equal, we continue to make strides in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. And, through our role in America Competes, we recently joined other businesses to successfully advocate for Virginia’s newly enacted Values Act (signed into law April 11), the first comprehensive non-discrimination law in any Southern U.S. state.
Our progress makes Dell Technologies a place where everyone can show up as their authentic selves.
Our 165,000 team members are not only valued – we are all critical to our innovation and success as a company. While June is a time to connect and celebrate the amazing work of our LGBTQ+ team members, we invite you to join us every day to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals can always show up as their authentic selves and succeed.
Because we are loudest when we stand up and use our voices together.
