Queer at Work’s Post

Fabulous Friday, Not Just Good Friday! Introducing Our Pride 2024 Offering to Businesses Worldwide 🌈 As business owners, we often look for ways to stand out, resonate with our customers, and, importantly, align our offerings with our values. Today, I’m thrilled to share something that ticks all those boxes and more - the launch of our Pride 2024 collection, both for wholesale and retail. It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since Rainbow & Co started its journey. What began as a project to address a gap in the market has blossomed into a global business, shipping products to every corner of the world. As the heart and soul behind Rainbow & Co, I, Adam, have had the privilege of navigating the ever-changing tides of business and social advocacy. For Pride 2024, we’ve taken things to the next level. Every piece in this collection has been designed in-house, a labour of love and creativity from conception to the final product. But we didn’t stop there. We also brought the final manufacturing process in-house, ensuring that every item not only meets our high standards of quality and ethics but also resonates with the authenticity and passion that Rainbow & Co is known for. This decision to design and manufacture in-house isn’t just about quality control; it’s about pouring our heart and soul into what we do. It’s about creating a product that truly represents the vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community we celebrate and support. As business owners, aligning with causes and communities can transform our brands and create deeper connections with our customers. Our Pride 24 collection is more than just merchandise; it’s a statement. It’s an opportunity for businesses, big and small, to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community, not just in Pride month but all year round, and seek to make the world more inclusive. We are immensely proud to launch this range, marking our 6th year of trading. The Pride 24 collection is our first limited collection, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. Adam 🌈 For those interested in bringing the Pride 24 collection into your spaces, reach out, and we’ll get back to you quickly. #Pride24 #RainbowAndCo #BusinessForGood #LGBTQSupport #InclusiveBusiness

🌈True Allyship VS. Rainbow Washing: The Role of Design 🌈 At Equator, we know that design is more than just visuals—it’s a powerful tool to communicate a brand’s true values. With Pride-themed packaging everywhere, it’s vital to distinguish between genuine support and rainbow washing. Why does it matter? Superficial gestures can mislead and harm a brand’s reputation. In our latest blog, we explore how brands can avoid rainbow washing and commit to real, year-round support for the LGBTQ+ community. Check out the full blog to learn more - https://lnkd.in/e9hKv6fA #DesignWithIntegrity #EquatorDesign #LGBTQSupport 

Title: Target's Decision to Remove LGBTQ Merchandise Sparks Controversy 🎯 Recently, Target made the decision to remove certain LGBTQ-themed items from select stores in the southern U.S. during Pride Month, citing potential backlash and protests as the primary concern. This choice reflects the challenging balance corporations must strike between inclusivity and navigating region-specific controversies. As a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community, known for their inclusive policies, Target's move has resulted in mixed reactions. While these items will remain available online and in other stores, the decision to pull them from some physical locations has led to criticism from advocacy groups and customers. 🌈 The Pride collection includes a range of products like T-shirts, tote bags, and accessories, celebrating diversity and inclusion. The controversy underscores larger debates about the role businesses should play in social issues. Here's what's on my mind: ❓ How do companies balance local sensitivities with a commitment to inclusivity? ❓ Can businesses afford to remain neutral in an era where social responsibility is increasingly expected by consumers? ❓ What impact does this have on the perception of a brand that prides itself on supportive policies? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how businesses can navigate such complexities while maintaining their core values. Share your perspectives below! #BusinessEthics #Inclusivity #CorporateResponsibility #PrideMonth #DiversityAndInclusion

In recent years, we've witnessed a troubling trend of inauthentic engagement from brands during Pride, with misguided product executions like LGBT Sandwiches and Tops/Bottoms burgers being some memorable, and slightly humorous examples. These attempts at allyship often miss the mark, reducing meaningful support to mere marketing gimmicks. This year, however, a new challenge has emerged: a noticeable decline in brands participating in Pride celebrations. Fear of backlash—from both the LGBTQ+ community, wary of inauthenticity, and critics who label allyship as “woke”—seems to be driving this retreat. I've always believed that true allyship should be an all-the-time commitment, extending beyond mere marketing campaigns to genuine support and advocacy. Brands that have previously championed Pride but are now "going back into the closet" risk losing their status as allies, in my opinion. As the political landscape shifts across many Western societies (e.g. here in the UK but also in America and France), it will be fascinating to observe how brands navigate their roles in Pride and LGBTQ+ conversations in the coming years. The need for authentic, unwavering support is more critical than ever. #pride #allyship #brandstrategy #brand https://lnkd.in/eKG3iKFQ

Learn the ins and outs of this massive market segment!

It Gets Better Executive Director Brian Wenke is an Ad Age Pride Month spotlight. In his guest column, he shares the five questions brands should ask before supporting nonprofits that work with LGBTQ+ youth and what it takes to ‘stand out and stand tall’ in authentic allyship. "Today’s volatile social landscape places corporations at the epicenter of a cultural clash. The rise of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment not only poses a moral challenge but also a significant business threat. Companies aiming for authentic and meaningful corporate citizenship must navigate these turbulent waters with strategic and ethical clarity. It is crucial to resist pressures that could force a betrayal of foundational principles. Doing so can compromise consumer trust and loyalty while reinforcing the marginalization of an already vulnerable population." #PrideMonth #BrandSupport #brandmarketing #lgbtq #lgbtqyouth #allyship #corporateamerica #corporateengagement #itgetsbetter #nonprofit

Pride-related marketing is usually a crock of crap 🏳️🌈 Every year, more and more businesses will switch out their profile pictures for rainbow logos. They’ll put out rainbow merchandise or drag a poor LGBTQ+ employee out in front of a camera to talk about their diversity and inclusion efforts. And more often than not, it reads as authentically as a politician’s apology 😖 It begs the question, is there such a thing as ethical marketing as it relates to Pride? Can businesses profit from their LGBTQ+ marketing without it being an ethical issue? Well, I’d say there are some important considerations to make before taking a tumble and a stumble down rainbow road: 🏳️🌈 Do proceeds of your LGBTQ+ product or service go to reputable charities or initiatives? (1p per sweatshirt made in a sweatshop in a country against LGBTQ+ rights and by underpaid and overworked people doesn’t count.) 🏳️🌈 Will you stand your ground when the social media hate inevitably floods in, making sure hate comments are reported? (Not like Innocent who removed posts relating to gender diversity after backlash last year.) 🏳️🌈 Will you put values over perceived profit when the political climate means businesses promoting social issues get picked apart online? 🏳️🌈 Are you putting the voices of LGBTQ+ people first for allyship, rather than using your platform for a pat on the back? 🏳️🌈 Do you advocate for the community as part of your diversity and inclusion policies and initiatives all year round, and listen to your LGBTQ+ employees? Pride is one month, but the community doesn’t get to drop out every other month of the year the way businesses do. And I’ll always put my money towards the businesses that genuinely make an effort year round and make an effort for Pride. Not those who post one RuPaul quote and change their logo back from the rainbow one come July 🥹 Pride is about awareness, but advocacy is a lifelong commitment. #ButItAintNoLie #BabyImBiBiBi #GetYourPrideMarketingNSync

I’m excited to share that I’ll be speaking at the Women in Manufacturing Summit this October in Boston! 🎉 My session, “Breaking Molds: Charting LGBTQ+ Journeys in the Manufacturing Landscape,” will highlight the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of LGBTQ+ individuals within the manufacturing industry, with a focus on fostering diversity and inclusivity. 🌈 I’m reaching out to connect with any amazing LGBTQ+ folks who work in manufacturing and might be open to discussing their experiences. If you or someone you know is interested in sharing their experiences, please reach out. Together, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. 🤝✨ Key discussion points: - Overcoming industry challenges as an LGBTQ+ individual 🛠️ - The impact of LGBTQ+ identity on career trajectories 📈 - Effective support systems for LGBTQ+ employees in manufacturing 💡 - Strategies for companies to enhance LGBTQ+ inclusion 🏳️🌈 - Inspiring success stories and breakthroughs 🌟 Let’s work together to break down barriers and create a more equitable future for all. 💪💜

Pride parades in major UK cities are often used by brands for 'Rainbow Washing' purposes 🌈 Rainbow Washing, also known as Pink Washing, is the practice of exploiting the LGBTQ+ community to boost PR and sales, without making any real action or long-term commitments. This year, however, there's a slight but positive change at London Pride. The organisers have launched a new initiative, 'Pride in the City,' a year-round partner programme for brands interested in joining the capital’s procession. For a commitment of just over £7,000, sponsors can secure a spot in the parade and receive training on various topics. These include making trans and nonbinary colleagues feel more welcome in the office and creating an inclusive workplace. Why is this important? 🤔 It's refreshing to see, especially in 2024, efforts to tackle the exploitation of minorities for brand promotion. Maintaining positive PR should be about year-round effort and meaningful changes, not just adding a rainbow overlay to a profile picture. Every little step counts ✅ As long as genuine effort is put into inclusivity, it won’t go unnoticed! #marketing #pride #london #inclusion

If you missed the allyship webinar last week this short article has the key messages. Most are useful for allyship generally.