Celebrating Pride: Inclusion and Allyship at Adarma

Emily Cotterill, Talent Acquisition Lead

As we move into June, we are regularly reminded that it’s the month of Pride by the inevitable influx of rainbow logos and themed products to signify ‘support’. But what does it all really mean?

Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a pivotal moment in the fight for gay liberation. These protests sparked a movement that has grown and evolved, highlighting the ongoing struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights and recognition. Whilst we are fortunate in the UK, we have made progressive strides forward in several areas, we also recognise that there is still a long way to go in others.

Pride is a time to honour, celebrate, and support the diverse contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community, but it also has a deeper message: unity, acceptance, and ongoing activism.

What it Means to Me

I’ve never been asked to write a blog before, let alone one about a topic that I struggled to understand and hid from most people for a good chunk of my life. But I hope this gives you some insight into why it’s important to me.

Looking back, I probably should have realised that something felt a bit different much earlier in my life. I was the first female to join our local Cub Scout group, the first female to play football for my school, and Xena Warrior Princess was always one of my favourite TV shows! In reality, I started to explore and understand more about myself when I went to university. However, in hindsight, I did spend most of my first year worrying more about people thinking I was gay rather than spending time working out that I actually was.

Attending Pride events made me realise that there were many other people like me, and that my feelings were completely valid. When I was young, being gay was not openly discussed. It was considered taboo during my school years, so I suppressed my feelings and assumed that being gay didn’t “affect” me.

Pride Defenders at Adarma “Inclusive” is one of our values at Adarma. But what does inclusion look like? And what are we doing to be inclusive all year round? I’ll give you a hint: it’s not just about throwing rainbows and glitter around in June to make us seem more LGBTQIA+ friendly.

Adarma is the first company I’ve felt fully able to express my sexuality without fear of judgement. That’s why this year, me and a few of my colleagues launched Pride Defenders, our first-ever LGBTQIA+ employee-led network. Our group is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and support within Adarma, creating a safe and welcoming space for all employees, regardless of their identity or background, and being an agent for positive change and action. We are here to ensure everyone feels respected and valued for who they are.

Alongside several long-running diversity and inclusion initiatives such as our neurodiversity programme and “Get Started in Cybersecurity” scheme, we genuinely believe in welcoming all differences, championing equality, and fostering a workplace where everyone feels they belong.

Being an ally means more than just being supportive, allies actively participate in creating an inclusive environment for all. Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+, part of another under-represented group, or as an ally, I urge you to consider joining one of your own employee networks. They offer a unique opportunity to connect, share experiences, and collaborate on initiatives that promote inclusivity and are a space for networking, advocacy, and mutual support.

Not Just for June

The outlook isn’t always positive. Worldwide in 2024, 64 countries still criminalise homosexuality. In 12 of these countries, the death penalty is imposed or at least a possibility for private, consensual, same-sex sexual activity.

By sharing this blog, I hope to inspire our wider community to embrace the spirit of Pride – recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and understand the impact great allyship can have in building support and advocating for positive change for the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide.

Throughout June, Pride Defenders are offering various opportunities to engage and support each other in celebrating Pride. Stay tuned for further information and updates on our LinkedIn page here over the next 4 weeks.

Together, we can make a huge difference.

Happy Pride!