3 Companies Prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
By Maurice Hughes
Director of Diversity Outreach
June 17, 2023
During LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we’ve got you covered as we feature three companies prioritizing DEI. Check out these inspiring ideas and consider adding them to your or your clients’ marketing plans in the future.
June is nationally recognized as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Milwaukee is known as an “underappreciated gay mecca” with its nearly 100 years of long and colorful LGBTQIA history. From having one of the oldest gay bars in the country (This is It, located in Cathedral Square) to being the first state to elect three openly LGBTQ representatives to Congress. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎🤍
The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia, and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world.
Here are three companies that have shown their solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.
🏳️🌈 Verizon 🏳️⚧️
Visible (Verizon’s all-digital wireless service) premiered its new Pride campaign and retro game show, No Straight Answers on June 1. The show honors the 1970s (the decade in which Pride celebrations began) and is hosted by Benito Skinner who is known for his TikTok persona, Benny Drama.
During the show, social media stars and queer activists go head-to-head in a spirited game that celebrates the individuals who paved the way for Pride to become what it is today. The campaign was developed and produced by the creative collective Madwell Agency (located in Brooklyn & Denver).
Along with their game show, Visible is also launching its year-long support of Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders (SAGE), to help combat loneliness for LGBTQ+ elders by driving conversations between them and younger generations.
🍭 Milwaukee County Transit System 🌈
Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) on Wednesday unveiled its second employee-designed Pride Bus in honor of LGBT Pride Month. The bus was designed by MCTS employee Brianne Mueller (graphic artist and print coordinator) and revealed at a Milwaukee County Pride Month kickoff event.
The bus designed by Mueller is a brand new clean diesel and will run for a full year so Milwaukee residents will have ample opportunities to see her work. Along with wrapping the bus in Progress Pride Flag colors, there is also a Safe Place decal (which is on every bus), the letters ”MKE” and MCTS’s company theme for 2023 “The bus is for all of us.” ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎🤍
🌈 Kohl’s 🎨
Kohl’s is celebrating Pride Month by featuring bold prints and vibrant colors designed by Kohl’s Diversity Design Council and associates who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community. The Sonoma Collection, which is available online and in person, features a variety of items from clothing to home goods.
Along with the retail portion, Kohl’s has also donated $100,000 to the Trevor Project (which serves over 1,100 LGBTQIA+ youth with free counseling services) to participate in various parades and local volunteer initiatives throughout the month. (On a side note, notice the feature this site has implemented for safety reasons including a blurred page load and a Quick Exit button.)
Also, check out Kohl’s Pride page showing all the ways Kohl’s is committed to supporting the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community, not just this month, but all year long.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month can be a year-round affair involving DE&I and LGBTQ+ inclusive marketing strategies to show solidarity, respect, and inclusion. Let’s not let PRIDE month be the only time we focus on this important and meaningful topic.
We wish you and your team a safe, happy, and celebratory Pride-filled month with learning and fun.
