Pride is just the beginning

From the desk of CEO Toby Hervey

By this time next week, the rainbow decorations will be gone from the storefront windows, companies’ social media profile pictures will be back to their original colors, and the glitter and confetti will have (mostly) washed off your city’s sidewalks. The month-long celebration of Pride may be wrapping up around the world this weekend, but the realities of being an LGBTQ+ person in the workplace don’t stop on July 1.

The fight for acceptance and inclusion isn’t over for LGBTQ+ employees. Twenty-nine states still allow anti-LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination, including firing someone for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Nearly half of LGBTQ+ employees are closeted at work, fearing harassment or damage to their careers. And according to our research, 80% of LGBTQ+ employees are avoiding tough conversations at work due to negative past experiences.

Being a truly inclusive company means taking the time to understand the very real ways that aspects of a person’s identity affect their lives at work, taking steps to eliminate the double standards of respectability that exist for marginalized groups, and, above all, creating a culture that allows for open and honest conversations.

As a gay professional, I know firsthand the importance of creating an environment where everyone can bring their full, true selves to work. In founding Bravely, I’ve sought not only to do exactly that at my own company, but to empower other companies to do the same. Creating an inclusive workplace is an ongoing effort—there’s always something new to learn, and more that can be done.

I’m so grateful to the companies that have joined us by committing to work more Bravely, and look forward to welcoming more. Happy Pride—today, tomorrow, and all year ‘round.

All the best,

Toby Hervey