Celebrating Pride at Sharethrough: 3 Steps Taken Towards Cultivating Acceptance

At Sharethrough, we strive for a diverse, unique, open and caring company culture. Our ongoing goals and objectives reflect our efforts to consistently embed diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives into our company culture.

This year we wanted to grow our involvement in the national pride month celebrations, so we came up with our latest internal activity: Pride Week. The yearly initiative serves as a way to further educate our employees about the 2SLGBTQ+ community and provide them with  actionable tools and resources to get involved in the discussion. Pride week featured a variety of workshops, activities, fireside chats, and daily reflections across all of our offices, furthering the conversation surrounding the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Why Pride Week?

Pride Month is an entire month dedicated  to recognizing, honoring, and standing in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQ+  community. The celebration serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for equality, acceptance, and the rights of individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Pride celebrations not only provide a safe and inclusive space for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals to express their authentic selves, but also help raise awareness, educate, and promote understanding among people from all walks of life. 

So why is it important for Sharethrough? By celebrating Pride, we actively challenge discrimination and create an environment that embraces diversity, respect, and love. It is a time to unite, celebrate progress, and continue advocating for a future where everyone can live and love freely, without fear of prejudice or discrimination.

3 Steps Taken Towards Uplifting, Celebrating and Supporting Pride Month

1. Guest Speaker Presentations: Meet Guillaume Michaud

Guest speakers have the power to motivate and inspire, and Sharethrough was extremely lucky to have Guillaume Michaud, artist and DJ based in Montreal, shed light on what it was like discovering himself and embracing his true identity within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. He was open and generous while sharing his personal journey of self-discovery, the challenges he faced and the triumphs he achieved along the way.

As a multidisciplinary artist from Montreal, Guillaume explained how his various artistic pursuits allowed him to explore different facets of his identity and ultimately allowed him to express himself authentically. His experiences with renowned companies (like Cirque du Soleil!) showcased his talent and determination, proving that he could excel in multiple artistic domains. Throughout his fireside chat, he emphasized the importance of representation and visibility within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. He recognized that by embracing his true self, he became a source of inspiration and paved the way for others to do the same.

Guillaume's story inspired the Sharethrough community, as 30 people sat in silence and awe listening to him speak in person and virtually). It highlighted the power of authenticity, self-expression, and embracing one's uniqueness. His journey served as a reminder that by staying true to ourselves, we can not only achieve personal fulfillment but also inspire and uplift others.

After the fireside chat, Guillaume stuck around to participate in a pride-themed happy hour. Thank you for inspiring us all with your stories, insights, and wisdom!

2. Furthering the Conversation on Inclusive Language With Wendy Jensen 

Pronouns and inclusive language has been quite a trending topic in recent months, and there are still tons of people out there who are unsure of the best practices. So we figured – What better a time to educate our employees on the importance of inclusive language than during Pride Week? 

Wendy Jensen, Talent Acquisition Specialist put together a workshop on the topic, highlighting the importance of using inclusive language to shed light on the stark contrast between inclusive and exclusive language, and emphasizing the impact on employee motivation.

During the workshop, Wendy also demonstrated the power of using pronouns and how they contribute to fostering an inclusive workplace. She emphasized that acknowledging and respecting individuals' preferred pronouns is not only an act of validation but also a way to honor their identities and create a sense of belonging within our organization.

To further engage the participants and encourage active learning, Wendy concluded the workshop with an insightful activity aimed at debunking common myths surrounding inclusive language. By challenging preconceived notions and providing factual information, she dispelled misconceptions and fostered a deeper understanding among the attendees.

Take a look at the myths we debunked below.

1. "Inclusive Language is Unnecessary; Everyone Understands What I Mean"

Sharethroughers expressed that language shapes our perceptions and can unintentionally exclude or marginalize certain groups. Inclusive language helps ensure that communication is respectful, avoids assumptions, and promotes understanding among people from diverse backgrounds.

2. "Inclusive Language is Limiting and Restricts Freedom of Expression"

Sharethroughers debunked this myth by saying inclusive language actually expands our vocabulary and encourages us to find inclusive alternatives that accurately and respectfully represent diverse identities. It allows for more nuanced and inclusive 

3. "Inclusive Language is Only Relevant for Certain Groups of People"

Sharethroughers said that inclusive language benefits everyone, regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. It promotes inclusivity, respect, and understanding among all individuals.

4. "Inclusive Language is a Recent Trend or Fad"

Sharethroughers argued this myth by saying that people have long advocated for inclusive language to challenge discrimination, promote equality, and create more inclusive societies. Inclusive language is an ongoing effort to address historical biases and create more respectful and inclusive communication practices.

The workshop led by Wendy served as a catalyst for meaningful conversations and personal reflection. We gained awareness of the impact of language on employee motivation and the crucial role it plays in building an inclusive and empowering work environment. 

Check out these resources to learn more about the importance of inclusive language and the use of pronouns!

• What’s the Deal with Gender Pronouns? Why Language Matters
• It Gets Better Canada
• Why Inclusive Language Matters

3. Leading Through Action - Getting Involved in Pride Month

Sharethrough utilized its internal communication platform, Slack, to gather everyone and have a weekly channel dedicated to our Pride activities. Through the platform, we asked Sharethroughers a few questions to get us talking about Pride Week and its various initiatives.

"What Was Your Favorite Pride Event You Attended?"

Ari Belliu, Marketing Communication Specialist shared his knowledge on Queer Skate Toronto This is what he had to say: 

“ Queer Skate Toronto is very inclusive, kind and supportive for all skill levels. I try to join every skate jam that I can and support the org through food or spare parts/board donations. I highly encourage folks to give skateboarding a go! It’s great exercise, convenient to carry around, and inexpensive to get started! You might even get asked to be in a music video like I did!! Sharethrough’s Wellness Fund has allowed me to buy a new board every season along with spare parts, wheels, and shoes with more than half the wellness fund amount still left over.

"Share Someone in the Community You Look up to and Find Inspiring"

Matthew Workman, Marketing Coordinator at Sharethrough, shared his admiration for the musical artist Frank Ocean.

“For me, as a huge music guy - it's gotta be Frank Ocean. Singer-songwriter and member of the hip-hop collective Odd Future - Frank is best known for his debut mixtape, 'nostalgia, ULTRA,' and the subsequent albums 'channel ORANGE' and 'Blonde.' Frank hasn't been super loud about his sexuality, but in 2012 he revealed that his debut album was largely inspired by his first experience of true love - an unrequited love he held at 19 years-old for a man. Frank later issued a heartfelt and inspiring statement after the 2016 Orlando gay nightclub shooting in which 49 people were murdered. If you haven't already checked out his music before, I strongly urge you to do so. Frank keeps a pretty low key profile, and doesn't do many interviews, which is part of what makes him such a mysterious artist, but you can find a pretty cool essay he wrote back in 2018 as part of an interview with ID here.”

"Share a Pride Event You Would Like to Attend in the Future"

Marine Saint-Cyr, Student at Law shared that she will be attending the Montreal Pride Parade!

“Montreal's Pride Festival is in August! I think I'd like to attend the Parade for the first time ever this year”

Montreal’s Pride Parade has been around since 1979 and is put on by the city every year in the month of August.

Michael Foster, Director of Product Management is heading to a Drag Brunch at Beaux SF! Drag typically refers to a form of performance art and self-expression associated with the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Performances often involve lip-syncing, dancing, comedy, and theatrical acts, and they are commonly showcased in venues such as bars, clubs, and LGBTQ+ events!

Sharethrough recognizes that embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive workplace was not just a one-month effort but an ongoing commitment. The Pride activities served as a foundation for continuous dialogue, education, and support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, ensuring that Sharethrough remains an inclusive and affirming environment for all employees. We aim to create a space where everyone's voices could be heard, valued, and embraced, encouraging a culture of acceptance, creativity, and respect.

Want to learn more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Sharethrough? Make sure to reach out to us, we’d love to hear from you!