Celebrating diversity and inclusivity should happen every day at our workplaces, and that’s why we’ve launched our Pride Line with a renewed sense of intention and purpose. Here, we share our journey, our steps, and our commitment to supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community during Pride Month and beyond.
Last year we reflected on our Pride sales and recognized we could do more to support the community on a deeper level. That’s why we added a 5% giveback donation to Rainbow Railroad on every Pride-related item we sell from May – June 15th. Rainbow Railroad is a non-profit that has helped over 13,000 2SLGBTQ+ individuals find safety through emergency relocation, crisis response, cash assistance, and other forms of help.
One of the highlights of our Pride Line is the use of fonts designed by queer artists. This choice reflects our commitment to showcasing the talent and creativity within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. By incorporating these unique fonts, we’re creating beautiful products and celebrating the artists behind them.
Our goal in our Pride campaign was to support as many 2SLGBTQ+ suppliers as possible. However, there are very few in our current supplier network that identify as queer-owned. This is likely due to a combination of long-term systemic barriers and the stigma that still exists. Unfortunately, there may be 2SLGBTQ+ businesses that are hesitant to share their identity for fear of their business or overall safety. We want to do our part within the industry to help improve this. Our Environment & Social Impact Director, Reba Joy, is participating in an industry-wide Pride group called PRISM and speaking up at conferences about their identity in hopes that we continuously improve acceptance and belonging for all. We are also actively seeking to onboard more 2SLGBTQ+ suppliers and encourage our community to share their favourites. Your recommendations can help us expand our network and support even more 2SLGBTQ+ businesses!
We understand that creating a genuinely inclusive campaign is an ongoing process. We’ve made strides this year, but we also recognize that there’s always room for improvement. We’re committed to learning from our experiences and improving our Pride Line next year. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us achieve this goal.
While Pride Month is a beautiful time to celebrate, Pride should be celebrated year-round. Our commitment to inclusivity and support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community doesn’t end in June. We want to make every month an opportunity to uplift and celebrate diversity.
We invite you to explore our Pride Line 2024 page on our website and celebrate Pride with intention. Together, we can make a lasting impact and continue to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community in meaningful ways.
We hope you join us in this celebration, support, and continuous improvement journey. Let’s make Pride a part of our everyday lives and create a more inclusive world.
