Pride in London has updated its requirements so that only corporates that are actively engaging year-round through the Pride in the City programme will be able to march in this year’s Parade.
In the past, every corporate entry for the Parade has been screened based on their LGBTQ+ inclusion policies, initiatives and outcomes. But for 2024 Pride in London says it’s taking further measures designed to help prevent so-called ‘pinkwashing’.
Dee Llewellyn, Director of Partnerships & Growth at Pride in London, said: “It’s about time that we set the bar higher for businesses marching at Pride in London. We want to be collaborating closely with them to make meaningful progress on LGBTQ+ inclusion in their workplaces all year, not just on the day of the Parade. Because Pride in London is so much more than a march – it’s about creating a world where everyone can be their authentic selves, 365 days a year.”
Pride in London provides initiative members with LGBTQ+ inclusion training on critical topics such as ‘Transgender & Non-Binary inclusion in the workplace’ and ‘Creating an LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace”’ events that connect LGBTQ+ employees and allies with queer community groups, activists and grassroots organisations; networking opportunities to empower and professionally advance LGBTQ+ employees and employee resource groups.
In turn, Pride in the City members not only help make the Pride in London Parade possible and free for anyone to attend, but they also make it clear that they’re standing up for the LGBTQ+ community 365 days a year.
Craig Buckland, EMEA Pride co-lead at Cisco, said: “The Pride in the City programme provides Cisco with an essential space to collaborate with a range of organisations, create change-making connections and give a platform to inspirational LGBTQ+ causes.”
As well as working to unite the LGBTQ+ community’s voice, amplify diversity and protest against inequality, Pride in the City also runs the Unity Fund, which offers grants to grassroots organisations in London that work to directly improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people, plus events such as the Human Rights Forum.
Applications for Pride in the City and, by extension, corporate entries into the Parade, close February 29 2024. For more information on Pride in the City, visit Pride in the City.
