Our Pride Statement - You can't take on the world, but you can take on an industry.

As a company, Tell is committed to accessibility and inclusion which means we prioritise learning. Not only do we know the importance of pride month, but we also want to commit to recognising and celebrating these historic moments of social progress all year round.

As in all sectors, the technical production industry is failing to sufficiently represent minorities in its workforces. A study from the Institution of Engineering and Technology claimed that 1/3 of LGBTQIA+ workers tend to avoid jobs in STEM. A figure which suggests technical environments are generally seen as outdated and unwelcoming to marginalised groups. When it comes to research, information regarding representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals on screen is ample, while there is very little about their representation behind the screen. According to CIPD one of the main factors contributing to job satisfaction for the LGBTQIA+ community is the ability to “meet others across the organisation, share experiences, support each other”. It seems that one of the main priorities in most industries, particularly in tech, is to create an environment where one can not only be themselves, but can be so openly and unashamedly.

We don’t believe in wasting time by sitting and pondering, but believe that change can only happen when you use your initiative. A recent article published by LinkedIn titled ‘Approach Pride Month With Authenticity, Empathy and Creativity’, prompted us to consider how we can participate in the conversations and celebrations surrounding pride. In this article, Ana Ontoria Briones offers invaluable advice on how to create a pride campaign that offers true allyship and support to marginalised communities. Starting now.

‘Transform the momentum you build talking about Pride Month into a renewed commitment to using your platform to promote inclusivity and equality year-round.’

We reached out to our team to better understand how companies can meaningfully participate in these conversations. These responses helped to assess what we are currently doing for our LGBTQIA+ team members and what we could do better.

Right now…

• We are committed to creating original content with inclusivity at its core. In both of our ongoing video series, Episodes, and our podcast Tell Talks, we have a range of guests from all walks of life.
• We are known for our friendly and approachable manner. We have been praised by many of our clients and collaborators for creating an atmosphere free of judgement that welcomes communication.

“[we should] Listen to the demands of this group, hire LGBTQIA+ people in their companies, hold meetings and lectures with LGBTQIA+ people.” - Rafael, Administrative Assistant

Moving forward…

• We could be better at educating our team through workshops and lectures regarding inclusion in the workplace and the LGBTQIA+ community in technical production. While, at the same time, tackling more general education such as correct terminologies.

“[terminology] is a massive topic and I think just talking about it once isn't enough [as it] is a complex and forever changing social structure.” - Kat, Producer

• We could be making it even more evident that this is an inclusive workplace where current LGBTQIA+ team members can be themselves, openly. This could be through dedicated campaigns and channels where visibility is key.
• We have the opportunity to begin changing the landscape of technical production. By expanding our network and hiring more diversely we can challenge perceptions of what a Technical Producer, Camera Operator, vMix Operator (etc) ‘looks like’.

In the meantime, we intend to continue celebrating pride beyond June. Some of our team will be sitting down to watch TV and films written/directed by or starring LGBTQIA+ icons and themes. Others may be getting down to a local drag show followed by a fun-filled night out. Others will be dedicating their time to learning by following influencers and LGBTQIA+ personalities, seeking to learn about other experiences while supporting their content. However you choose to celebrate, Tell wishes you a very happy pride!

“Its a constant fight, not only on pride month!” - Jessica, Resources and Logistics Manager