Pride Month 2023: Meaningful Practices to Pair with Your Company’s Promotional Products

Happy Pride Month from Staples Promo! Each year this month is marked by colorful parades and celebrations to promote awareness, acceptance, and equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

In preparation for Pride Month 2023, Staples Promo supplied companies across the country with personalized Pride products to have on hand for events throughout the month. In addition to passing out custom rainbow-colored promotional items at parades, it’s important to take the time to participate in conversations, initiatives, and events that directly impact and support the LGBTQ+ community.

Last year, nearly 34% of consumers were skeptical of companies who released Pride-themed merchandise, noting that companies release these products for publicity as opposed to doing good. To avoid this connotation and better connect with your LGBTQ+ customers, clients, and employees, it’s important to pair meaningful action with your company’s custom Pride products . Here are three ideas for doing just that.

Donate to LGBTQ+ Organizations

One of the most impactful ways a company can celebrate Pride Month is by donating directly to organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Donations to charitable organizations such as The Trevor Project, The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and others help fund vital programs that provide support, education, and resources to individuals struggling or facing discrimination in the LGBTQ+ community.

Raising money for these initiatives demonstrates your company’s commitment to the community, as well as to your LGBTQ+ employees and company diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. If ordering promotional products for Pride month, sell them to customers and employees, and donate a portion of the funds raised to an LGBTQ+ charity of your choosing.

Educational Workshops and Panel Discussions

Hosting educational events throughout Pride Month allows companies to create safe spaces for dialogue and learning, ensuring employees and customers have opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the LGBTQ+ community’s challenges and history. These events can include workshops, panel discussions, guest speakers, or DEI training sessions to promote allyship and awareness. Additionally, companies can collaborate with nonprofits or organizations on these events to provide audiences with outside perspectives from professionals and advocates actively working in the community. Plus, you can give all attendees free company Pride merchandise for attending the event, such as t-shirts, tote bags, or keychains.

Volunteer Time Off (VTO) or Volunteer Outings

Offering employees VTO or hosting a company volunteer outing for Pride month is an easy way to engage colleagues and actively support the LGBTQ+ community. Volunteer work can take various forms, including volunteering at local Pride celebrations, or taking the day to volunteer at LGBTQ+ centers, shelters, or youth organizations. You can also order Pride shirts for employees to wear at the outing, allowing your team to show up as a unified front.

In addition, you can volunteer your company’s time and resources to host members of the LGBTQ+ community at your workplace. This could include collaborating with local schools or community organizations on workplace events that are open to the public, allowing your local LGBTQ+ to experience your office and position you as an inclusive company and employer.

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