Going beyond social media posts, these companies have spent Pride Month creating safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community.
With Pride Month coming to a close, let’s take a look at how a couple of companies have been celebrating in the Philippines.
While there are brands whose commitment to the cause end at commemorative Pride Month posts and selling rainbow themed products, others have taken further steps to making a positive impact for the LGBTQIA+ community.
READ ALSO: Celebrate And Honor: Five Luxury Brands Giving Back To The LGBTQ+ Community
Chroma Hospitality
Chroma Hospitality has organized a series of events and exhibitions in support of the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) bill across their hotels and resorts.
On June 2, Crimson Alabang launched an exhibit in collaboration with renowned LGBTQ+ advocate QueenMelo Esguerra. During the entire month, Crimson Alabang’s Café Eight hosted dinner buffets and drag shows every Friday and Saturday.
Exhibits and drag shows were also held at Quest Plus Clark, Quest Cebu, and Crimson Boracay. Meanwhile, all hotels and resorts under the company offered special room packages for a relaxing and inclusive Pride Month experience.
A portion of the proceeds from these packages will be donated to Love Yourself Inc. The organization is committed to promoting HIV awareness and providing support services to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Google PH
Google’s Philippines division joined forces with LGBTQIA+ content creators for its annual fourth edition of Pride Conversations: #CreateSafeSpaces.
Held at Google Uptown Mall HQ on Tuesday, June 20, the discussion focused on the importance of allyship and the role of safe spaces online and offline.
Miss Trans Global 2020, Mela Habijan, hosted the event which featured content creators JM Banquicio, Johnreyslife, Levi Reyes and Sara De Guzman (a.k.a DarlingsPH), and drag queen Marina Summers.
When asked how it felt when they started sharing their stories and experiences through YouTube, De Guzman replied “We feel more empowered than ever before. We are thankful for the community because they treated us no different.”
PSG Global Solutions
Recruitment agency PSG Global Solutions had several initiatives with the aim to create a safe workplace where employees feel supported and respected.
They spent Pride Month hosting activities to bring awareness to the LGBTQIA+ community, such as Radiate With Pride (a make up competition) and a talk by Ron de Vera (Equality Alliance, SAFE Philippines, and ASEAN SOGIE Caucus).
To wrap up the month of June, PSG Global Solutions joined its first ever Pride March in Makati. “This is not just a celebration but a remembrance of our continuous fight for LGBTQ+ rights and the recognition of diverse identities across the world,” the company wrote in its Instagram account.
Cebu Pacific
During the first week of June, Cebu Pacific held its first Pride flight as part of the #LetsFlyEveryone campaign. A crew of LGBTQIA+ members and allies operated Flight 5J 905 from Manila to Boracay.
Led by captains Bensie Tan and Bettina Mercado, the team included first officers Lorenz Montinola and Chezka Carandang, together with Christopher Ian Mau, Kevin Jason Baetiong, Kimberly Naval, Niña Marudo, and Mikee Vitug.
The entire flight treated its passengers to Pride-themed giveaways, games, and an exclusive chance to win a free round trip domestic flight ticket, among others.
Throughout the month of June, the airline also hosted various training and online courses to foster equity and gender sensitivity in the workplace.
Banner image by Karolina Grabowska via Pexels.
