Belonging doesn't happen by chance. It's built through the everyday actions, conversations and communities that help people feel seen, supported and able to be themselves. Pride Month is a moment to celebrate the people who make that possible.
This year, Pryde, our LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, marked Pride Month with celebrations in London and New York, fundraising for Just Like Us, and community initiatives across Paddington Central.
Celebrating community in London
In London, our annual Pride Party welcomed colleagues for an evening of cabaret, bingo and fundraising in support of LGBT+ youth charity, Just Like Us. Hosted by London's fabulous drag cabaret duo, the evening was filled with entertainment, laughter and plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues, all while raising money for an important cause.
Centred around the theme of Love, Pride and Chosen Family, the celebration recognised the friends, colleagues, partners and communities who help us feel supported, connected and able to be ourselves.
Signing up to be a part of Pryde was one of the first things I did when I joined Hyve. I remember the ERGs being an important part of my introduction to the organisation, something that points to a company-wide commitment to celebrating colleagues, no matter their identity. The work that we do throughout the year is both immensely rewarding and a lot of good fun too, and the connections that come from this are special and profound.
Kicking off Pride in NYC
In New York, more than 40 colleagues headed to Henrietta Hudson, an iconic lesbian and queer bar in the West Village, to kick off Pride Month together. The evening included pizza from a local favourite, Pride-themed drinks, dancing and an optional creative writing workshop, giving the team the chance to celebrate Pride and connect outside the office.
Pride Month is such a joyful time at Hyve because we have the opportunity to celebrate our community — and that includes all our amazing allies. As New York Chair of Pryde, I can't wait to continue our year-round programme and build on the momentum of Pride Month. Impact beyond the office
Pride Month also provided an opportunity to support the communities around us.
Together with British Land, Microsoft and neighbouring organisations across Paddington Central, colleagues in our London office took part in Jerseys for Just Like Us, swapping business attire for football shirts in a World Cup-inspired fundraiser.
The initiative raised awareness and funds for Just Like Us, helping support LGBTQ+ young people across the UK while celebrating the role sport can play in bringing people together.
Jerseys for Just Like Us brings together the spirit of Pride and the buzz of The World Cup. The initiative was inspired by occupiers at Paddington Central and felt like a fantastic way to support the incredible work Just Like Us does to foster greater inclusion and champion LGBT+ youth across the UK.Pride Month may have come to a close, but our commitment to inclusion continues throughout the year.
A huge thank you to Pryde for organising this year's celebrations, to everyone who joined us across London and New York, and to our partners across Paddington Central for helping make Pride Month such a success.
Together, we'll continue building a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can be themselves.
