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Big Gay Lifestyle is coming soon!
GlobalGoogle goes gay W
hen it comes to celebrating Pride, one of the companies that stands out for its commitment is Google. Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe, Google’s
Head of Diversity and Inclusion for Europe, Middle East and Africa talks about Google’s 2011 Pride celebrations.
Q: Google has a great reputation as a gay- friendly employer and being so actively involved in Pride must be a big part of this. MPE: Absolutely. Pride celebrations are a time for family, friends and members of the Google LGBT community to reiterate their commitment to equality and to honour those pioneers whose efforts made it possible for us to stand out and be proud today. Every year, we participate in Pride celebrations across the world and I believe that this sends a powerful message to our employees, our customers and our users.
Q: Which Pride celebrations are Google
involved in during 2011? MPE: Google’s Pride celebrations started back in March when we sponsored Sydney Mardi Gras, and during the year we will be involved in a series of Pride events across the US, including New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago and Pittsburg. We also have Pride events planned in Dublin, Madrid, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Warsaw, Zurich and Bangalore .
Q: It is great that you sponsor Pride and
encourage your staff to participate in Pride marches but what about those who can’t attend? MPE: I see Pride as an opportunity to involve the whole organisation in understanding and celebrating the importance of Pride and what it stands for. We do this through Pride-themed celebrations in our offices as well as Pride-themed events throughout June, which this year will include a Trans 101 Workshop and panel discussion hosted by the Transgender Law Centre and Human Rights Watch; a speaker series featuring
the first event of its kind and the biggest in europe hits london in october. the Big Gay lifestyle Show’s theme is a unique celebration of 50 years of lGBt life, showcasing the diversity of the lGBt community, with an action-packed line-up of big acts and lGBt talent. there will also be a selection of themed gay villages covering everything from leisure, travel to parenting and beauty.
our gay employees; and a number of social events including film nights and networking events. In many offices, we host social events, themed dinners and talks by LGBT employees – there is a real Pride buzz at this time of year! All of this is important as it reinforces Google’s inclusive culture, raises awareness about LGBT issues and helps to foster heterosexual allies across the organisation.
Q: You’re holding Pride celebrations in Singapore, aren’t you? Tell us about that. MPE: I’m really excited about the fact that Google take such an active role in Pride in countries where Pride is in its infancy. This year, Google is proud to be the first corporate sponsor of the Singapore Pink Dot celebrations. The event, which was started in 2009, brings together gay and straight Singaporeans to show their solidarity and support for Singapore’s LGBT community. By being actively involved in Pride celebrations in countries such as Poland, India and Singapore, we send a powerful message to the local community that we support their efforts for equality.
Q: What other
ways does Google support its LGBT employees? MPE: Google works closely with the Gayglers [members of our LGBT employee network] world- wide to ensure that we create a fair, equitable, great place to work for LGBT employees. In 2010, Google was one of the first companies to gross- up employees’ salaries to take account of the inequality in tax treatment on health insurance benefits for same-sex domestic partners in the US. We collaborate with Gayglers on policy, benefits design, recruitment initiatives and more. Google is proud to support LGBT employees on Pride day and every day of the year.
The show is brought to you by Square Peg Media (publishers of award-winning lesbian magazine g3 and gay men’s publication Out in the City, who are working with the into-events company to bring Pride-style festivities and entertainment to the show. For the first time, issues of importance to the gay community are addressed under one roof in London’s Covent Garden, all lashed together with a sense of discovery and fun. The event, which is
sponsored by
Gaydar.com and
Gaydargirls.co.uk, will work in partnership with, among others, Stonewall. Event Director, Fiona Marshall comments: “In the past, similar events have been weather-dependent, or staged in less approachable postcodes. This event is taking place centrally in the appropriately named Grand Connaught Rooms; this really will be a big day out.” The event kicks off
at 11am. Organisers will be announcing more over the next few months. The event promises to be a highlight within the LGBT calendar.
for more information:
www.biggaylifestyle.com.
‘unity
Pride 2011 • 69 london
Pic top Google at Tel Aviv Pride 2010: Duby Bar-Tal
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