Celebrating Pride Month

At Sartorius, two Employee Resource Groups, the global LGBT+ Friends Alliance and the North America Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee, hosted several events throughout Pride Month in June to recognize the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals, raise awareness of the issues that continue to affect the community, and to cultivate a culture of diversity and inclusion in the company. 

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Pride Month is a commemorative month dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, to promote their rights and well-being. Its origins lie in the Stonewall riots in the U.S. in 1969 – a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

To spotlight the achievements and stories of LGBTQ+ individuals at Sartorius, employees were invited to join a virtual event, hosted by the LGBT+ Friends Alliance. Offering a chance to inspire, educate and connect, as well as a brief journey through LGBTQ+ history, the meeting featured a panel discussion where employees from the LGBTQ+ community shared their journeys, experiences and challenges with the participants from Sartorius' sites around the globe.

LGBTQ+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and other identities.

In the U.S., the North America Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee hosted a Pride Celebration and Employee Appreciation Party at the company’s site in Bohemia.

Committee members, allies and other interested employees were invited to come together, discuss and exchange ideas. A highlight was the LGBT Trivia Contest, where participants had a chance to test their knowledge of LGBT history and pop culture.
 

We’ve committed ourselves to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the company. Events like this are not just a gathering, they are a celebration of pride, an acknowledgement of the progress we have already made on this way, and a step towards an environment where everybody can be their authentic selves and thrive.

Marie Brandt, founder of the LGBT+Friends Alliance

Furthermore, members of the Committee as well as employees from the Bohemia site joined the festivities at the annual Long Island Pride Parade in Huntington, New York – an event organized by Sartorius’ partner organization LGBT Network.

With a vibrant presence among the participants from various groups and companies, the Sartorius community marched and stood in unity with the LGBTQ+ community. The event, which was co-sponsored by Sartorius, marked its 34^th edition and attracts thousands of people, features stunning parade floats, a concert and a festival.