myGwork Celebrates WorkPride Success at London’s Sea Life
News
myGwork’s fourth annual WorkPride conference, spanning five days from 19-23 June, proved to be another huge hit, attracting thousands of participants from all corners of the globe who joined the many important conversations on workplace inclusion. myGwork closed the WorkPride conference this year by celebrating at London’s stunning Sea Life Aquarium with hundreds of guests, including many of the events speakers, sponsors and participants on Friday evening (June 23). Check out the photos below (which can also be downloaded in the link here).
Themed #WorkingWithPride, this year's five-day conference boasted over 200 expert speakers across 59 panels, to share best practices and tools to help create safe and inclusive workplaces for all. WorkPride 2023 included a hybrid opening event in Madrid’s Casa de America which was attended by high-profile ambassadors.
WorkPride also doubled the number of workshops this year enabling more learning opportunities to help LGBTQ+ professionals progress up the career ladder. The conference also enjoyed a record number of participants attending more than five sessions, who received a certificate of inclusion.
"We are thrilled to witness the resounding success of the WorkPride Conference, a global virtual event, which has brought together organizations, professionals, and advocates from around the world,” shared myGwork’s co-founders Adrien and Pierre Gaubert. “The impact and reach of WorkPride has surpassed our wildest expectations, igniting conversations, fostering connections and inspiring change. Together, we are creating a future where every individual can bring their authentic selves to work, knowing that they are valued, respected, and celebrated."
Michelle Raymond, Business Development Director at myGwork, added: "I am incredibly proud to announce that our annual LGBTQ+ Conference, WorkPride, has achieved remarkable heights this year, becoming our biggest conference to date. WorkPride serves as a pivotal platform where professionals, organizations, and allies come together to champion LGBTQ+ inclusion and drive meaningful change. By creating an environment that celebrates diversity and empowers individuals to be their authentic selves, we are reshaping the landscape of workplaces worldwide. The success of WorkPride underscores the profound significance of workplace equality, reminding us that together, we can create a future where everyone feels valued, respected, and embraced for who they are."
myGwork would like to thank all participants that attended, the sponsors (including the day sponsors Booking.com, EY, State Street, Danaher, and RS Group) , as well as all the hosts and 200+ speakers for the insightful conversations that inspired change during this year's WorkPride. Discussions, which including a keynote from renowned musician, educator and activist Tona Brown, not only highlighted the very many challenges that the LGBTQ+ community continue to face at work, but also offered much-needed advice on how to overcome them.
A wide range of LGBTQ+ professionals and allies shared their stories and insights how the community can be better represented in the workplace. Focusing on topics such as intersectional equality, global allyship, how to make the most out of Pride Month, and much more, each panel featured a variety of speakers from different intersectional perspectives and lived experiences. Here is just a selection of some of the inspiring quotes from our WorkPride 2023 panels:
- “Whether you’re LGBTQ+ or an ally, every single person’s journey is different. If you are able right now to lead out loud in the workplace, please do be visible. Please be vocal, please challenge behavior and please be you.” Cara Heaney, EY
- “Allyship builds allyship. It's one of those things where you can bring people on the journey along with you. Get involved with your employee resource groups & communities in your neighborhood. Any first step is a great first step.” Courtney Zehnder, RS Group
- "We need people who will seek out transgender people in different professions and see if there's things that they can do to uplift those people. We need people who are going to stand up when they see injustice in the workplace." Tona Brown, musician, educator and activist.
- "Companies must focus on creating an environment that will allow people to improve their core capabilities - including emotional intelligence and critical, adaptive thinking - and inclusive and diverse practices." Monika Jankowska-Rangelov, State Street
- “Life is made richer with new experiences. But it's only possible to fully appreciate them when you can travel as your authentic self. Yet our research shows that over half of LGBTQ+ travelers have had less than welcoming experiences.” Olivia McEvoy, Booking.Com
- “Be what you want to be, when you want. I switched so many labels. When the shoe fits, it'll be comfortable because authenticity is comfortable. It just takes a little bit of bravery to find it.” Ali Devries, Danaher
- "An ally is someone who can stand beside us when we need support, stand behind us when we need backup, and stand in front of us when we need protection." Tracy Walker, Unilever
- "I am crystal clear that the privileges I live with today have been fought for by the generations before me. Then even further back, there were folks who are nameless who lived in silence and in hiding just because what they what you know what was in their hearts wasn't allowed. Those sacrifices deserve my pause, that's what Pride Month is for me. I encourage everyone to recognize the privilege you have today that you can live your lives more openly because again, this price was paid by folks back in the day." Chris Glass, Soho House
- "Our progress is because we protest. And it does not happen quietly, it will happen year after year. That's who we are. We protest for all the people who got us to where we are now, but we still have to protest for ourselves as a way of healing." Vipul Bhatti, MSc Cognition and Computation Student
Finally, myGwork would like to congratulate all the winners of many prizes that were on offer ranging from T-shirts to hotel stays at the TSH Hotels in Madrid, Spain. All of WorkPride 2023’s panels will soon be available to watch on the WorkPride page here.
