Pride honors how far the LGBTQIA+ community has come—and reminds us all how far we still need to go for true equity. LGBTQIA+ people practice resistance through their existence every day—being themselves and discovering self love. 

This Pride Month, BDB is excited to announce the launch of three internal global committees to allow our team members a voice towards our continual improvement. We believe we should all have a voice and should be able to share our ideas, perspectives and differences to ultimately contribute towards a more diverse and inclusive environment. 

With the networks in place, including a LGBTQIA+ network, we would like to continue to promote belonging, purpose and wellbeing. We all know that diversity and equality ignites creativity, problem solving and wellbeing.

“We are driven by a desire to better inform the way we approach ethnicity, race, culture and religion within our industry, striving for greater, authentic representation within our business, and importantly our output. We aim to inspire and support both our talent and our clients through open, honest discussion, project-led action, and building a hub to offer a greater spectrum of cultural insights,” commented Ed Bernadino, Talent Acquisition, Diversity and inclusion Partner at Billion Dollar Boy.

The three networks are:

BDB Equal Space – Gender Equality, Disability and Social Mobility

BDB Collective – BAME

BDB Proud –  LGBTQIA+

Ed also ensures a diverse set of internal voices are engaged in creating change and is increasing awareness and education by organising events, networks and organsing that we regularly invest in organisations built to aid underrepresented groups. 

Transgender learning session

As part of our Pride celebrations, we hosted a learning session and kicked off our partnership with the charity Mermaids.

Mermaids is a UK charity that was founded in 1995 and supports transgender, non-binary and gender diverse young people, their families and the professionals involved in their care. During this session they presented an overview of their work, look at the different concepts and terminology around gender identity, the challenges facing trans and non-binary young people, as well as ways organisations and individuals can step up to support.

The session was followed by a live Q&A, where we encouraged the team to ask questions in a safe environment.

We have changed our company logo and email footers for the month of June as a symbol of our support and solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. We also recognise that this symbol is part of a greater plan. 

What to read

  • The Color Purple by Alice Walker
  • Fun Home by Allison Bechdel
  • Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
  • Juliet Takes a Breath By Gabby Rivera
  • Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
  • Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
  • Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
  • Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown
  • On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
  • Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

What to watch

  • Priscilla Queen of the Desert
  • Kinky Boots
  • Portrait of a Lady on Fire
  • Saving Face
  • The Half of It
  • Paris is Burning
  • My Beautiful Laundrette
  • Love, Simon
  • The Birdcage
  • Pose
  • Queer Eye
  • The L Word
  • Rent

Free Pride events to attend

Sat 3rd July : ‘Grit with Grace’ (FREE) : Workshop : 1pm – 4pm (UKT) 
A self-empowerment workshop exploring Queer Resilience. 

Tues 13th July: ‘Queer Leadership 101’ (FREE) : Webinar : 4pm – 5pm (BST)
Part 3 of our series with myGwork : Authenticity and Self-Expression

Sat 31st July: ‘My, My Body & I’: (FREE) : Workshop : 3pm – 6pm (BST) 
A self-enquiry workshop exploring our relationship to the mind and body.

Sat 14th August: ‘Being of Influence’ (FREE) : Workshop : 3pm – 6pm (BST)
A workshop for those wanting to master the art of influence through story-telling.

We asked our team “What Pride Means to Me” and have shared the answers in a series of daily IG Stories in-keeping with the 11 colours of the Pride flag. View the Stories here.

LGBTQIA+ Creator Spotlight

Bretmanrock – Bretman (Da Baddest) Rock
Doing the least, but looking the most ✨🌈

mschakraverty – Michael Chakraverty
Baked on the telly for a bit • the better half of @menkindpodcast

Alitheacastillo – alithea castillo
🇵🇭 queer filipina immigrant | nyc

Veryharryhill – Harry Hill
💛 Vibe curator

What to listen to

Lastly, listen to our BDB Pride Playlist as created by the team to get you in the groove.

In 2021 and beyond, BDB will be investing heavily in more D&I initiatives and hosting educational and fun events to continue to learn and do better as we know we can always do more, as individuals and a company.

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