Our people reflect on life at Diageo as we celebrate Pride

29 Jul 2022 Inclusion and diversity
Our people reflect on life at Diageo as we celebrate Pride

Across the globe, our people celebrated Pride, reflected on the LGBTQIA+ issues faced, and the progress still to be made.

Across the globe, our people celebrated Pride, reflected on the LGBTQIA+ issues faced, and the progress still to be made.

Our Inclusion and Diversity agenda underpins everything we do at Diageo and is vital to our purpose to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. Fostering an environment where all employees can bring their whole self to work is fundamental to this.

June marks Pride month and this year was the 50th anniversary of LGBTQIA+ Pride in the UK and the 53rd anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the pivotal point for the uprising of the LGBTQIA+ community against suppression of identity and rights. Across the globe, our people celebrated Pride, reflected on the LGBTQIA+ issues faced, and the progress still to be made.

For us, an important part of Pride is hearing from our employees about their experiences; recognising their personal journeys is what makes Diageo so rich in diversity of thought and helps us continue to grow.

 

 

Amy Vaughan, Government Compliance Analyst in North America, shares her Pride story

Spirit of Diageo

“When I interviewed at Diageo in fall of 2021, I wanted to be certain that my prospective team knew exactly who I was; what I knew and what I didn’t, what I was good at, and where I have challenges. I wanted them to know I sometimes go to my sister’s oncology appointments with her; that I, at the time, had a parent with Alzheimer’s; that I drink far too much espresso; and that my wife and I have a toddler. And, in my time with Diageo so far, I’ve been consistently impressed by the company’s willingness to foster authenticity by holding space for vulnerability. My team is the most supportive and collaborative group I’ve ever worked with, and that spirit of collaboration, which also depends on authenticity and vulnerability, flows throughout the organisation, in all the people I’ve met.

I’m proud to be a co-founder of an LGBTQIA+ non-profit that recognises Pride in my local community. This year I was incredibly proud that we partnered with Diageo’s Bulleit Bourbon for our 2022 Pride festival, and it was a major success. Through this opportunity, I had to face my fear of being super public with my life. Luckily, I get lessons daily in authenticity from my child, who is always unabashedly himself, and I knew I had to honour that in him, and for all of us. The support from everyone at Diageo has been incredible and overwhelming.

In the immortal words of TV host Mr. Rogers, “The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self.” We are better for celebrating ourselves and our colleagues in all the ways we are perfectly and imperfectly human. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and authentic – you’re amazing, just exactly the way you are!”

 

 

Giulia Bellino, Payroll and Reporting Specialist, tells us about celebrating Pride in Santa Vittoria, Italy

Giulia Bellino, Payroll and Reporting Specialist, tells us about celebrating Pride in Santa Vittoria, Italy

“As I’m part of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s important that I’m able to fully be myself at work without fear. Pride is important to celebrate our community, fight for our rights and show that we are all humans.

I was lucky to be able to organise Pride at Diageo Santa Vittoria with my colleagues in our Diversity and Inclusion group. We invited Arcigay, an Italian LGBTQIA+ organisation, to talk about what Pride means and why it’s still important. It was amazing to see how many people from Diageo joined the conversation, as in our country it can still be a taboo subject.

Personally, I’ve always been interested in different life stories, experiences and points of view so being able to be part of organising diversity and inclusion activities at Diageo, with amazing people, is really fulfilling.”

 

 

Bobbie Saxon, Executive Assistant, talks proudly about Diageo GB’s Queer Britain partnership and her role as an ally

Bobbie Saxon, Executive Assistant, talks proudly about Diageo GB’s Queer Britain partnership and her role as an ally

Recently we announced that Diageo GB had partnered with Queer Britain, the UK’s first LGBTQIA+ museum. This is part of our ongoing commitment to creating a fairer, more inclusive society. To celebrate the partnership, Executive Assistant, and ally, Bobbie Saxon, was part of the Rainbow Network team in London that organised a launch event at our Diageo headquarters in Soho, inviting LGBTQIA+ networks from other companies and charities.

Speaking on the event, Bobbie Saxon shared “as an Employee Resource Group we’re incredibly proud that we’ve pulled together this event to celebrate Diageo GB’s sponsorship of Queer Britain.  More than 160 people gathered to celebrate the new partnership, so it was a perfect opportunity to build new relationships in our business and geographic communities, and to continue on our path to ensure Diageo becomes an influential beacon in the environments where we operate. I’m really excited about the partnership, and the opportunity for us to ensure that Diageo is seen as a safe environment for our colleagues and the wider community.”

Bobbie calls on all allies to stand with our Rainbow Network colleagues to ensure progress towards equality continues, saying “there is real power in being an ally, but that gets lost if allyship becomes passive.  For some allies, it can feel like the issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community have gone away, on a personal level they have accepted the queer community and that’s the edge of their horizon, but in actual fact, hate crime against the queer and, especially, the trans communities is on the rise. Statistics show that nearly 60% of 18-24 year olds have disguised their sexuality at work[1] because they were afraid of discrimination, and 48% of the trans community have attempted suicide. The issues facing LGBTQIA+ people haven’t gone away. When allies hear or see inappropriate words or actions, the impact we can have when we call it out and educate really can have a positive effect. It’s absolutely the right thing to do to, every time. I’m proud to work for Diageo as we support the LGBTQIA+ community.”

 

 

Oscar Pachano, Head of Innovation CCA, tells us about Diageo’s move to become the first official funding partner to Fundación Iguales’ (Equals Foundation) SI ACEPTO Campaign

Oscar Pachano, Head of Innovation CCA, tells us about Diageo’s move to become the first official funding partner to Fundación Iguales’ (Equals Foundation) SI ACEPTO Campaign

“Pride is a moment of celebration and it’s also a moment to manifest, be active and support in any way possible, and to search for equality for the LGBTQIA+ community. That is why it’s so important. I like to take time to remember and honour those who fought for equality before me. This year I celebrated by attending Pride events in Panama City. I also had the honour of being invited to a business forum to share the importance of equal marriage, based on my own story.

This year Diageo has become the first official funding partner to Fundación Iguales’ Campaign SI ACEPTO (I ACCEPT) ahead of the launch of a nationwide campaign in Panama City. This incredibly important campaign aims to defend same sex couples right to marry in Panama.”
 

Final Thoughts

At Diageo we support the LGBTQIA+ communities year-round as we know that Pride is a movement, not a moment. We are committed to our employees and champion the work of our Rainbow Network, our resource group for LGBTQIA+ employees and allies. Our policies, such as supporting employees who are transitioning, and our partnerships with organisations such as Queer Britain, the UK’s first LGBTQIA+ History Museum, are key to our continual commitment to improving our employee experience and society as a whole. We’re proud of our progress but we are learning every day and we know there is more we can do.

[1] Outvertising 2020 Report