Reflecting on Pride: More Than a Month of Celebration
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July 31, 2024
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Reflecting on Pride: More Than a Month of Celebration
Twilio’s vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is clear: To make Twilio more equitable and inclusive for all employees across the globe. In a time when many corporations are stating they no longer are investing in diversity and inclusion efforts, Twilio remains committed to supporting key DEI programs and initiatives, supporting Twilions of all backgrounds and identities, and fostering an environment where we can build great things together.
In June, we celebrated Pride Month as a global tribute to the LGBTQ+ community and a period of reflection on Twilio’s role in advancing LGBTQ+ equality, justice, and visibility.
Our employee resource groups (ERGs) are foundational to inclusivity, connection and community at Twilio. Spectrum, Twilio’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, fosters this community through career development workshops, mentorship programs, cultural celebrations and philanthropic endeavors all year long. While these efforts are important every month, PRIDE is the time where we really come together as a community to celebrate.
What does PRIDE mean to Spectrum leadership?
“Society often pressures us to feel like we need to meet certain expectations to be accepted. The month of June is the time when we turn up the volume of love to drown out the pressures of society. Pride is a time to embrace and explore how beautiful life can be when you love and accept yourself and others. LGBTQ+ has so many letters because this view is expansive. Pride is a time to proclaim loudly, 'You are beautiful and you are loved!'”
- Laura Decker (she/her)
“Pride is important to me because it serves as a constant reminder to resist and persist. It’s a time to honor the queer folks that came before us, and is a reminder to imagine and create a better world for the queer folks that will come after us. Most importantly, Pride is a celebration of who we are and the things, people, and places that made us who we are.”
- Char Gabriel Holt (she/her)
“I attended my first Pride parade when I was 20 years old, and I saw LGBTQ+ athletes, musicians, protestors, allies, and parents all coming together to celebrate. It was one of the first times that I saw the breadth of the LGBTQ+ community and felt that everything was going to be okay. Today, I’ve become a bit more critical, as is the fashion, but I still try to show up to Pride events each year to celebrate for those people lucky enough to be experiencing their first Pride and finding their place in the community for that first time.”
- Ricky Holtz (he/any)
“Pride is a celebration of the enduring existence and joyful spirit of LGBTQ+ people, honoring our history from Stonewall to today, and embracing a future filled with love and acceptance. It is a powerful reminder that our lives are defined by moments of joy and triumph, not just struggle and political discourse.”
- Nox Voortella (they/them)
Celebrating Pride in 2024
Twilions ran a Pride Giving Campaign that supports organizations that offer assistance to the LGBTQ+ community, fight for equal rights, and demand an end to hate crimes and violence. We raised money and donated to ilga world, Trans Lifeline, and the Trevor Project as part of this campaign.
Virtual Volunteer and Community Events
Lesbians Who Tech Virtual Summit
Twilio proudly sponsored the Lesbians Who Tech Pride Summit. Lesbians Who Tech & Allies is the largest LGBTQ+ professional community in the world — committed to visibility, intersectionality, and changing the face of technology and most importantly, the only organization that centers on LGBTQ+ Women, Women of color, and Non-binary leaders.
Catalyst Presents: Active Allyship: Strengthening LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Many members of the LGBTQ+ community report feeling vulnerable, underrepresented, and unable to bring their whole selves to the workplace. Those feelings make sense, especially as some countries withhold rights from or dismantle protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. At this virtual event, we explored how companies can move beyond inclusive-language practices and take more meaningful action to retain and attract LGBTQ+ employees.
Virtual Volunteering with Micro Rainbow and Benevity
Sebastian Rocca, the esteemed founder of Micro Rainbow, enlighted us about their impactful programs aiding queer refugees, while sharing inspiring success stories and ways for you to contribute through micro-volunteer actions. The event shared insights on how to effectively challenge common homophobic and transphobic attitudes and remarks.
Virtual Drag Bingo
From captivating performances to engaging virtual experiences, Twilio had talented Drag Queens who came to entertain, inspire, and uplift our team!
What to look forward to from Spectrum in the coming months
In the coming months, the Spectrum ERG will be creating more leadership and community-building opportunities for LGBTQ+ Twilions as well as internal education and enablement.
Stay tuned for more from Spectrum ERG!
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