Honoring Diversity and Promoting Equality at Pride
Interviews
“Approach Pride with a respectful and inclusive attitude. This is a time to honor diversity, promote equality, and express support for the LGBTQ+ community.” Todd Parsons, Chief Product Officer at Criteo, spoke to myGwork about what Pride means to him, and the standards of inclusivity at Criteo. He also shared advice to people attending Pride for the first time and explored how LGBTQ+ support can be maintained all year round.
Image Credit: Canva
Please introduce yourself and tell us about yourself and career
I am Todd Parsons and I have the privilege to serve as Chief Product Officer at Criteo.
Throughout my career, I have been driven by a passion for creating products that improve people's lives. I wanted to solve their problems and inspire them. While I have had diverse experiences, advertising has been the common thread that has allowed me to make the greatest impact through the two companies I’ve founded: BuzzLogic & Aditive.
At Criteo, my focus is on enhancing the overall consumer experience on the open internet while providing greater opportunities for marketers and media owners.
I also act as the Executive Sponsor of the Pride Community at Criteo for which I am a spokesperson and ally. This role involves driving engagement, supporting the community's strategies, and aligning them with Criteo's business priorities.
Part of my sponsorship involves supporting an annual calendar of engagement events that foster a culture of inclusion and are open to everyone. These events are tied to global calendar events such as Pride Month, International Coming Out Day, International Transgender Day of Visibility, and Lesbian Visibility Day. By actively promoting and participating in these events, I aim to create an environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone feels respected and valued.
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride, in my opinion, is a time for celebration, self-acceptance, and support of LGBTQ+ visibility and rights. It's a time of year to celebrate being true to who you are, honor your sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, and connect with others who have had similar experiences.
Pride also entails raising awareness of the LGBTQ+ community, combating stigma and discrimination, promoting legal protections and equal rights, and fostering a more accepting and inclusive society for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Pride is a deeply personal and collective experience with different meanings for different people.
What advice would you give to someone attending Pride for the first time?
I could share the following tips:
- Spend some time learning about the history and significance of Pride.
- Treat everyone with respect, regardless of their gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Listen to the various perspectives and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and take something away from them.
- Be inclusive of everyone, even those who may identify differently from you.
- Support the LGBTQ+ community by acting as an ally.
- Connect with others, make new friends, and participate in the festivities because Pride is a community-building time. Keep in mind to celebrate diversity, love, and fun.
- Approach Pride with a respectful and inclusive attitude. This is a time to honor diversity, promote equality, and express support for the LGBTQ+ community.
How has your organization decided to mark Pride this year?
For Pride Month this year, Criteo has planned a range of events, such as:
- An awareness webinar to emphasize the value of celebrating Pride Month. This webinar will educate and raise awareness about the importance of Pride, the history of the LGBTQ+ community, and its current struggles and triumphs.
- A workshop on allyship: We'll hold a workshop on allyship to give staff members the information and resources they need to support the LGBTQ+ community effectively. This workshop will examine strategies for promoting the rights of and fostering inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ people.
- Participation in Pride Parades: To show our support for the LGBTQ+ community, our organization will march in Pride Parades in several cities, including Paris, Barcelona, and Tokyo. These parades offer a chance to spread awareness, increase visibility, and honor inclusion and diversity.
- Networking Pride Events: Throughout Pride Month, we will host networking events to give staff members the chance to interact, engage, and celebrate with LGBTQ+ coworkers and allies. These activities will strengthen our organization's sense of belonging, inclusion, and support.
- Through these initiatives, our organization hopes to encourage allyship, education, and celebration of LGBTQ+ people. However, for Criteo, Pride is a year-round commitment to engagement with and support for the LGBTQ+ community rather than just a celebration during Pride Month.
How can we keep the momentum for LGBTQ+ equality going all year long?
There are a number of ways for organizations to sustain the momentum for LGBTQ+ equality throughout the year:
First, ensure that your company has inclusive policies and procedures that protect LGBTQ+ employees from prejudice and advance equality in all workplace processes, including hiring, promotions, and benefits.
Continue to educate and train staff members about issues relating to the LGBTQ+ community, such as diversity, inclusion, and unconscious biases. Workshops, webinars, and other educational opportunities can be used for this.
Establish and support LGBTQ+ employee resource groups (ERGs) or affinity groups within your company. These organizations can give workers a secure setting where they can interact, exchange stories, and promote equality and the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
Furthermore, ensure LGBTQ+ people are represented in your organization's leadership roles and decision-making processes. This can promote LGBTQ+ voices at all levels and contribute to a more inclusive culture.
I would also recommend joining forces with and providing financial, volunteer, and other forms of support for regional LGBTQ+ community organizations. This demonstrates ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community outside of Pride Month.
Lastly, encourage and promote allyship within your organization, where all staff members actively support and advocate for LGBTQ+ coworkers, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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