Celebrating Pride Month at UPS and around the world

05-31-2022 3 MINS READ

How UPS shows up for the LGBTQ+ community

What’s the story: Pride Month is here – and there are plenty of ways to get involved to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community as a member or an ally.

Why it matters: “Pride Month serves as a meaningful time to recognize our LGBTQ+ UPSers around the world, who are an important part of our global network,” said Laura Lane, UPS Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Executive Sponsor of the Pride Alliance Business Resource Group.

“I’m proud to work for an organization that celebrates the contributions of all of our LGBTQ+ employees not just during June but all year long.  We’re working hard to ensure everyone has the freedom to bring their truest selves to work every day.”

How UPS is showing up: UPS is committed to advance equity for all.

• UPS is partnered with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) to provide direct financial support to 13 LGBTQ+-owned businesses in the U.S., U.K. and Germany.
• As part of our Proudly Unstoppable program, UPS spotlighted LGBTQ+-owned small businesses, helping support vibrant and diverse business communities across the U.S.  Several of the artists included in the Proudly Unstoppable campaign identify as LGBTQ+, including Sophia Yeshi, Fernando Togni and Mojo Wang.
• UPS was ranked by HRC as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality in 2021.
• UPS is committed to supporting employees who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies. The Pride Alliance Business Resource Group, chaired by Laura Lane, provides opportunities for employees to connect and collaborate as we work to promote inclusion within UPS.
• In 2021, The UPS Foundation gave $500,500 and 3,950 volunteer hours to support the LGBTQ+ community.

How you can celebrate Pride Month:

• Attend a Pride parade or event.
• Volunteer or donate to a local LGBTQ+ youth or community center.
• Support LGBTQ+ art and culture by visiting an LGBTQ art gallery or listening to music by an LGBTQ artist.
• Check out these recent stories on UPSers from the LGBTQ+ community, including former supplier diversity manager Latasha Griffin, UPS driver Jenny Rosado and marketing automation analyst Isa Saturno.
• Learn about UPS’s global commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Origins of Pride Month: The Stonewall Uprising is known to many as the starting point of the modern-day LGBTQ+ rights movement. In June 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn – a bar frequented by the LGBTQ+ community in New York City – and targeted its patrons. In response to the police actions, many patrons took to the streets to protest. The uprising continues to mark a turning point in LGBTQ+ rights and is the reason why Pride Month is celebrated in June.

A global celebration: The first Pride parade may have taken place in New York City, but since, Pride has gone global. Some of the largest pride celebrations take place in cities such as Paris, Berlin and Madrid.