As the month that marks the start of summer, June is the most wonderful time of year. The sun is shining, the flowers blooming and corporate logos emerge from their chrysalises reborn as beautiful, vibrant rainbows.
June is global Pride Month, and as a small business owner, it’s a great time to show your support of the LGBTQ+ community by giving back, celebrating equality and highlighting your business as a safe space for all.
Today, Pride celebrations attract millions of participants each year as LGBTQ+ communities and allies honour the queer identity. These celebrations are largely supported both commercially and socially, however, in some cases the only form this support ever takes is a rainbow icon on social media. So, how can you as a small business owner celebrate Pride without the risk of co-opting it?
🏳️🌈 Wear Your Pride
It is always great to utilise the LGBTQ+ Pride flag as a transparent way to showcase your support. Deck out social media content and either your brick-and-mortar storefront or site homepage with the Pride rainbow to distinctly champion the cause. However, it is important that this is not solely your ally-ship efforts. Ensure that these efforts are authentic, and that you are focusing on the rainbow, not the pot of gold at the end of it.
🏳️🌈 Add Gender Pronouns to your Page
To demonstrate your values, add gender pronouns to your social media, email signatures, name tags and website. This illustrates your ally-ship and presents your business as an inclusive and safe space.
🏳️🌈 Create a limited-edition product that does good
Where it’s great to showcase the pride rainbow, it’s important that you also demonstrate your ally-ship in action to avoid rainbow washing. Design a new product and donate a portion of the proceeds to a non-profit organisation that supports and champions the LGBTQ+ community. Alternatively, you can apply donations to current products, with a portion of proceeds going towards LGBTQ+ causes.
🏳️🌈 Host Inclusive Community Events in your Space
Whether you have a brick-and-mortar or online space, offer to host inclusive community events to showcase that your business is inclusive on a deeper level. Similarly, a portion of these proceeds can go towards LGBTQ+ communities and charities.
🏳️🌈 Communicate your Pride to Your Customers
If you’re a small business owner who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, invite your customers to join you in celebrating. Create social or email content that details your personal connection to the movement, so that your audience have a better understanding of who you are.
If you are not part of the LGBTQ+ community, but identify as an ally, this is your chance to speak up. and communicate with your customers where you stand. Aside from online rainbow banners and graphics, you can also package orders with ‘proud ally’ or ‘love wins’ stickers.
How are you supporting Pride this June? Let us know in the comments below!