How to increase allyship within the LGBTQIA+ community

Banner background: Painted by Sumo India employee, Nitya Bhatnagar

Every year in June, people across the world honor Pride Month, which commemorates and celebrates LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Ally, +) activism, culture and communities. Inspired by the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, Pride has become a time to drive awareness for the self-affirmation, dignity, equality and visibility of LGBTQIA+ people as a social group.

At Sumo Logic, representation matters, and we value everyone for their uniqueness and difference. We continually work towards building a sense of inclusion, belongingness and trust. We proudly support Pride and encourage our Sumo Logic colleagues worldwide to get involved in showing support for community members and allies.

Raising awareness around allyship with CERN physicist and activist Pauline Gagnon

As part of Sumo Logic’s Pride celebration, we invited CERN (Eurropean Council for Nuclear Research) physicist and lesbian activist Pauline Gagnon to speak to our employees about how conscious and unconscious biases present themselves in the workplace. The discussion centered around the importance of creating space for minority voices to be heard and celebrated in our communities and businesses. The presentation explored the power we have as allies to advocate for those who don't have the same privileges as others. Gagnon’s wisdom around the importance of open-mindedness, creativity and courage to explore the new is critically important in our current stressful times.

Increasing allyship

How can you increase your allyship and show support for LGBTQIA+? Check out this article and consider these ideas:

• Get educated - Learning the LGBTQ community's history, definitions of key terms, and current events will give you a baseline knowledge of what challenges are in the workplace. Check out this Pride Month Cheat Sheet or other resources such as GLAAD, Equality Federation, and the National LGBTQ Task Force.

• Uncover your own bias - Increasing awareness of your implicit biases can help you learn how to be a better LGBTQ ally. This article offers some tips for evaluating your bias.

• Contribute to creating a supportive workplace - Creating a more inclusive, supportive workplace for LGBTQIA+ colleagues is the responsibility of everyone. Be an active and vocal ally, conscious of the words you use because language matters.

• Take a stand for LGBTQ+ co-workers - Speak up when you hear derogatory remarks or language that could be offensive. Ask for clarification or let that person know that such remarks aren't acceptable.

If you can be one thing in life, “Be Kind” and LOVE whoever you want to LOVE because everyone should be proud of what makes them who they are.

Sumo Logic Pride gallery

Here’s how some Sumos—and little Sumos—are celebrating Pride Month through supportive heart gestures, artwork and video.

Sumo David Keller created this video and song production for Pride 2022, commemorating the history of Pride and its spirit of celebration.

Little Sumos, Michelle (9) and Jay Arkadi Pandey (7), sharing heart gesture made by hands

Little Sumo, Medhansh Sirohi (8), sharing heart gesture made by hands.

Little Sumo, Aadhya Rai (8), sharing Pride Artwork

Little Sumo, Medhansh Sirohi (8), sharing Pride Artwork

Want to join the celebration with us? If you are interested in joining the Sumo Logic team, we are hiring around the globe! Check out our current openings.