June is Pride month and each year, millions of people across the globe come together for Pride, a chance to recognise and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and their contributions to society, while continuing to acknowledge and raise awareness of the challenges they face.
The month’s historical significance stems from the pro-LGBTQ+ uprisings that took place in the wake of a police raid, on 28 June 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. As a moment in history, the Stonewall uprisings have been marked as a turning point in the wider movement for LGBTQ+ rights.
Today, 56 years later, the struggle for equal rights across the globe continues, with many people in the LGBTQ+ community continuing to live their lives with stigma and discrimination, often feeling unsafe because of who they are and who they choose to love.
In many countries across the world, discriminatory laws criminalise private, consensual same-sex relationships, exposing millions to the risk of arrest, prosecution and imprisonment. In at least five countries, these laws can lead to the death penalty.
At Anglo American, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves, reach their full potential, and feel valued and respected for who they are. A key aspect to achieving this is removing barriers, both physical and psychological, so that people feel safe and that they truly belong where they work.
Pride month is an important date in the Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) calendar and a great opportunity for all of us to stand with our LGBTQ+ colleagues while we mark this significant event for the community.
