Certinia4Pride: Celebrating Love, Diversity, and Progress

Throughout June, Certinia was elated to celebrate another Pride Month — the global acknowledgment of the positive impact of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals worldwide.

Pride Month began with the June 1969 Stonewall Riots, a protest against violence, harassment, and discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community. Today, we celebrate how far we have come in the march towards equal rights and recognize the progress still needed.

Led by our Pride Employee Resource Group, Certinia4Pride, Pride Month has been an incredible celebration and affirmation that all are welcome here. One of our core values, championing each other, is deeply embedded in our daily experiences and was especially evident to Certinians around the world this month. 

Here are a few highlights of how we celebrated Pride!

• Members of Certinia4Pride shared their stories and were featured in a series of interviews published on LinkedIn. Our CEO DJ Paoni shared his perspectives on the importance of diversity and inclusion in a remarkable interview I encourage you to watch!
• Certinia4Pride held its inaugural meeting, where we reviewed previous learning events, upcoming volunteer opportunities, discussed the history of the Pride movement, and charted a strategic course for our future Pride initiatives.
• The LinkedIn Learning Course Club participated in several courses together, followed by an insightful discussion on how to best support LGBTQIA+ employees and strengthen our inclusive culture.
• Our Desk Decorating Contest provided a creative and meaningful way for everyone to express their support for Pride, highlighting how diverse, inclusive, and fun our community truly is!

While the official Pride Month in June has wrapped up, we are continually striving to build a world where all are welcome. There is still so much to do. 

Here are a few ways you can stay involved and be a strong ally of the Pride community:

• Celebrate: For example, Austin (one of Certinia’s largest office hubs) formally celebrates Pride in August and throws an amazing Pride Parade! Details can be found at Austin Pride 2024.
• Volunteer: Many food pantries, organizations supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, clothing donation drives, and more rely on volunteer support. Every bit helps, no matter how much time you can spare! One I recommend is OutYouth, which serves Central Texas LGBTQIA+ youth with resources ranging from food insecurity to sanctuary and empowerment.
• Be an Ally: Listen to and amplify LGBTQIA+ voices. Educate yourself on the issues. Stand up against discrimination. Share supportive messages. Advocate for inclusive policies in your community.

On behalf of Certinia4Pride, THANK YOU to everyone who joined us in celebrating Pride Month! Your support and participation make Certinia such a vibrant and inclusive place to work. Now let’s carry this spirit of pride and unity forward, championing equality and acceptance all year round!