The Corporatisation of PRIDE

DiverCity Podcast: Talking Diversity and Inclusion in the Financial Services Industry

In this extended episode in celebration of LGBT History Month, host Julia Streets is joined by Dr Daniel Conway, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Westminster, and Jack Guest, Diversity & Inclusion Lead, Global Wealth & Personal Banking at HSBC. They start the discussion by charting the social and political history of PRIDE, then discuss the varied perspectives on the "corporatisation" of PRIDE. A complex topic, together they consider the realities, opportunities and challenges of promoting LGBTQ+ rights around the world. They discuss the varying degrees of acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ employees, how organisations can play a role in delivering international best practice, building and supporting communities, engaging with policy change and challenging homophobia. The discussion extends yet further to explore the importance of the intersectionality of PRIDE, comparing and evaluating the difference between sponsorship and advocacy, and why businesses must live up to the values they are claiming.