June marks a time when Pride is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is an opportunity to recognize the LGBTQIA+ community’s ongoing fight for their rights—and to reflect on all that has been achieved so far. This month is also an ideal time to reemphasize the need to continue advocating for those who are marginalized.
This month, the Proofpoint logo used across social media channels will again reflect the Pride flag. This is an important sign of solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. It also symbolizes the acceptance and commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility at Proofpoint. To see our campaign in action, be sure to check out our company’s pages on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Proofpoint recognizes and values our LGBTQIA+ employees and the diverse skills and unique perspectives that they bring to our organization. We support them in being their authentic selves at work. And we are proud that LGBTQIA+ individuals have joined Proofpoint with the knowledge that they are fully supported, safe and included within our community.
Over a year ago, we launched the Proofpoint Pride Employee Inclusion Group (EIG) along with eight other EIGs. These groups help us to further enhance the company culture and employee experience at Proofpoint. We formally recognize and integrate EIGs into the fabric of our company through actions and activities such as:
- Executive sponsorship
- Semiannual progress updates to executive staff
- Ongoing partnerships between EIG leaders
- Diversity, equity and inclusion programming
- These efforts help to ensure EIG initiatives are aligned with global, companywide goals at Proofpoint.
Here is an overview of just some of Proofpoint Pride EIG’s specific accomplishments to date.
Pride Month 2022
June 2022 was filled with Pride events and activities, including:
- Proofpoint Pride EIG Weekly external corporate blog series featuring an employee member or ally of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Guest speaker educating our employees on diversity, inclusion and culture
- Proofpoint logo takeover across social media
Proofpoint Pride Talks
In 2022, the Proofpoint Pride EIG introduced regular, virtual discussions that were hosted by internal and external moderators. The topics of discussion ranged from “How to Be a Better LGBTQIA+ Ally” to “What’s the Big Deal About Pronouns?”
Pride Unwind
Monthly discussions were held with community members and allies for support and networking.
Transgender Day of Visibility
In March 2023, Proofpoint Pride EIG’s executive sponsor, community member and lead shared with the Pride EIG community their experience of parenting a trans child.
Unfurling of the Flags
On May 17, 2023, Proofpoint employees gathered in fellowship across seven major corporate offices to celebrate the hanging of progressive Pride flags in honor of International Day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. The progressive flag celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community and calls for a more inclusive society.
As the chief people officer at Proofpoint, it is my top priority to foster a collaborative and engaging workplace where all employees can do their best work. We act as a team to solve our customers’ most challenging security issues—but that’s not possible unless all employees feel a sense of belonging.
I am proud to be an active ally partnering with the Proofpoint Pride EIG, executives and employees to help ensure inclusion remains strong throughout our global company.