Working with Pride Network: A Journey Toward LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Workplaces

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When I joined the Helsinki Pride Community just two months ago, I did so because I wanted to contribute to meaningful change. What I’ve experienced in this short time has been inspiring. Through the Working with Pride Network, I’ve seen how workplaces across Finland are making strides toward greater inclusivity – creating environments where people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, feel increasingly safe, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Our Main partners and Working with Pride partners in the Working with Pride Network are at different stages of their journey. Some are beginning to address LGBTQIA+ inclusion, while others have engaged in this work for years. What unites them is a shared commitment to continuous improvement and the understanding that inclusion is never “finished”.

The Working with Pride Network functions almost as an extended LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) taskforce, uniting partner companies committed to learning, growing, and making meaningful progress toward inclusion.

Working with Pride Day 2024. Photo: Mike Champion

Working with Pride Days: Spaces for Learning and Growth

One of the most valuable aspects of the network is our twice-yearly Working with Pride Days. These events provide a space for companies to come together – not just to celebrate successes but to engage in candid discussions about challenges and areas for growth.

Each event begins with expert-led training on timely LGBTQIA+ topics, all presented through an intersectional lens. These sessions ensure that participants have tools to address not only issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity but also how those issues intersect with factors such as race, neurodiversity, disability, and socioeconomic status.

Through these training sessions, we encourage our partners to reflect and gain new insights on how their activity impacts people, not only within the workplace but also in a broader sense.

At a recent event, Saara Reiman, a renowned expert on autism and sensory sensitivities, delivered a compelling keynote on the intersection of neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ identities:

She highlighted how autistic individuals are disproportionately represented within LGBTQIA+ communities, with 41% identifying as part of a sexual or gender minority.
Reiman also explored how harmful myths – like infantilization and desexualization – have marginalized autistic LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Her talk reminded us of the importance of rejecting these misconceptions and embracing intersectionality to foster inclusive spaces.

The feedback we receive underscores the impact of these sessions:

I was delighted with the flow of the day – well-planned, fast-paced, and filled with rich content. The atmosphere was warm, as always.

Thank you for organizing these! I always leave with concrete tools that I can use.

Sharing the Struggles, Not Just the Successes

Real inclusion happens in the day-to-day work in how leaders hold themselves accountable, how resources are allocated, and how inclusive practices are embedded into systems and culture. As one partner shared:

Don’t wait for everyone to be on board. As a leader, you must take the first step – set the example and inspire others to join along the way.

One of the most refreshing aspects of the Working with Pride Network is the openness with which partners share their experiences. At every Working with Pride Day, companies candidly discuss their challenges:

How to engage reluctant employees?
How to address unconscious biases?
How can LGBTQIA+ inclusion be embedded into daily practices rather than treated as a one-time initiative?

Innovation strives when we can present our cases as work in progress. Perhaps most importantly, this network illuminates what it truly means to strive for better while extending compassion to ourselves and others. We need more of these spaces to change the status quo. Progress is never a straight line, and missteps are inevitable, especially when navigating uncharted territory. The key lies in acknowledging those mistakes, learning from them, and keeping moving forward. If it were easy, everyone would already be doing it.

Some of the members of the Working with Pride network 2024. Photo: Mike Champion

Beyond the Workplace: Advancing Broader Societal Change

The work we do through the Working with Pride Network extends beyond the workplace. It aligns with the Helsinki Pride Community’s broader mission to promote equity, inclusion, and well-being for LGBTQIA+ individuals throughout society. By embedding inclusive practices into workplaces, we help dismantle discriminatory structures and contribute to a more equitable Finland.

But this impact doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a long-term commitment to learning, reflection, and consistent action. Our vision is a society free from discrimination, where everyone feels safe, respected, and included. This is not a distant dream but a future we are collectively building, step by step.

Join Us in This Ongoing Journey

Inclusion is not a destination but a journey that requires humility, persistence, and courage. In my short time as Head of Partnerships, I’ve seen how powerful it is when companies come together to share their struggles and successes openly. I’ve also seen how much work remains to be done. And that’s okay – the power of the Working with Pride Network is that companies in different stages of their journeys can encourage and inspire their peers!

If your organization is ready to take meaningful steps toward fostering LGBTQIA+ inclusion, I invite you to join us. Not because it’s easy but because it’s necessary. Together, we can learn, grow, and create workplaces where everyone, at every level, can feel that they truly belong. Fill out the contact form, and we will get in touch with you soon to provide more information!