Our partnership will see us extend support for Pride events across the UK. It's part of our commitment to celebrate and champion the diversity of our colleagues, customer, members and suppliers across local communities.
We support LGBTQ+ communities up and down the country, all year-round through our Local Community Fund. When Co-op members buy select Co-op own-label products and services, 2p in every pound spent goes to supporting causes in their local community, with LGBTQ+ causes receiving support from members.
Crawley LGBT, which raises awareness of the local LGBTQ+ community and provides research and support is just one of many community groups across the UK receiving support from Co-op members.
Claudia Carvell, Inclusion Manager at Co-op and Chair of Co-op’s LGBTQ+ colleague network, Respect, said: “LGBTQ+ Pride festivals are a much-needed celebration of LGBTQ+ life and an important reminder of what still needs to be done to achieve equity for all LGBTQ+ people in communities throughout the UK. Support for these events is central to our vision of co-operating for a fairer world where all people are valued equally. Due to the pandemic, festivals were disrupted and cancelled last year and lots of charities suffered so we’re thrilled that in 2021 Pride is back and we’re preparing to join the party across the nation by working with Gaydio on this partnership.”
As well as celebrating Prides across the UK, Gaydio will be the place “where Pride Lives” by celebrating the Rainbow road to Tokyo, talking to LGBTQ+ athletes taking part in the Olympics, and “Fighting with Pride”, an audio series taking a look back on the ban of being out in the military.
Ian Wallace, Director of Gaydio, said: “Some prides might not be going ahead, but Gaydio will be giving you a taste of those that are this summer. We are delighted to be working with the Co-op who have been actively supporting Prides across the UK for a number of years now. We will be physically at Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham Pride with street teams and broadcasting live from these cities. We can’t wait!”
The partnership forms part of a broader commitment to equality and diversity at Co-op, not only within local communities but also via Respect; Co-op’s award winning, inclusive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) network.
Earlier this year, Co-op re-launched their colleague LGBTQ+ magazine Respect to our more than 50,000 colleagues, featuring interviews with singer-songwriter Heather Small from M People, Gabriel Clark from Hollyoaks and Jo Whitfield (CEO of Co-op Food)
You can learn more about Co-op's plans around inclusion, equality and diversity at this year's virtual Co-op Trade Briefing on 21-22 September. You can get hold of your ticket here.