ARE you a British business keen to let LGBT+ customers and staff know that they’re special for one month only? Here are the best ways to be an ally:
Beginner: Rainbow Union Jack on the packet
Being British always comes first, but follow that with a symbol of your deep commitment to the queer community by getting your in-house graphic designer, Josh who knows a bit of Photoshop, to rainbow it. Then put it on your product, website, or just the canteen window.
Beginner: Post on your social media
Get Josh to do another rainbow Photoshop job for the socials, and make sure the lazy bugger doesn’t use last year’s NHS one. Then share pictures, videos and quotes from important activists, like the hosts of Queer Eye and Santana Lopez from Glee.
Medium: Give LGBT+ customers a discount
LGBT+ oppression deserves more than lip service. If someone comes in and looks gay, or sounds it on the phone, give them a five per cent discount on purchases of £35 or more. It strengthens your bonds with the gay, lesbian, bi and trans community, who’ll return to your restaurant, off-license or commercial lumberyard.
Medium: Give all gay employees an afternoon off
Is Pride on a Wednesday afternoon? Do you need to shop for it? You don’t know, you’re straight, but give the gays four hours paid regardless. The leave is only available to employees who can prove they are gay. Cases thought to be fraudulent will be referred to HR.
Advanced: Liquidate the business and become an LGBT+ campaign HQ
You’re an activist now, not a capitalist. Organise boycotts, throw milkshakes, swarm Twitter. Finally live your brand values and you’ve proved you’re not just cynically exploiting a subset of consumers. Truly it was Thomas Hancock Thomsen & Partners Chartered Accountants who threw the first brick at Stonewall.
