June marks the start of Pride Month, which not only marks a time of celebrating but also a call for more unity, visibility and equality for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Pride is a great opportunity to show your allyship and support for the LGBTQIA2S+ community, but it is important that these actions are done in such a way that there is long-lasting positive impact and that as a craft beer community we avoid notions that are performative or can cause harm.
The CCBA Inclusion & Anti-Discrimination Committee sat down with Ren Navarro from Beer.Diversity, an inclusivity expert and leader in the Canadian craft beer industry to provide guidance to breweries on how they can serve as allies and ensure their actions during Pride Month uplift the LGBTQIA2S+ community and creating long-lasting, positive impact.
Should I…
Rainbow wash my company logo
Q: Why am I doing this ?
If: Because I feel obligated otherwise people will be mad at me/ judge me/ call me out on social media
Then: don’t do it, this is performative
If: Because I genuinely believe in equity for everyone, and my company values are aligned with this
Then: Do it now and at least three more times throughout the year, particularly when there is something being discussed in the courts or publicly that affects the LGBTQIA2S+ community
If: Because I periodically do this throughout the year to raise awareness about issues related to LGBTQIA2S+ rights and I donate funds to organizations that I have researched and am aware of how they spend the funds and the kinds of impacts they have
Then: Please proceed, with the caution you have previously exhibited
Brew a beer and donate funds to an LGBTQIA2S+ org
Q: Do I know anything at all about the organization I am donating to?
If: no
Then: Brew the beer and research and reach out to the org while it ferments
If: yes, I have heard of them and read their website, they appear legitimate
Then: Brew the beer and research the org and reach out to them while it ferments
If: yes, I researched them and found that their vision and values are aligned with our companies AND
I reached out to them to enquire as to whether they also felt an alignment of vision and values AND
I asked them to come be a part of the brew day and was open and accommodating to their schedule and did not question their decision if they decided they did not want to come to the brew day.
Then: Please proceed with the caution you have previously exhibited
Highlight LGBTQIA2S+ members of staff on IG
Q: Why am I doing this?
If: I see others doing it for IWD and think it highlights their rights
Then: No, this is performative
If: It aligns with my company values however, I do not plan on policing the responses to my posts in the comments section and will like and /or allow comments that are harmful to the LGBTQIA2S+ community Then: don’t do anything until you have undergone some online harassment intervention training, you are aiding and abetting the marginalization of this group
If: I have a psychologically safe workspace that empowers people to turn down my requests when they feel uncomfortable with them
AND
I checked in with my LGBTQIA2S+ teammates and this is what they would like me to do Then: Please proceed with the caution you have previously exhibited
Q: What other opportunities for connection are there throughout the year?
- Reconnect with the organizations that you donated to – hire them to facilitate training from them
AND
ask them if they are interested in team training sessions about beer, tastings and the brewing process
- Expand your knowledge of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Hold an information session on Trans day of visibility, Aromantic awareness week, Zero discrimination day, Lesbian visibility week or any other day that highlights the lived experiences of anyone in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
- If you make this part of your company DNA it won’t come off as performative. Take the first step by creating your company values and defining the behaviours that personify them. Having trouble getting started? Call Ren, she’s here to help get you on your way.
Definitions:
LGBTQIA2S+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, plus the countless ways people choose to self -identify
Ally: Someone who, on a continual basis, stands up for, supports and encourages others.
Performative: Actions that are undertaken to increase a person or organizations social capital over a devotion to a cause.