Cork Pride are launching a fantastic new initiative, the ‘Work With Pride Professional Business Network’, aimed at supporting inclusive work environments and building sustainable relationships across the professional LGBTQ+ community.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Damien O’Halloran, chairperson of the network explained: “When you ask questions about how to make workplaces better, you have to remember that there are so many different types of workplace.

“Bigger corporations will generally have policies around equality, equity, diversity and inclusion. They may have a policy on dignity in the workplace, with perhaps someone in HR dedicated to overseeing the practical delivery of these policies.”

He went on to explain that the network would be comprised of businesses across all sectors including SMEs, sole traders and smaller enterprises, noting that often “these supports may not be readily available” in smaller companies.

The network was developed based on feedback and experiences that Cork Pride had through delivering bespoke onsite diversity and inclusion training for their corporate partners, especially during the pandemic. 

As Damien explained, “People are working in very different ways now, and many don’t have the same access to colleagues to discuss the hot topics on a given day.

“During Covid, a lot of discussion grew around what makes your business an employer of choice. To be a truly inclusive employer, you must be able to show that your policies are being delivered in practical ways.”

It’s official! Ireland’s first ever LGBT+ Professional Business Network, Work With Pride, has arrived, and will officially launch on May 12th – this represents a historic milestone for the Irish LGBT+ business community.

Members will have the opportunity to build professional pic.twitter.com/hw54zqXIiq

— Cork LGBT+ Pride (@corkpride) April 28, 2022

Throughout the year, the ‘Work With Pride Professional Business Network’ will host a series of formal and informal events including the annual ‘Work with Pride Diversity and Inclusion Conference’. 

These events will form both educational and social supports, allowing businesses to share their practices and experiences in order to develop more inclusive strategies. 

The initiative, which is a first of its kind in Ireland, will officially launch at an event hosted by Cork Pride at 6.30pm on Thursday, May 12, at the River Lee Hotel in Cork.

To register your interest in becoming a member and to find out more click here.