Google Philippines to hold Pride Conversations online event on YouTube to honor the LGBTQ+ community

As part of the concluding celebration of Pride Month, Google will hold an online event called “Pride Conversations” to create a discussion and champion some of today’s inspiring members of the Filipino LGBTQ+ community. This will be streamed live on Google Philippines YouTube channel on June 30, 2020 at 5:00PM. 

The speakers of the event continue to bring pride to the LGBTQ+ community through their achievements in their respective fields. Taking part in the discussion are Antipolo City Barangay Councilor Kristine Ibardolaza; Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Fellow Dr. Berry Beriña; motorcycle enthusiast and vlogger Gaki Azurin, more popularly known as “GakiMoto”; comedian, host, and YouTube creator Mikey Bustos; and Google Philippines Program Manager Melai Lopez. 

“Google is committed to inclusion and this Pride month, we’re excited to share how we always support the LGBTQ+ community in a number of ways--from sustaining a diverse workplace culture, to providing grants, to hosting events around the world to continue the discussion on equality,” said Mervin Wenke, Communications and PR Head for Google Philippines. “We are glad to further show this commitment through our products like Google Maps which is helping enable a virtual Pride March initiative this year.” 

A home to LGBTQ+ employees

Google fosters a diverse and inclusive culture where LGBTQ+ employees are respected, celebrated, and empowered. The company ensures that they enjoy the same opportunity to shine, be heard, and succeed in the organization just as much as any other employee. Below are just some of the benefits for Google’s LGBTQ+ employees around the world including the Philippines:

○      Same-sex health benefits: Google is committed to and provide same-sex health coverage for Googlers and their partners.

○      Employee assistance program: Google offers free emotional wellbeing support, 24/7, 365 days for Googlers and their dependents, as well as access to free expert information on legal, financial, and other topics. These services are confidential. 

○      Parental leave: 

■      A non-birth parent has at least 12 weeks of paid parental leave to spend with a new child (any parent who has a child born or adopted). 

■      A ramp-back policy to help a non-birth parent transition back to work after a long leave is available. 

Googlers also have the freedom of establishing their preferred pronouns (he, she, xe, they) so colleagues will know how to best address a LGBTQ+ employee in the workplace to show inclusion and respect. 

“At Google, the use of preferred pronouns lives beyond work profiles and email signatures. Before a meeting begins, we may ask each other our preferred pronouns to address our colleagues accordingly and show respect. This demonstrates that LGBTQ+ employees are important and are always included in the discussion,” shares Melai Lopez, a trans woman and a Program Manager at Google Philippines.

Melai adds, “Google encourages us to form and participate in employee resource groups like Pride@Google. With this, I am able to use my voice to spark necessary conversations in the company and to contribute to the external LGBTQ+ community through high-impact programs and initiatives."

The “Pride Conversations” live event is part of Google’s initiatives for Pride Month, championing LGBTQ+ personalities whose stories serve as an inspiration for the community. Tune in on June 30, 2020 at 5:00 PM (Ph time) at Google Philippines YouTube channel.

Stay Loud and Proud from home with Globe & Pride@Tech

Even during the midst of a pandemic, LGBTQ+ Pride still finds a way to be boldly seen and heard.

As the much-anticipated Pride marches and events for the month of June have been cancelled, various LGBTQ+ communities and organizations in the country have turned to the online world to celebrate their colorful parades and protest for equal rights and greater gender visibility.

This 2020, Globe Telecom, along with other technology leaders, is partnering with Pride@Tech to #Recreate #Pride2020.  #Pride 2020 will bring the spirit of pride online, making the occasion even more accessible and safer for everyone to celebrate at home.

“Globe has always been a champion in supporting programs that promote inclusivity and equality in our society. This year, Globe is teaming up with Pride@Tech and we couldn’t be happier to lend our support again in amplifying the voices and concerns of the LGBTQ+ community not just in the streets, but this time in online spaces as well,” says Globe Vice President for Marketing Services Hub Jennifer Echevarria.

Through the online platform, “Pride March From Home: United for COVID Relief”, all LGBTQ+ members and allies are invited to join in on a virtual pride march for equality. The event is set to be officially launched on June 27 at 3 p.m for the benefit of LGBTQ+ communities who are badly affected by the pandemic.

Interested Pride-goers from all over the world can participate in the Pride event by registering at www.marchforpride.com, where they can create their own rainbow-colored virtual route. They can also share the call to #PrideMarchFromHome on social media.

The platform also houses a donation drive via iVolunteer, the Philippines’ first volunteer portal, where all proceeds will support LGBTQ+ communities. Here Globe subscribers can donate to iVolunteer through the Globe Rewards App or the GCash mobile wallet app.

“During such difficult times, Filipinos have proven that technology can be harnessed to do much social good,” says GCash CEO, Martha Sazon “With this year’s Pride march, we wanted to help in creating opportunities for people to band together in solidarity and extend the needed help from the safety of their homes through online apps.” 

Globe is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and is committed to support events and implement meaningful programs focused on 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For Globe, collaborating with LGBTQ+ organizations, further promotes SDG No 5 - gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within and outside of the workplace. In fact, recently in February, Globe has allowed its employees to declare their same-sex legal spouse as qualified dependents and beneficiaries for employee health and insurance benefits.

To know more about how to donate by earning and redeeming points, download the Globe Rewards App or visit https://www.globe.com.ph/help/rewards.html. To donate through GCash, download the app from the Apple Store or Play Store.