Pride Month has been a whirlwind of exciting opportunities to learn and fun-filled events. From film viewings and lunch and learns to bootcamp and CrossFit workouts to drag bingo, OPEN (Our Pride Employee Network)—our LGBTQ+ employee resource group—kept the pride rolling all month long.
Check out a few of the month’s highlights:
Each year, we officially mark the start of Pride Month with a Pride flag raising ceremony at our headquarters in Camden, New Jersey. We proudly fly the Pride flag throughout the month of June.
While last year’s flag raising was limited to two people due to the pandemic, we were excited that this year numerous members of OPEN, and OPEN’s Executive Sponsor, Adam Ciongoli, EVP, General Counsel and Chief Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility and Governance Officer, were able to celebrate the start of the month together.
We lunched and we learned at a series of events that generated discussion on LGBTQ+ terminology, identities, and gender-neutral language and pronouns. Employees talked about inclusivity in the workplace and how these sessions can help improve hiring practices and create a more inclusive workplace.
“Using the proper terminology and language in the LGBTQ+ community is a new and evolving conversation, even among those who consider themselves members of this community. Twenty years ago, this conversation was very different. We really are continuing to learn.” – Paul Canaday-Elliott, Communications Manager, Pacific Foods
“Using the proper terminology and language in the LGBTQ+ community is a new and evolving conversation, even among those who consider themselves members of this community. Twenty years ago, this conversation was very different. We really are continuing to learn.”
We worked out our minds and bodies by teaming up with Barry’s Bootcamp in Philadelphia and Bellum Strength and GCity CrossFit in Gloucester City, New Jersey for virtual workouts. OPEN Steering Committee members Damon Williams and Kylee Hirst partnered with the local studios to bring engaging workouts for employees to try together.
Nearly a dozen OPEN members ran in the Virtual Philadelphia Pride 5K Fun Run, which benefits The William Way LGBTQ+ Community Center.
Back by popular demand, each week we hosted viewings of short films that featured iconic favorites in the LGBTQ+ community like Bubble and The One You Never Forget.
“This was our second Pride Month where we had to host events virtually, so watching these short films from home together has been such a fun way to explore LGBTQ+ culture and connect with other employees across the company.” – Kurt Yasenchak, Corporate Regulatory Scientist, and OPEN Lead
“This was our second Pride Month where we had to host events virtually, so watching these short films from home together has been such a fun way to explore LGBTQ+ culture and connect with other employees across the company.”
What Pride Month would be complete without a few laughs? Drag bingo, featuring Philadelphia drag legend Aunt Mary Pat, was an hour of fun and friendly competition.
This year was the second year our Pride celebrations happened virtually, but we sure didn’t let that stop the conversation—or the fun! Led by our OPEN employee resource group, our Pride Month events and celebrations help us create a more inclusive workplace and build a winning team and culture.
Inclusion & Diversity
Supporting our hometowns this Pride Month
Recognizing and celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
