INDITEX Germany becomes the official PATRON of WELCOMING OUT and sets an example for diversity, openness and acceptance with the internal event “PRIDE DAY” under the motto “YOUR PRIDE IS OURS”.
INDITEX (which owns the brands Zara, Zara Home, Massimo Dutti, Bershka and Pull&Bear) announces that the company is now an official PATRON of WELCOMING OUT. As part of this commitment, INDITEX hosted “PRIDE DAY” on June 28, 2023 to celebrate LGBTIQ+ and show its solidarity with the queer community.
Around 50 colleagues from all brands across the country came together in Hamburg to make openness, diversity and acceptance in the company more visible to all employees who are part of the LGBTIQ+ community and to create a safe space for honest communication. During the event, three employees gave intimate insights into their personal stories, processes of self-discovery and coming-out experiences. They spoke about individual challenges and how they deal with homophobic interactions both inside and outside of their workplace.
Pavlo Stroblja, Founder and CEO of Queermentor and a top LinkedIn voice, delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of mentoring programs and supportive networks for the LGBTIQ+ community.
Markus Hoppe, founder and CEO of WELCOMING OUT, also attended the event to explain the importance of this initiative and the participating companies as patrons.
WELCOMING OUT is a project funded by the city of Hamburg, which is already supported by several well-known companies. The aim of the initiative is to promote the acceptance of queer people through a simple symbol. The logo of WELCOMING OUT, two people hugging, symbolizes openness towards the LGBTIQ+ community in a simple and clear way and signals: “With me you can be yourself.” In order to spread the message of the initiative, INDITEX distributed stickers and pins nationwide the logo of the initiative to its employees. With this campaign, the company wants to set an example for diversity and integration among colleagues, customers and applicants. INDITEX pursues a zero-tolerance policy against any form of discrimination and wants to create a supportive working environment in which everyone can be self-determined and proud.