Proud to Be: TextNow Staff Talk Pride Month

I'm not entirely sure how this happened, but It’s June 2021 already. And June means one thing! Pride month! A time to celebrate the progress made in the LGBTQ+ community, while also spreading awareness about the many social inequalities that this diverse community still faces around the world.

On June 28th, 1969, the Manhattan Stonewall riots provided the catalyst for the gay liberation movement, and the foundation of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Since Stonewall Pride has grown from a day to commemorate the riot, to a day for gay rights marches, to eventually encompass the entire month of June - a month jam packed with LGBTQ+ Pride parades, celebrations, and general awesomeness.

As we kick-off Pride Month here at TextNow,  we understand that the fight for equality is far from over. In the US and around the globe nearly half of LGBTQ+ employees are still in the closet and remain worried to share their true selves at work.

Here at TextNow, employee resource groups help celebrate our differences and promote our culture of acceptance.

We believe that communication belongs to everyone and that our differences make us better. 12% of our employees have identified as LGBTQIA2S+ . Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common at TextNow, and it's one we celebrate diversity every day.

We asked our employees what Pride Month means to them, see some of the replies below. We will be hosting events for our team members throughout the month + releasing additional blog posts.