We strive to build more inclusive and diverse teams at Dassault Systèmes, and we place diversity and inclusion at the heart of our culture. We enjoy learning about and celebrating each other’s interests, achievements and cultures, and Pride Month 2023 provided an opportunity to do just that.
While we have some global programs, such as our rainbow lanyard initiative that is active on a number of our campuses, many of our offices put their own spin on Pride.
Read on to discover how our employees around the world supported and celebrated the LGBTQIA+ rights movement during June.
Trivia, treats and art shows
Our North American offices mixed learning and fun with a trivia game about people, events and the history of the LGBTQIA+ community. Employees could participate either in person or virtually; some offices even held in-person events where groups dialed in to participate together. Employees at our Waltham, Massachusetts headquarters enjoyed food from an LGBTQIA+-owned business while exploring a Pride Art Gallery.
“The gallery exhibit was a huge success! We received so many positive comments and feedback. We had an impressive variety of artwork on display including drawings, crafts, photography, digital paintings, pride pinwheels and LGBTQIA+ factoids. I know that participating in the art gallery took a lot of time and work, and I want to thank those who helped to make this happen. Your contributions made the exhibit a truly special one,” said Frank Blais, SIMULIA Senior FP&A Analyst.
Pride, parties and pastries
Our Hammersmith, UK office marked Pride Month with a rainbow lanyard campaign, a quiz, yummy treats, guest speakers and more – including creating a human rainbow with everyone dressing in rainbow colors!
The Coventry UK team enjoyed a decadent Pride brunch, with rainbow fruits for health, and rainbow cakes for fun! And the Den Bosch office in the Netherlands celebrated this day together with several enthusiastic bakers squaring off in a Bake a Cake competition.
MEDIDATA gives back
Our MEDIDATA team celebrated under the theme of Education, Outreach and Fun. To kick off the celebrations, they hosted an event on June 15 where employees stuffed backpacks with healthcare supplies in support of the Ali Forney Center, the largest community center helping LGBTQIA+ homeless youth in the United States. In addition to the backpacks, a $2500 donation was made to the center.
Other Pride-themed lunches, happy hours and guest speaker events were also hosted throughout June in various MEDIDATA offices.
Be an Ally
In Australia, our teams supported Pride Month 2023 under the theme of “Be Brave, Be Strong, Be You.” They offer a Gender Ally program where an employee commits to advocate for, support and encourage the people around them on issues relating to gender diversity. Allys are able to demonstrate visually their support by wearing a rainbow or a purple lanyard.
Beyond June
Pride Month remains important in the calendar but the respect of LGBTQIA+ rights is also an area of focus all year long.
While celebrations and parties are fun, they also create an opportunity to educate and raise awareness on the challenges the LGBTQIA+ face. This is in alignment with our diversity commitments.
There are other events during the year, that mark our commitments in favor of equal rights such as in recognition of October’s National Coming Out Day. We also have online communities where people share information and ideas to make the topic more visible. Pride is Protest, it has to be, even today, but there is no rule that says you cannot have a party while you protest — what better way to bring people together!
Maryann is a Senior Communications Manager on the Dassault Systèmes corporate communications team. She’s been with the company for over 16 years, in roles ranging from marketing communications,internal communications, creative and branding, blogging to marketing programs manager.