The month of June is LGBT Pride Month, and the purpose is to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride.
Despite the negative financial impact Bud Light and Target have experienced supporting the transgender community, some Alabama businesses are continuing to celebrate Pride Month publicly. Government entities, such as the City of Montgomery, and large corporations are also showing support for pride events and similar diversity, equity and inclusion ideologies.
Alabama Power has historically celebrated Pride Month and has been “committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The company has featured gay employees with articles on a website that appears to be a news website called “Alabama News Center.” That website is owned by Southern Company and provides positive stories about Alabama Power. In a 2021 story about Krista Presnall, who works at Alabama Power, the article described her as “the quintessential all-American girl” and told her story.
This year, Alabama Power did not immediately start a Pride campaign on social media or online.
Airbus has been manufacturing aircraft in the United States since it opened its first facility in Mobile in 2015. The company proudly celebrates its LGBTQ workforce with rainbow flags and Facebook posts. The company continued that mission this year on social media and its website.
"Respecting human rights is a priority at Airbus, and we believe every person is entitled to live freely and without discrimination," said Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Site GM Daryl Taylor. "Building an inclusive and diverse workforce drives innovation, makes us stronger as a team and creates a more equitable society for all."
On the first day of Pride Month, Airbus posted, “It's #PrideMonth! What does this have to do with #aviation & #aerospace? Kind of everything! We want the very best #TeamAirbus members - and that means we welcome EVERYONE and make sure they feel safe and valued at work. Without #Diversity and #Acceptance there is no #Success.”
Books-a-Million was founded in Florence, Alabama, in 1917. The chain operates over 250 bookstores nationwide, and some of them have chosen to celebrate Pride by creating sections of books that celebrate and educate on LGTQ lifestyles.
Some of those book titles are "They Both Die at the End," "Red, White and Royal Blue," "Perfectly Queer," "Real Queer America," and "This Book is Gay."
Books-a-Million also offers pride merchandise such as totes, coffee mugs and socks. This year, associates were offered pride lanyards and T-shirts.
Hibbett Sports is headquartered in Birmingham. The sporting goods store has a whole section of pride gear on its website.
“It's not tied to time,” an ad for a Pride T-shirt states. “It's not about a place. And though, yes, sometimes it's tied to a fantastic party, Pride is about who you are, always. It's also about community, and this Adidas Unisex Pride T-Shirt - Black celebrates it all. Because we exist on a full spectrum of size, shape and gender, we made the tee using UNITEFIT, which is an all-gender fit system used to represent everyone across the board.”
Regions Bank, headquartered in Birmingham, has been named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality for several years and has received Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards.
“It takes looking back to fully appreciate how far you’ve come,” the company states on its website. “LGBTQ+ History Month is the perfect time for reflection on strides made. From personal victories to community gains, these achievements generate pride today and determination for tomorrow. Regions has a history of supporting LGBTQ+ people in our communities and workplaces. We honor the chapters written and celebrate the ones still left to write.”
This year, Regions was celebrated for being a Ruby Sponsor for the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce's Pride in Business campaign.
Shipt delivery service was proud in 2022 with a blog titled, “Pride Month: Our favorite entertainment.” The company highlighted some of its employees’ favorite LGBTQ books, TV shows, podcasts and movies.
In previous years, the company has adorned its Facebook page with a pride rainbow behind the logo, but in 2023, the logo was not changed from the original navy background, and no new blog entry was made.
UAB, the state’s largest public employer, offers programs and initiatives committed to strengthening LGBTQ+ inclusivity at the School of Medicine and UAB at large.
Physicians at UAB also work with Children’s of Alabama on gender-affirming treatment for children.
This year, UAB Arts in Medicine posted on Facebook encouraging others to spread love.
The Human Rights Campaign has given UAB Medicine top marks since 2016.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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