Beam Benefits Celebrates Pride Month 2023

Beam Benefits is committed to creating an environment that is welcoming for people of all backgrounds and believes a diverse and inclusive setting is key to building a strong culture and successful company. In order to foster a diverse and equitable workplace, Beam’s DE&I Board seeks to promote awareness and integration of diversity, equity and inclusion within our culture in order to best serve employees, clients and our community. As an example, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) offer a variety of programming throughout the year...

Known as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month , June is a great time to celebrate love, happiness, and equality while highlighting conversations around LGBTQ+ rights, human rights, equality, and what it means to be an ally. Throughout the month, the Beam team had the chance to learn and celebrate through events both online and in-person.

To kick things off, hundreds of Beamers started their week with the personal insights of two individuals as they reflected on pivotal years that shaped their identity. While everyone’s story is uniquely personal, the contrast in cultural acceptance between Gen X (‘65-’80) and Millennials (‘81-’96. ) was quite evident throughout this conversation. Marginalized groups still fight for equality today, but the marked progress between two generations separated by twenty years is certainly notable!

As a remote-first company, Beamers are spread across the country, but many gathered in Columbus, Ohio (Beam’s home base) to participate in the Stonewall Columbus Pride Parade and March during the weekend of June 17. This team took to the streets to represent Beam and certainly made the company proud! Shoutout to all of the Beamers who walked in the parade, prepared the float, and helped manage Beam’s presence at the festival. There are many moving parts to the local celebration and this crew pulled off every detail without a hitch!

Once back in the office and riding the high of such an exciting parade weekend, Beamers gathered for another online presentation and had the chance to learn about remarkable historical figures who were both technology leaders and members of the LGBTQ+ community. This educational and inspiring session highlighted the contributions made by these pioneers in various technological and STEAM advancements.

Pride hasn’t always been filled with rainbow flags and parades, and there is a deep history of hurt and discrimination that many carry everyday. We encourage all to be mindful of the LGBTQ+ community’s experiences and recognize both the progress that we have made over many decades, but that there is still work to do in the fight to eliminate discrimination and seek equity for all.

Special thanks to Beam’s DEI Board, Pride Committee, Volunteers, and those who shared their personal stories with us throughout the month.