RS Group's commitment to allyship and LGBTQ+ Pride

RS Group Pride 2024

During June, many logos around the world change to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. For us, this is certainly not a box ticking exercise. Standing in solidarity is our 365 day a year commitment (366 days in a leap year!). So why did we change our logo? 🌈

Logos are a mark of distinction – they are also emblematic of an organisation's values and beliefs.

At RS, the Pride logo represents the changes we want to see as an employer, the changes we want to see in our industry and the changes we want to see around the world. We’re proud that many of our partners, customers and suppliers are changing their logos too. And backing it up with meaningful activity.

We changed our logo across our social channels based on the Pride flag devised by Morgan Carpenter, to ensure inclusivity is at the heart of the LGBTQIA+ movement. The design incorporates intersex people into the movement and was led by Valentino Vecchietti, who we were proud to welcome in to our London office last year to talk with colleagues.

It builds upon Quasar's Progress Pride Flag, which added stripes that emphasise groups within the LGBTQIA+ community that often experience further marginalisation.

We also celebrated some huge events across our business and markets in June, including our sponsorship of the myGwork - LGBTQ+ Business Community WorkPride Virtual Conference, Dallas Pride and Corby Pride.

As part of our commitment and allyship, providing a platform for our people to share their experiences and views all year round is really important. Take a look at our latest colleague celebration series!

"I never felt that I needed to hide or restrict awareness to my identity, the hurdle has been being a lone voice and not wanting to create a tokenism around me and my identity."

We caught up with LaRissa O'Neal, MAIO the co-chair of our Spectrum ERG to discuss being an LGBTQAI+ women at RS.

https://youtu.be/hp6WDn-ZELA?si=sXUNs2LJaGDr73tu

“I came out in 2019. I socially transitioned in 2020, just as the pandemic kicked off and came back to work my true self.”

We caught up with Emily Hamilton, a member of our Elevate ERG to discuss her journey.

https://youtu.be/LzkSycgaJsY?si=O9pvZKAHhTQZq317

“It was definitely empowering to me to because it gave me an opportunity to speak to who I was.”

We caught up with Bliss Anderson on what it was like to interview with Diva magazine.

https://youtu.be/TpojnySVJ-I?si=A0qRfEGzMaQ2dJXo