Taking an Active Role as an Ally in the Workplace

Tiziana Battiston, Samantha Warfield and Antoinette Hayford from Expedia Group discuss what it means to be an ally, why they chose to fight for LGBTQ+ equality, and how allies can help create an inclusive workspace.

Tiziana Battiston, Travel Agent Affiliate, Program Account Manager at Expedia Group

What does it mean for you to be an Ally?

An Ally wants to, and acts to, support the LGBTQIA+ Community in the fight for rights, safety and respect. Allies see the variations of human nature and welcome them. As an Ally I recognize and keep in mind my own privilege, and work for it to stop being such by demanding human rights to be for all. I believe it’s important to add our voice and exercise social pressure towards equality.

Being an Ally means for me not being silent in a time where violence and discrimination are the norm, it means for me to be active in a practical way: be it by improving my own understanding of the LGBTQIA+ world, be it by expanding awareness and knowledge around me, be it by questioning the status quo, be it by walking the Pride Parades together with the Community using my own privilege to ask for what’s long due.

“The rights of men must belong to all men, otherwise call them privileges” – the words of Emergency’s founder Dr. Gino Strada are my inspiration against LGBTQ+-phobia, and my hope for a better society.

Samantha Warfield, Senior Account Manager at Expedia Group

When and why did you choose to join the LGBTQ+ community in its fight for equality?

I joined the LGBTQ+ community as an active ally in 2018. It was then I was introduced to the Pride Chapter and Committee at Expedia Group. Becoming an active ally allowed me to learn, ask questions in a safe space, participate and plan philanthropic events, invite more allies to join, and take an active role in being a leader in the ally space at Expedia and personally.

Antoinette Hayford, Senior Specialist Employer Brand at Expedia Group

How can allies help create an inclusive workplace?

At Expedia Group, we aim to always include Consciously. This means bringing people in and seeking out diverse ideas and experiences to unlock better outcomes for our employees, travelers, and the company. I keep this value in mind when it comes to being an impactful ally to our LGBTQ+ community. To create and maintain a safe and inclusive workplace, it’s important to always actively listen and learn, amplify voices within the community, and speak up in moments of biased behavior.