Corporate queer culture in India is a story of contrasts. While some organizations champion progressive policies like same-sex partner benefits, gender-neutral restrooms, and diversity training, many others remain bound by biases and systemic exclusion.
The push for inclusion is bolstered by global corporations leading by example, yet smaller or traditional firms often lag, leaving LGBTQIA+ employees to navigate microaggressions, lack of representation, and inadequate support systems.
The conversation around diversity and inclusion in workplaces has never been louder, but true progress demands more than surface-level gestures. As we step into 2025, companies must move beyond tokenism and adopt actionable strategies that genuinely support their LGBTQIA+ employees. This includes creating comprehensive policies, fostering safe work environments, and addressing unique needs, such as toilet sensitivities for third-gender employees. Simply hoisting a rainbow flag during Pride Month or adding a hashtag isn’t enough.
Enter Bill of Pride, a new initiative in India designed to hold corporations accountable for their Pride campaigns by pushing them to go beyond rainbow hashtags and pretty posts. The initiative operates through a unique model: a custom “bill” created for each corporate entity based on the reach, likes and engagement their Pride campaigns generated, calculated by AI and reviewed through community collaboration.
Unlike traditional bills, these are to be paid in kind, not cash, urging companies to implement concrete policies for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, from hiring practices to creating safe and equitable workspaces. To date, Bill of Pride has reached over 20 corporations, earning pledges of implementation and video acknowledgments from a select few trailblazers.
The official launch of Bill of Pride will be marked by a powerful roundtable discussion, Pride Beyond Tokenism, on 5th December 2024, from 3 pm to 5 pm at a patron workplace in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. Curated by Praful Baweja (an LGBTQIA+ community specialist from 6 Degrees), the panel will delve into actionable solutions for corporate inclusivity and celebrate those already paving the way.
The discussion will be moderated by the charismatic Navin Noronha, a podcaster, writer and comedian who brings both wit and wisdom to the table. The panel includes Qasim Latifi, DEI + People and Culture Lead at Alvarez and Marsal, Pratik Malviya from Vodafone Idea, and Nishta from KSF India, each bringing a wealth of experience in driving diversity, equity and inclusion at the workplace. Adding another layer to the conversation is the Humsafar Trust, a long-standing pioneer in LGBTQIA+ rights and health in India whose work continues to inspire organizations to adopt best practices.
While these efforts are laudable, they spotlight a larger truth: genuine inclusivity is not about special treatment but creating environments where queer employees feel valued, safe, and seen. It’s not just about making spaces more inclusive for queer individuals. It’s about redefining workplaces for everyone, where diversity isn’t a checkbox but the very fabric of how organizations operate.
