US' Walmart establishes LGBTQ+ Officer Caucus during Pride month

“The members of the LGBTQ+ Officer Caucus share a deep passion for supporting our LGBTQ+ associates and have chosen to lead within our organisation, so others can be comfortable and confident doing the same. After all, as we look at communities we identify with, not all of them offer visible identification unless we make the choice to be seen,” Donna Morris, chief people officer at Walmart, said in a post on the website.

Walmart’s support of LGBTQ+ associates is also reflected in some of its recent programmes and initiatives focused on Well-Being, Inclusion and Giving.

Under Well-Being, Walmart partnered with Included Health last year to provide health services for LGBTQ+ associates. Included Health’s concierge team is available to those enrolled in most Walmart medical plans and specialises in connecting members with quality care, plus offering support on a range of topics, including coming out at work.

Under Inclusion, Walmart encourages associates to bring their authentic selves to work every day, which often begins with something as basic as a name. A person’s name is the greatest connection to their own individuality and should be recognised consistently across all parts of the company. The company is continuing to update its systems and processes to enable preferred name usage. Additionally, associates can now self-identify their sexual orientation, gender identity and pronouns should they choose to do so.

As for Giving, building on a long-time relationship with PFLAG, the Walmart Foundation provided a $500,000 grant to support the organisation in expanding PFLAG Connects, its programme that provides virtual meeting spaces that connect LGBTQ+ people and their families and allies. The grant is helping strengthen PFLAG Connects: Communities, an expansion of the PFLAG Connects programme, which provides safe, moderated, virtual spaces for AAPI, Black and Latino families. Founded in 1973, PFLAG is the first and largest organisation dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.

Additionally, Walmart awarded a grant to the Ad Council to support its ‘Love Has No Labels’ campaign, which strives to promote diversity, equity and inclusion of all people across race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age and disability. This grant helps provide the Ad Council with the resources to respond to the events of our time by creating impactful content and resources that change hearts, minds and behaviours to create a more inclusive world.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)