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Pride Marches On
ELC remains committed to the LGBTQA community during the time of COVID-19, launching #ELCProudTogether, a virtual Pride celebration...
Company Feature, Jun 1, 2020
Celebrating Pride Month in June of 2020 will be different than in years past, as the world continues to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19. While annual parades and events have been cancelled or postponed, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) will be marking the occasion in creative ways, showing its support for the LGBTQA community and reflecting on strides made for equal rights.
ELC employees at the 2019 Pride Parade in New York City, of which ELC and M∙A∙C Cosmetics were a platinum sponsor
Throughout the month of June, a series of employee videos #ELCProudTogether will be rolling out across ELC’s digital platforms. ELC, in partnership with wELCome, the company’s LGBTQA Employee Resource Group (ERG), and the Inclusion & Diversity Center of Excellence, invited employees to share personal stories including what this month means to them during these unprecedented times. The #ELCProudTogether series will also highlight ELC’s deep-rooted support for LGBTQA individuals: from the M∙A∙C VIVA GLAM campaign, to the establishment of ERGs, to continuously scoring 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, recognition on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and more.
Kicking off the #ELCProudTogether series is a video featuring wELCome leadership and members from around the globe as they collectively wish everyone a “Happy Pride!”
We Are #ELCProudTogether
wELCome leadership and members share a message on Pride
“The celebration of Pride may look different this year but the spirit and passion remains strong and we remain steadfast in celebrating the diversity of professionals that make up our ELC family,” said Marilu Marshall, Senior Vice President, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer. “The Estée Lauder Companies is proud to support the LGBTQA community and allies alike as we continue to advance acceptance around the world and create change so that every person can experience the beauty of belonging.”
Supporting our Communities
ELC is a longtime advocate of LGBTQA causes, with a proven track record of driving societal change and acceptance around the world. M·A·C Cosmetics, which is part of the ELC brand portfolio, has always stood for inclusion for all with the credo “All Ages, All Races, All Genders.” This year marks the 26th anniversary of M·A·C VIVA GLAM, which was created at the height of the AIDS epidemic as a community response mechanism to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, featuring drag icon RuPaul as the campaign’s inaugural spokesperson.
M·A·C artists give makeup touch-ups at the Los Angeles Pride Parade in 2019
VIVA GLAM has raised over $500 million to date and has since expanded its mission to not only end HIV/AIDS, but to fight for healthy futures and equal rights for women, girls and LGBTQA communities. M·A·C Cosmetics also quickly adapted this year’s campaign in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, donating $10 million to 250 local organizations all over the world on the front lines serving communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional support will provide M·A·C’s existing partners with emergency relief funds to address the growing need for vital services from at-risk communities, including food delivery, medication support and testing and treatment of COVID-19, especially among the immunocompromised.
In addition to VIVA GLAM, over time, ELC and wELCome have provided numerous grants to support philanthropic initiatives that directly affect the LGBTQA community including: Live Out Loud, Tyler Clementi Foundation, SAGE, Trevor Project, Stonewall Gives Back Initiatives and Regional Pride Centers.
Supporting our Employees
Founded in 2012 in the United States, wELCome has expanded globally with local and regional chapters and counts more than 1,000 members across the world.
The North America wELCome leadership team, pictured with Fabrizio Freda, ELC President and CEO (third from right)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, wELCome has created a virtual community of belonging filled with numerous opportunities to socialize, learn and stay connected. One such initiative is a partnership with The OUT Foundation and OUTWOD for a five-week fitness program called #ELCWerkFromHome. This workout series was created exclusively for all ELC employees and has been devised to alleviate stress, boost energy levels and keep members physically and mentally fit during coronavirus restrictions.
Even in the face of COVID-19, ELC remains committed to inclusivity and equality for LGBTQA employees and the community. Pride marches on. To celebrate Pride with ELC, follow along on the company's social media platforms throughout the month of June. We are #ELCProudTogether.
