June is Pride Month, and at EBCONT this year it will be accompanied by various activities, such as a Pride Breakfast with Luan Pertl on the topic of "gender diversity", participation in the Pride Run as well as in the Pride Biz Networking Lounge and internal educational work on various topics related to diversity and Pride.
Pride month is immensely important for the queer community. When rainbow flags appear everywhere and more people dare to show themselves in public, it's like the drummers who stand on the sidelines during races and give the runners strength for the next kilometers with their beats, or the spectators who cheer you on with signs and shouts so that you don't give up.
Carina Skladal, co-initiator of the EBCONT Diversity Initiative, is proud of what has been achieved so far: "I am happy that today we are closing the month of June with this very special EBCONT Pride Boot Lounge and hopefully we can carry this vibe beyond June. We will set a sign for acceptance, respect and equal rights today on the Danube Canal. Also, the many bright colors should provide visibility."
Johannes Litschauer, Managing Director of EBCONT, strongly supports the clear statement: "We are a family business and unite many cultures and diversities with our more than 600 employees. We want to offer our colleagues a diverse home without hate and discrimination."
Visibility was also the keyword for one of the evening's highlights. One of Austria's most successful drag artists graced the EBCONT Pride Boot: Philisha Conditioner is not only a regular in Vienna's bars and clubs with her energetic dance performances, but also conquers the stages at Pride celebrations all over Europe. The interview with two EBCONT colleagues was unvarnished and to the point, showing what outing, legislation and threats to the community are all about and where we can work together for more respect and acceptance.
But nothing works without the help and open support of Straight Allies, as they also exist in EBCONT, who show understanding and solidarity for the rights and equality of LGBTIQ+ people (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) and actively fight against discrimination and work for the recognition and acceptance of LGBTIQ+ people in society.
