True colours

Thank you to everyone who helped put Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide at the heart of the Birmingham Pride celebrations on 26 May.

Next up, colleagues from across the country will again be celebrating 40 years since the rainbow flag was introduced for the first time at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade celebration on 25 June 1978, at Edinburgh Pride on Saturday 16 June.

Parcelforce customer experience team leader, Sarah-Jane Onions, said that taking the lead on Birmingham Pride was hard work but extremely rewarding.

‘Working closely alongside Sam Plumber and Dan Meacher we really strived to achieve the support we wanted within Parcelforce and the turnout showed it worked,’ she said.

‘The whole day was wonderful and the energy our group alone brought was off the scale. The feedback we received from the crowds as our float passed down the main high street was really overwhelming.

‘Having Royal Mail and Parcelforce come together in the way that we did was something we should all be proud of. I’d really like to see more Parcelforce colleagues show their support at Leeds Pride on Sunday 5 August which will be a fabulous, fun day out for the whole family.’

Team leader Lewis Dhesi from Parcelforce International Hub, who had never attended a Pride march before, said: ‘I thought it was fantastic. I really enjoyed the day and I think the effort people go to is brilliant.

‘I thought the parade, the way the crowd really got involved with us, and the interaction with the public was excellent. It was a far better day than I anticipated. The turnout was incredible and not just from Parcelforce Worldwide. It’s definitely something I would recommend to others.’

Parcelforce International helpdesk advisor Staci Hawkins, added: ‘With it being my first Pride it was a little intimidating at first but I really got into it and could be seen singing and dancing along with the parade towards the end.

‘The whole event was really well organised, and it was such an enjoyable day. The outfits worn by other attendees were really out there and you could tell that they put a lot and time and effort getting ready for the day. I’m already planning on upgrading my orange socks for next year!’

You can watch our Birmingham Pride highlights video below:

Supporting Pride is another way we can celebrate our differences, reflect the communities we serve and promote Royal Mail as an equal opportunities employer and a true champion of LGBT+ colleagues and the wider LGBT+ community.

As one of the UK’s largest employers, we are committed to putting equality and diversity at the heart of our business. This year, we are once again taking part in the Pride in London parade, as well as Pride events in, Edinburgh, Black Pride London, Belfast and Leeds.

All Royal Mail colleagues and their friends and family are invited to celebrate the below Pride events on behalf of the company:

• Edinburgh – 16 June
• London – 7 July
• Black Pride London – 8 July
• Belfast – 4 August
• Leeds – 5 August

Join us at Pride in Edinburgh

We want people to sign-up to attend the Pride of your choice as early as possible as places are capped. To secure your places, please email pride@royalmail.com with your name, the number of people attending with you, which Pride you would like to attend and whether you would like to be on our float.