June is Pride month all over the world, and this year, we wanted to do more in our community of rapidly-scaling tech companies to demonstrate Ardoq’s support for diversity and inclusion. We were very fortunate that Lars Arnesen, Chair of Oslo Pride, was able to come to our main office in Oslo to share a lot more about the history of Pride in Oslo specifically, how it’s more than just a parade, and why it continues to be critical today. Ardoqians across all offices gathered in person and online to attend. We were also joined by members of our coworking space in Oslo, Share. We know embracing diversity and inclusion is a neverending journey of learning and self-reflection, especially in a field like Enterprise Architecture where diversity is shaping the future. We hope that the session was inspiring for others in our industry to consider how or what they could be doing better. Here is a quick recap and some takeaways from Lars’ Pride session with us:
Oslo Pride: More Than Just a Parade
Lars has been part of Oslo Pride for over ten years and has seen this event grow into what it is today. Modern Pride events like Oslo’s trace their origins back to the historic Stonewall riots in 1969, a turning point in LGBTQ+ history. Oslo’s first Pride took place in 1974, just two years after Norway lifted its prohibition on homosexuality.
Pride is important in communities all over the world to create a safe space where people can feel free to express themselves and feel a sense of belonging to something greater. Pride events are also important ways for the queer community to foster greater education and awareness in the wider community.
The concept of "Pride Month" originated in the United States, while Norway used to celebrate "skeive dager" or "queer days," emphasizing gender and sexuality diversity. Today in 2023, Oslo Pride is a 10-day festival encompassing a multifaceted approach to raise awareness and engage various communities, including families and businesses.
Post-Pandemic Challenges and Solidarity
This year’s celebrations in Oslo are more important than ever, after years of isolation under a pandemic and especially in the shadow of the mass shooting that led to the cancellation of 2022’s Pride. The shocking hate crime took place in the middle of downtown Oslo. It took the lives of two and injured 21 others and demonstrates that the work against hate and for inclusion is as essential as ever. Despite the crisis, the community showcased its ability to unite and gather as a collective. The trauma of 2022 does not define 2023’s Pride, and it will help the community move past the devastation to focus on building solidarity and demonstrating their resilience.
“We want the next couple of days to be a real celebration where everyone can celebrate and enjoy themselves. That’s what Pride is really about. It’s about being able to express yourself and live your life to the fullest.”
- Lars Arnesen, Chair of Oslo Pride
Solidarity across borders is another challenge and key focus for Lars and his team. Many still live in places where embracing diversity or being openly queer is not legal or safe. Lars works closely with activists in Russia and Ukraine to find ways to collaborate and support the queer communities there. Barents Pride is an example of how the Norwegian queer community has been extending support across borders and challenging political situations. Since 2017, it has been held annually in Kirkenes, a short drive from the Russian border, co-organized by FRI, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Queer World, Amnesty, and "Equals" from Russia.
The Significance of Pride Today
With legal equality achieved in many countries, including Norway, some question the necessity of Pride celebrations.
“People are still wondering why do we even have Pride, why is that necessary in Norway where we have marriage equality. But I don’t think that’s the main point. We need Pride because it’s obviously, clearly very important to thousands of people. It increases the quality of life for many, and it’s such a joyful moment to be able to have that safe space together where we are the majority, where we can live our lives to the fullest and be who we are without feeling any shame. And this is why Pride is just growing year by year.”
- Lars Arnesen
Legal marriage is just one part of a very complex and nuanced issue for the queer community because there are multifaceted ways and numerous battles to be fought still for greater inclusivity and recognition. Norway ranks among the highest in the world for LGBTQ+ rights, yet there is still much to be done. The Norwegian Parliament is currently looking at a total ban on conversion therapy and, most recently, a new proposal for the inclusion of a third legal gender.
Pride also plays a vital role in increasing the quality of life for thousands of individuals, providing a sense of belonging and a safe space for self-expression. Pride celebrations allow people to be themselves without being afraid or ashamed. As the movement grows every year, the need for self-expression and visibility remains crucial.
Creating an Inclusive Environment: Takeaways for Companies like Ardoq
These days, many organizations have taken to displaying more visible support for the LGBTQ+ community, openly displaying Pride colors on their official digital platforms and on-premise. This visible support is encouraging but also raises the concern of pinkwashing or rainbow-washing, where organizations essentially do not walk the talk and support the community they appear to be allies of.
When asked what organizations could do to steer clear of pinkwashing, Lars urged companies to actively embrace diversity and inclusion beyond symbolic gestures. They can do this by integrating these values into the company's DNA and regularly using these values as the starting point for discussions and decisions, such as in all-hands meetings or town halls. Companies should aim to take real action and also engage in initiatives that make a meaningful impact. They could choose, for example, to participate in Pride activities such as the Oslo Pride Business Forum, to share what they have done and learn from other organizations’ approaches. This demonstrates a more genuine, productive commitment and contribution to the cause.
He emphasized that it is also crucial for every employee to take personal responsibility for cultivating an inclusive environment rather than placing the burden solely on management. An individual’s actions should be meaningful and aligned with the company's values, ensuring that inclusivity is a consistent focus throughout the organization.
How Ardoq Embraces Diversity Right Now
After Lars’s sharing, our VP of Operations, Nick Peters, spoke briefly about how diversity and inclusion are part of Ardoq’s core values. He highlighted how we are walking the talk, ensuring employees have the right platforms and opportunities to discuss and share feedback on the workplace and inclusivity. We also have developed robust policies and approaches to make diversity, equity and inclusion part of the hiring process.
We must also keep tabs on sentiment on the ground within the company. Employee perception of diversity and inclusion is part of our monthly surveys so we can assess how people feel across countries and departments and get early signs when intervention might be needed.
We’re very proud to be an inclusive employer, and we hope that this talk and our efforts can inspire other companies to think deeper about what they could or should be doing to embrace diversity in the workplace.
