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Celebrating Pride Month at Paysafe
This year, in honor of Pride Month, we have asked members of our LGBTQ+@Paysafe employee network to reflect on the topics affecting the LGBTQ+ community in our industry today, and what Pride Month means to them.
Monika Lambeva, Compliance Analyst, Digital Wallets
What initiatives or resources do you believe are crucial for fostering a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees?
Inclusivity in the workplace is as crucial as being paid for doing your job, I believe. Some of the things I believe should be a must at the workplace in terms of LGBTQ+ inclusivity includes using an inclusive language, having employee resource groups/networks, and providing training on inclusion and diversity. These are surely some of the main ways to create an LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace, ensuring that your employees would not feel left out and will be celebrated for who they are. I am more than confident that at Paysafe, we exceed those expectations and provide a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees. Our vision and values have implemented a strong and diverse work culture as we have numerous initiatives annually throughout all our offices celebrating PRIDE and LGBTQ+ people.
What significance does Pride Month have for you?
Pride Month is an important time of the year for me personally, not only because of the fact that I am also part of the LGBTQ+ community, but also because it is a reminder of LGBTQ+ rights, how important it is to have visibility on such crucial issues, and last but not least, because we all get to step into our own lights and take complete joy in celebrating love!
Johnny Atwater, Director of Global Compliance Governance, Monitoring & Oversight, Compliance
In what ways do you believe companies could enhance their support for LGBTQ+ employees and promote inclusion in the workplace?
Encouraging LGBTQ+ colleagues to be their authentic selves and providing them with support when needed. This is especially true from a mental health perspective, as “Queer” people suffer disproportionately from mental health issues when compared to the population as a whole.
What significance does Pride Month have for you?
Although it is a bit of a party, it also remains an opportunity to reflect on how far the LGBTQ+ community has come in the last 50 years, what remains to be done for those that do not currently share our freedom, and to ensure that as a community we don’t give up the good fight!
Kandice Satterfield, Communications Specialist, Corporate Communications
In your opinion, what role does allyship play in creating an inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ employees, and how can companies actively contribute to the cause?
Allyship plays an essential role in fostering a safe and inclusive workplace environment where every employee can flourish in a manner that’s true to themselves. Meaningful advocacy goes beyond simply acknowledging Pride Month and companies should actively encourage visible allyship that extends throughout the year. One effective way to achieve this is by implementing LGBTQ+ inclusive policies that not only prevent discriminatory practices but are also clearly communicated to all employees, ensuring consistent enforcement across the entire organization. When it comes to corporate advocacy, I personally believe that Paysafe sets an inspiring example. Our company has always prioritized community-driven values, placing the well-being of our customers and employees at the forefront of our mission.
What significance does Pride Month have for you?
Pride Month holds significant meaning for me as an opportunity to honor and celebrate the stories of progress whilst recognizing the ongoing challenges and work that still lies ahead; to stand side by side with the community and reflect on personal journeys of self-discovery, acceptance, and finding one’s village. It's also about embracing our identities with pride and celebrating the beauty of being true to ourselves.
Christopher Johnson, Associate Director of ISO and Agent Sales and Global Lead of LGBTQ+@Paysafe
What advice do you have for colleagues who want to become better allies in the workplace?
Actively confront bad behavior in the workplace, i.e., homophobia, transphobia, and sexism. Listen respectfully, exercise understanding and a willingness to learn, and take time to educate others so they can better understand as well. Declare yourself as an ally to your team and others in the organization and actively participate in LGBTQ+ events both in and outside of work.
What significance does Pride Month have for you?
To me, Pride means showing my support for the LGBTQ+ community and allies, celebrating all the progress we’ve made, and fostering inclusivity. It’s also a remembrance of the hard work, dedication, and suffering that took place to get us where we are today.
Shaun Lavelle, SVP & General Manager, Direct Marketing, and Executive Sponsor of LGBTQ+@Paysafe
In what ways do you believe companies could enhance their support for LGBTQ+ employees and promote inclusion in the workplace?
To enhance support for LGBTQ+ employees and foster inclusion in the workplace, companies should conduct regular diversity and equality training sessions. This training can be used to raise awareness, promote understanding, and address any misconceptions or biases. In addition to general diversity training, companies should also implement specific sessions that help employees recognize and challenge unconscious bias in the workplace.
Create dedicated D&I networks and encourage employees to join and get involved as this will help promote a sense of belonging and allows for the formation of supportive communities. And implementing awards or recognition programs for individuals who actively contribute to D&I initiatives.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
A celebration of the progress made to date, a time to remember the efforts and suffering of those who came before us, and a call to action to continue to struggle and ensure we don’t regress. Never be complacent.
