Free to Be Me

Building Bridges: LGBTIQ+ Economic Empowerment Takes Center Stage in Manila

20 May 2025
John Ryan
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Categories: Free to Be Me, news, News

On April 10, 2025, over 70 changemakers gathered at Accenture’s Uptown Bonifacio office in Manila for the Manila Economic Empowerment Forum—a landmark event focused on advancing LGBTIQ+ inclusion through economic empowerment across Southeast Asia.

Organised by Workplace Pride in partnership with Accenture Philippines, the forum brought together a dynamic mix of business leaders, civil society advocates, diplomats, and community voices. The day was rooted in the Free to Be Me global initiative and marked a powerful step toward localizing this movement in the Southeast Asian context.

A Platform for Evidence, Empathy, and Action

The forum was more than just a conference—it was a space for real talk, strategic co-creation, and authentic connection.

Key Highlights:

  • Data-backed insights from Open for Business highlighted the economic cost of exclusion, urging stakeholders to speak the “language of business” when advocating for inclusion.
  • Personal storytelling from local community members grounded discussions in lived experience, underscoring the human stakes of exclusion and the transformative potential of inclusive workplaces.
  • Breakout sessions explored critical topics like localizing DEI in Asia, navigating advocacy in hostile environments, inclusive procurement, and building culturally relevant toolkits.
  • Corporate leaders like ING, Shell, and Accenture shared practical ways to embed DEI across operations, from hiring to supply chains.
  • Diplomatic missions and civil society organisations discussed how to build sustainable partnerships that prioritise local leadership and long-term impact.

Button (Download Full Report Here)

Download Full Report Here

Why This Matters

Inclusion is not just a checkbox—it is a driver of innovation, resilience, and economic progress. The Manila Forum reminded us that building a truly inclusive future requires more than good intentions. It demands collaboration across sectors, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to systemic change.

The event closed with a powerful call to action: move beyond performative allyship. Invest in real partnerships. Make inclusion part of your business DNA.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you are in HR, DEI, CSR, or community advocacy, you have a role to play in advancing LGBTIQ+ economic empowerment. Explore the Civil Society Business Toolkit, connect with local partners, and bring these conversations into your workplace.

🔗 Join the movement at workplacepride.org
 💡 Partner with us to co-create inclusive strategies that work where you are.

Let us move from awareness to action—together.

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Workplace Pride Kicks Off 2025 with Annual Members’ Meeting and New Year’s Reception at PwC Amsterdam

17 January 2025
Info Workplace
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Categories: Annual Members Meeting, Event, Free to Be Me, Global Benchmark, Member, news, News

Amsterdam, January 2025 – Workplace Pride hosted its Annual Members’ Meeting and New Year’s Reception at PwC’s state-of-the-art circular Plaza in Amsterdam, marking the first time in 13 years that PwC has welcomed this event. The evening brought together Workplace Pride members, allies, and leaders in an inspiring setting, emphasising progress and collaboration in LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion.

Janet Visbeen, Member of PwC’s Management Board and Shine Network, opened the event with a heartfelt address. She reflected on the journey since PwC signed the Declaration of Amsterdam, a pivotal step in advancing inclusivity within the organisation. “Thirteen years ago, when we last hosted this event, we committed to making real change. Since then, PwC has championed initiatives such as transition leave, greater transparency in diversity reporting, and fostering inclusivity for all employees,” said Janet.

Visbeen also highlighted PwC’s ongoing efforts to broaden inclusivity beyond corporate walls. As a proud sponsor of the Roze Filmdagen, PwC supports societal discussions on challenges affecting marginalised communities. She encouraged attendees to explore ways to support similar initiatives within their own organisations.

David Pollard, Executive Director of Workplace Pride, took the stage to outline the foundation’s growth and direction. With membership up by 14% and significant international milestones achieved in 2024, Pollard emphasised the organisation’s resilience amidst global challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

“Our members are seeking more international engagement and digitalisation,” David shared. “As DEI initiatives face setbacks in certain regions, we remain steadfast, working with organisations that have supported LGBTIQ+ inclusion for decades. These are the companies driving progress in recruitment, retention, and fostering belonging.”

David also spotlighted Workplace Pride’s expanding global reach. The Declaration of India, launched in 2024, reflects the unique challenges and opportunities in the country’s vast workforce. Additionally, the Free to Be Me project, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, continues to empower LGBTIQ+ communities in 12 Global South countries through mentorships, civil society toolkits, and socio-economic roundtables.

Workplace Pride’s management team provided key updates on the Global Benchmark, Learning and Development initiatives, Community Engagement, Communications, and the Foundation’s financial health. Each team reaffirmed their commitment to fostering workplaces where LGBTIQ+ individuals can truly thrive and be their authentic selves.

As the Foundation approaches its milestone 20th anniversary in 2026, it is poised to amplify its efforts, ensuring inclusivity remains a central focus for its diverse and ever-expanding membership.

The event concluded with vibrant networking sessions, where attendees celebrated shared successes and exchanged aspirations for 2025 and beyond.

On behalf of the Workplace Pride Foundation and its staff, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the 2025 Annual Members’ Meeting and New Year’s Reception.

A special thank-you goes to PwC for hosting this incredible event, as well as to Janet Visbeen (Board of Management, PwC Netherlands – Human Capital), Karst Beckers, Monique Groothuis, Erik Poolman, Joost de Rijk-Kroon, and the entire Shine Network for their support and organisation!

#WorkplacePride #PwCNL #DiversityInAction #ShineNetwork #GlobalBenchmark

Kigali Roundtable Advances LGBTIQ+ Socio-Economic Inclusion

19 October 2023
John Ryan
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Categories: Free to Be Me, news, News, Uncategorised

Workplace Pride Partners with Dutch Embassy in Rwanda and Hivos to Drive Progress

This week, as part of the Free to Be Me Program, Workplace Pride, in collaboration with the Dutch Embassy in Rwanda and Hivos, convened the Kigali Socio-Economic Roundtable Discussion. This significant event brought together over 30 community members, diplomatic missions, and business representatives with the aim of raising awareness regarding socio-economic inclusion for the LGBTIQ+ community, initiating crucial conversations, and fostering commitment for future dialogues.

Download Kigali Roundtable Report

 “Economic development programs are not reaching LGBTIQ+ people adequately or equitably. In our workplaces, creating an environment where everyone can be themselves is essential and should be the standard for modern businesses.”

Dutch Ambassador in Kigali, Joan Wiegman

During the roundtable held at the residence of the Dutch Ambassador in Kigali, Joan Wiegman, she emphasised the imperative need for an environment in workplaces where everyone can authentically be themselves, asserting that this should be the benchmark for modern businesses. Ambassador Wiegman stated, “Economic development programs must adequately and equitably encompass the LGBTIQ+ community.”

Key insights from the discussions include:

  1. The demand for increased investments and resources to propel economic inclusion for the LGBTIQ+ community.
  2. The recognition that more efforts are necessary to heighten awareness and transform narratives, positioning the LGBTIQ+ community as vital contributors to inclusive economic growth.
  3. Emphasis on the significance of not only having inclusive policies but ensuring their active implementation to achieve comprehensive inclusion.

Dutch Ambassador in Kigali, Joan Wiegman with Levis Maina, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at PATH

As Workplace Pride, we take immense pride in the resilience demonstrated by the Rwandan LGBTIQ+ community and remain steadfast in our commitment to drive inclusion, paving the way for socio-economic development opportunities for the LGBTIQ+ community both locally, in Africa, and across Asia.

#Hivos, #EmbassyoftheKingdomoftheNetherlandsinRwanda, #IrisVanNoord, #MarloesVanFulpen, #LevisNderitu, #AlvinAmbunya, #GrahamSparks, #AnneJellema, #SaidaAli

FREE TO THRIVE FELLOWSHIP

5 July 2023
John Ryan
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Categories: Free to Be Me, News

Hivos hosted the inaugural Free to Thrive Fellowship in Maputo, Mozambique from June 12th to 16th, 2023. The fellowship, conceived under the transformative Free to Be Me program, aims to provide the fellows with an experience focused on learning, connection, and reflection. It is a year-long program that combines in-person and virtual training sessions, centered around key learning modules that aim to deepen knowledge and practice in LGBTIQ+ advocacy for economic justice.

Download The Full Report Here.

#FreeToThriveFellowship #WorkplacePride #EmpowerLGBTIQ #InclusiveEconomy #LearningForChange

Building a More Inclusive Socio-Economic Environment for LGBTIQ+ in the Philippines

10 May 2023
John Ryan
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Categories: Free to Be Me, News

Workplace Pride brought together the Business community and Civil Society organizations in Manila for a productive dialogue on LGBTIQ+ inclusion. The discussions revealed the invisible spaces and communities that intersected in significant ways and exposed the areas needing bold collaboration to define better what Socio-Economic Development means for LGBTIQ+ people of the Philippines. 

The five-hour event was hosted by IBM and brought over 25 representatives from the Business Community and Civil Society organizations, including Student organizations, to tackle the theme Building a More Inclusive Socio-Economic Environment for LGBTIQ+ in the Philippines.

Cristine Breva, Workplace Pride Regional Lead for Asia and event moderator, welcomed everyone. She then introduced Raul Hular, Project Manager of Yayasan Hivos, who spoke briefly to give the audience an overview of the Free to Be Me Program. After that, the Dutch Ambassador, Marielle Geraedts, made her opening remarks, followed by a welcome message from IBM’s Client Delivery Center Leader for Business Process Operations, Long Inton. Graham Sparks, Workplace Pride Project Manager, then proceeded to provide the group with an orientation of Workplace Pride, their mission and why Workplace Pride is prioritizing creating spaces to discuss socio-economic development.

Graham then presented the Civil Society Toolkit – a guide to support civil society organizations in their business interactions. Introductions and an audience discussion on stereotypes and challenges was facilitated shortly after. 

Breakout discussions on socio-economic development for the LGBTIQ+ communities in the Philippines followed after lunch. Representatives detailed their experiences and views on where the work lies further to push the inclusion and socio-economic development for the LGBTIQ+ agenda. Finally, a panel discussion on bridging the gaps between business and civil society occurred with good audience participation. Graham and Cristine made closing remarks and reminded the attendees that the day’s conversations were only the beginning, to expect more collaborations, and to keep the conversation going.

This event was made accessible to Deaf attendees through sign language interpreters.

For more information on Workplace Pride’s contribution to the F2BM program, please contact david@workplacepride.org 

Click here to view the full report of “Building a More Inclusive Socio-Economic Environment for LGBTIQ+ in the Philippines”:

Click below to download Report

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