Pride 365/24/7: Oracle’s ongoing commitment to the LGBTQ+ Community

For Pride 2024, the theme is "Celebrate Authenticity" underscoring the courage to be out, proud, and visible in the community, and showcasing the remarkable strength each individual possesses. The Oracle Pride Employee Network (OPEN), an Employee Resource Group (ERG) unites and empowers our LGBTQ+ and Ally communities around the world. With a motto of PRIDE 365/24/7, they tirelessly offer education and outreach programs, as well as activities and events to bring our employees together.

At company-wide events all year long, OPEN members share their stories and talk about their experiences both inside and outside of Oracle. They also offer training sessions on topics to help educate colleagues and create a more welcoming environment for all.

OPEN members say these trainings and support have helped them deal with issues even beyond work. Allowing them to be true to themselves with personal authenticity being a persistent theme among members. Also empowering allies to take a stand and walk in unison.

"When people don't feel like they can be themselves, the negative aspects of that feeling will permeate every action and outcome," said Teegan Toftely, a principal technical support analyst at Oracle based in Minnesota. "Lack of inclusion can have far-reaching negative consequences for individuals within the organization as well as the organization itself."

Ileana Yacusso, an Oracle HR professional based in Argentina concurred stating, "I used to feel uncomfortable in other companies about sharing my true identity. I kept it a secret depending on who I was talking to. But when I joined Oracle, the first thing I saw was a quote from an Oracle executive saying, 'if you can't bring your whole self to work, you cannot bring your best self.'"

Xavier Pinneau, vice president of Finance, Compensation, Consolidation and Divisional in Oracle JAPAC stressed the importance of representation. "Representation is the result, not the cause, of an inclusive workplace. But it is also a prompt for others to follow. This is why I feel that visible LGBTQ+ leaders play a critical role in dismissing the idea that we need to 'fit in the box' in order to succeed in the workplace."

Ensuring that every employee feels supported for who they are is not just good for employees but the organization at large. The more successfully the company embraces culture and inclusion, the better it will serve the varied and diverse world of customers.