Voices of GoTo: In this series we highlight the people that make flexible work, work: our employees! GoTo is a global company with over 3000 employees around the world, these are their stories.
Families, just like people, come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. This year, as tensions and uncertainties have risen around support of the LGBTQIA+ community, GoTo’s dedication to supporting its GoGetter family members in the community remained steadfast. This June, GoTo focused on something that brings people together: the love of family. Whether you are biologically related or have chosen family, GoTo shines a light on love, togetherness, and inclusivity.
GoTo’s PRIDE and Families employee resource groups joined forces to host educational, networking, and support events. But the events were not aimed exclusively at those identifying as a community member or loving someone within it. There was a lot to learn for allies as well. “To be a true supporter of any marginalized community, do not fall into the trap of "performative allyship," said Michael Gagnon, Leader of PRIDE@GoTo, which is just surface-level support. “Authentic allyship means that you put yourself in the experience of that community, especially when things get tough.”
Parents at GoTo with LGBTQIA+ children came together at a mixer to be real about their experiences navigating allyship and partnership. Conversations touched on how parents want to protect their children while caring for themselves, as they also need support. People shared stories about their experiences with extended family and best practices for continuing to educate themselves. Participants expressed gratitude for groups like PFLAG – the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQIA+ people – that can help friends and family of queer people – because no one is alone.
While GoGetters are dispersed worldwide, they stay more connected than ever through the company’s various Slack channels. And the PRIDE@GoTo channel lit up with pictures of chosen families and allyship. Information – like where community members can find a safe home in Canada, and movies or books that showcase queer voices were swapped between group members. Crystal Diaz, Communications Lead of PRIDE@GoTo, asked the group’s hundreds of members to share how their chosen family has positively impacted their lives, resulting in a flood of photos, videos, and tales.
The PRIDE leadership team thoughtfully curated experiences for parents, those looking to start a family, those reflecting on their chosen family, and those eager to celebrate all families. Carrot Fertility – a global team of doctors, operators, designers, and engineers striving to provide fertility care for all – hosted a discussion on family-forming options for the LGBTQIA+ community, including donor-assisted reproduction, adoption, and gestational surrogacy.
While it can sometimes feel like the voices of those trying to dull the spirit of Pride month are growing louder, GoTo maintains its pride through its benefits and culture. “The opposite of shame is pride, so to me, Pride month is an opportunity to celebrate our differences, be loud about the things we no longer want to be ashamed of, and shine light into the dark corners and forgotten areas of our community to lift others up that need a voice, too,” said Michael. At GoTo, these timely conversations are ongoing twelve months out of the year. "Why are we discussing LGBTQIA+ issues at work” asked Michael, “because these issues, if left unaddressed, affect our work.
GoTo is committed to leading the tech industry in being a more inclusive and equitable workplace and was honored to receive a score of 90 out of 100 curing the 20th annual Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index. This is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
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