This year celebrating Pride will look very different. We will no longer have the crowds, the colours and the parades across the globe to raise awareness. Instead, we will be relying on both members of the community and our allies to continue what remains a crucial conversation around acceptance and the importance of diversity.

As a result of Covid-19 many LGBTQ+ people will feel more isolated than ever. This is why Pride in London has launched its brand new digital community hub. While millions usually line the streets in support, the hope is that even without the revelry people will still feel galvanised into making much needed ‘acts of allyship’, whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or not.

Going digital will provide an opportunity to reach out to people who don’t necessarily see Pride as their ‘thing’. For example, Changing the Face of Property have invited leaders from across the real estate sector, including Savills, to participate in a virtual coffee morning, which will see them discuss the benefits of diversity to their business and the industry as a whole.

2019 saw Savills Margaret Street HQ decked out in rainbow colours as the company welcomed colleagues, clients and competitors to celebrate. However, with social distancing restrictions still in place this year, companies will be using the power of social media to spread Pride’s essential message instead. For example, we have asked people from across the business, both members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, to explain why Pride is important to them.

This video will reach more than 221,000 LinkedIn, 70,000 Twitter and 112,000 Instagram followers, impacting far more people than an invite-only party could ever achieve, generating discussion and hopefully action among all those who see it.

Why is Pride still important to the real estate sector even when we can’t celebrate physically ?

Diversity of thought within a business, or when shaping places for people to live, work and enjoy is critical. For example, according to consultancy McKinsey, companies that fail to consider diversity are 29 per cent less likely to achieve above-average profitability.  

This is why at Savills, for instance, we are committed to entering the annual Stonewall Equality Index. The benchmarking tool allows the business to measure its progress on lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion in the workplace. While there is still plenty to learn, we remain accountable and strive to make the necessary changes.

This year we will also be launching our allies charter. We hope this will encourage those who are willing to challenge discrimination on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community to proactively pledge their support. It is often easy to forget the marginalisation people still face, especially those who are neither white nor male.

So while we may not be taking to the streets this year, we are confident that our message will still be heard loud and proud, because even though we will be celebrating apart, we continue to stand together.

• Megan Dixon, Associate in the Savills Place & Customer Experience team, is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and an active member of the group.
   

Further information

Contact Savills Careers