Why We Change Our Logo for Pride Month

Why We Change Our Logo for Pride Month

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And how we know a logo isn’t enough.

With histories rooted in protest, led by trans people of colour activists, Pride Month is a time to not only celebrate historical wins and achievements, but also to recognize the current climate of violence that exists for the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Every June, Griffith Group Executive Search changes its logo to represent to all people that Griffith Group is a safe place for 2SLGBTQI+ employees, candidates, clients, and beyond. And we also recognize that a logo change isn’t enough.

We have formalized policies against discrimination in the workplace. We are a Rainbow Registered business, a thorough accreditation process by Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) that indicates that Griffith Group has met stringent standards to ensure that all of our practices are welcoming, accepting, and celebratory of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Further, our commitment to Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility is steadfast and cornerstone to our mission and vision – and that we recognize how intersectionality is critical to understanding the fight for 2SLGBTQI+ lives and freedom. At Griffith Group, we believe in acting against injustice and believe in working with organizations that share our mission. Finally, we also donate money to local, national, and global organizations who are actively working to protect queer and trans people and communities.

While we recognize that a rainbow logo isn’t enough to combat homophobia and transphobia, it is also important publicly declare that we do everything in our power to be a company who is safe for people to live and be freely, and that everyone’s existence is honoured, here.

If you are interested in further resources for education on the history of 2SLGBTQ+ people and organizations that might benefit from monetary donations, please see below for some resources that we have found useful in our own learning journeys:

  • Human Rights Campaign: Their website offers valuable information on LGBTQ+ rights, discrimination, and ongoing challenges faced by the community.
  • The Trevor Project: This organization focuses on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ+ youth
  • Egale Canada: Egale is a leading Canadian organization dedicated to advancing equality and justice for LGBTQ+ people
  • Human Rights Watch: “This is Why We Became Activists”: A resource documenting violence against Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women and Non-Binary People
  • Wynne Neilly: Wynne Neilly is a Canadian , queer and trans identified, visual artist and award winning photographer who is currently working out of Toronto and Prince Edward County.
  • The Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE): This organization is an independent umbrella of human rights organisations operating in the small islands in the eastern Caribbean from the Virgin Islands to Grenada. The Alliance’s core membership comprises organisations representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community in the sub-region
  • Friends of Ruby: This organization is a Toronto-based drop-in youth centre for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and provides free counselling, housing, and social services.
  • The ArQuives: This is Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives, a Canadian non-profit dedicated to aid in the recovery and preservation of queer and trans histories.
  • The 519: This Toronto-based organization has been running programs and critical food services and advocated for the rights and safety of queer and trans people for over 40 years.
  • Supporting Our Youth (SOY): This Toronto-based organization is led by Sherbourne Health and provides holistic support for all queer and trans youth under the age of 29.
  • Gender Independent Groups (GIG): This Toronto-based trans support group aims to provide a safe, supportive, and affirming space for children who identify as gender independent, trans, or still exploring their gender identity.
  • Toronto Pflag: The Toronto chapter for Pflag, which holds multiple chapters across Ontario and Canada, 400 chapters in the United States, and organization in 18 countries across the world, is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ community and their families through monthly support meetings, one-on-one telephone support, school and university and presentations, and workshops for Toronto businesses.
  • The Studio by Skylark: This Toronto-based charity organization is focused on helping children, young people, and their families struggling with complex mental health and developmental needs.
  • LGBT Youthline: This Toronto-based trans support group offers a toll-free phone, text, and live online chat peer support hotline for young members of the queer community under 29 years of age.
  • Skipping Stone: This Calgary-based organization connects trans and gender diverse youth, adults, and families with comprehensive and low barrier access to the support they need and deserve.
  • Welcome Friend's Rainbow Camp: This organization runs a summer camp for young people who are 2 spirited, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning (2SLGBTQ+) and allied youth, their siblings and children in Queer families.
  • UBC CampOUT!: Based out of the Univerisity of British Columbia, CampOUT! is a leadership and learning summer camp for queer, trans, Two-Spirit, questioning, and allied youth from across BC & the Yukon.
  • QMUNITY: This Vancouver-based organization works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives through providing a safer space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their allies to fully self-express while feeling welcome and included.
  • Rainbow Refugee: This Vancouver-based organization promotes safe, equitable migration and communities of belonging for people fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status. 
  • Out In Schools: This Vancouver-based organization uses film and facilitated group discussion to engage youth in building safer, more inclusive communities. 
  • A Loving Spoonful: This organization is a volunteer-driven, non-partisan Society that provides free, nutritious meals to people living with HIV and co-existing illness in Metro Vancouver and the surrounding areas.
  • Foundation of Hope: This Vancouver-based organization helps in the settlement and relocation services of members of the LGBTQ+ community escaping persecution through acquiring funds that financially support a network of Canadian charities to assist LGBTQ+ refugee private sponsorship and newcomer resettlement services.

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