AUSTRALIA
A colourful cohort of Kinetic Pride champions hit the streets of Melbourne recently to fly the flag of inclusion and spread a message of love to the LGBTQI+ community at Midsumma’s annual Pride March. Kinetic’s co-CEOs marched alongside team members in front of one of the company’s ‘Pride buses’ wearing T-shirts and carrying signs with the affirming message ‘you are loved’ at the event, which attracts more than 53,000 people each year.
Executive General Manager for Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales Graham Smith said the team was keen to create a powerful visual display of acceptance and unity. “By marching, we’re sending a clear sign of our commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels embraced and accepted being their true selves every day, whether you’re in our bus or in our workplace,” he said.
Among those marching was Chair of Kinetic’s Pride Committee, Roisin Wellington, who said the event was also an amazing opportunity for team members to come together. “Today we had people from all walks of life – some who were marching for the first time, and some who are veterans at this incredible event. It has been a really special experience for everyone to come together and say loudly and proudly that we recognise and support all sexualities, genders, identities and cultures,” she added.
Kinetic says that driving LGBTQI+ inclusion and allyship is one of its core sustainability priorities, and as such has made major efforts to improve the inclusiveness of its workplaces so everyone feels welcome. In June last year, the company was awarded a bronze accreditation in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) for the first time, and says it is on the journey to achieve a gold accreditation in 2024.
