From city streets to store shelves around the world, we’re proud to celebrate the LBGTQ+ community during Pride Month. We see it as an opportunity for our entire company to engage in supporting LGBTQ+ rights and identities – and to remind people everywhere to feel proud to be themselves.
Here’s a snapshot of just a few of our Pride moments:
- It’s become a SKITTLES® tradition to give up its rainbow to celebrate the one that really matters. This year, we added a splash of color to our all-gray Pride Packs(Opens a new window), partnering with GLAAD and six talented artists within the LGBTQ+ community to design packs that represent how they see the rainbow. We donated a dollar to GLAAD for every pack purchased and each pack included a QR code to learn more about the artist, their work and their inspiration.
- Research from our DREAMIES™ cat snacks(Opens a new window) shows pets can play a vital role in tackling feelings of loneliness and social isolation. But sometimes the support of a pet isn’t enough. So, DREAMIES™ is helping fund the LGBT Foundation’s Helpline(Opens a new window) to make sure there’s always someone there to listen when a member of the LGBTQ+ community needs support. #TalkwithPride.
- Mars Wrigley North America, along with our Mars Wrigley PRIDE! Associate Resource Group (ARG), hosted events for our Associates throughout June. From the SKITTLES® & Pride Mocktail Drag Queen BINGO, Storytelling with a Queen and Voguing dance lessons to insightful webinars, podcasts, panel discussions and educational resources, our many activities were a huge hit!
Of course, Pride celebrations are rooted in the history of minority groups who’ve struggled for decades to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are. So, along with festivities, we also spotlight stories of Associate courage, resilience and allyship. Here what several had to say:
“Pride means acceptance, love and support. It’s a beacon of hope for people who live in places and situations where they cannot live their truth openly and a celebration for those who can. Pride is both the struggles that have been overcome and the struggles that remain.”
— Vestana McGuigan, Mars Wrigley
“How to be a great ally: Understand your own privilege. Listen, listen, listen. Commit to self-learning. Be ok with making mistakes.”
— Meagan Hill, Mars Petcare
“My proudest Pride moment is to talk about my family and not fear being my true self, and I no longer feel the need to fit into a heterosexual stereotype like before. It’s to feel included and supported by the very organization I chose to work for.”
— Philipe Dantas, Royal Canin
In the world we want tomorrow, all of society is inclusive and diverse – all year long, not just during June. That’s why we support sustained action, with ongoing education, allyship and improvement of our own policies and processes. In 2022, we’re particularly proud to have repeated our 100% Corporate Equality Index Rating(Opens a new window) and won third in our business sector in Forbes for Best Employers for Diversity(Opens a new window).
At Mars, fostering a culture where people feel valued and respected is truly a point of pride, each and every day of the year. #MarsPrideEveryDay #ProudlyMars #TomorrowStartsToday
