June is Pride Month around the world, and we’re proud to celebrate alongside our LGBTQ+ colleagues, communities and allies globally. Diversity & Inclusion is, and always will be, a global business imperative for Nielsen. Promoting diverse voices and perspectives is key to creating a winning business, as it fosters an environment in which everyone feels respected and can reach their full potential. And June is the ideal time to acknowledge the impact LGBTQ+ colleagues have had on history and our company, while also addressing the challenges this community can face around the world.
“As we recognize and celebrate Pride Month globally, we will continue to drive inclusion for our LGBTQ+ colleagues around the world,” said Natasha Miller Williams, SVP Diversity & Inclusion, Nielsen. “We have a responsibility to foster belonging for all of our associates and to create growth opportunities for everyone.”
Inclusion and acceptance for LGBTQ+ people may vary around the world, but not at Nielsen. Our global non-discrimination policy—which covers gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation, among other factors—applies identically in every country where we operate worldwide.
Nielsen has been actively supporting and championing our LGBTQ+ colleagues for over a decade, beginning with the launch of our PRIDE LGBTQ + Allies employee resource group (ERG) in 2007. Since then, PRIDE members have been instrumental in achieving important milestones for LGBTQ+ associates and consumer measurement. And in 2018 and 2019, we took several notable steps to further our support for LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation worldwide:
- We’ve expanded our PRIDE ERGs globally, with chapters across North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. And PRIDE members have been empowered to drive inclusivity within Nielsen and in our measurement. For example, PRIDE chapters in Germany and Poland published their first-ever LGBTQ+ consumer reports, which measure consumer behavior and shopping trends that demonstrate the market importance of the LGBTQ community. Our first-ever report for LGBTQ+ consumers in Mexico will be published later this month.
- Our PRIDE ERG, in collaboration with GLAAD, was a key collaborator for the launch of our first-ever public reporting of same-sex household television viewership ratings, which help to quantify LGBTQ+ viewership of media, something only Nielsen can do.
- We joined the Business Coalition for the Equality Act, a group of leading U.S. employers that support the Equality Act. If passed, this U.S. federal legislation would provide LGBTQ+ people with the same basic protections that are provided to other protected groups under federal law, including protections to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public services.
- In the U.S., we expanded our benefits to support every path to parenthood by adding an all-inclusive fertility benefits provider that covers reimbursement for adoption and surrogacy.
We are also proud of the external recognition of our efforts to drive inclusion for our LGBTQ+ associates worldwide.
- DiversityInc named Nielsen to its list of Top Companies for LGBT Employees for the second consecutive year.
- Our LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices were honored by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation with a perfect 100% score on the Corporate Equality Index for the sixth consecutive year.
- Nielsen Mexico was honored as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by Human Rights Campaign Equidad Mexico for two consecutive years.
- Nielsen Poland was recognized as LGBTQ Supporting Employer of the Year in the Natwest LGBT+ Diamond 2018 Polish Business Awards.
“I extend a special thank you to our PRIDE ERG members and leaders for their impact on inclusion within our company and externally within our US TV currency products,” added Kelly Abcarian, General Manager, Advanced Video Advertising and PRIDE ERG Executive Sponsor at Nielsen. “We are committed to ensuring Nielsen remains on the leading edge of inclusion for our colleagues and communities worldwide.”
Kelly recently joined David Kenny, Nielsen’s CEO and Chief Diversity Officer, in sharing a Pride Month message:
