Zurich celebrates Pride Month

In 2021, Zurich in Ireland partnered with Dublin Pride for the first time with the aim to create a work environment which is inclusive and safe, where everyone feels heard and is offered the same opportunities. During that first year we held a series of Listen & Learn sessions covering topics including inclusive culture, trans awareness, intersectionality, microagressions and HIV in Ireland. Our hope was to encourage conversation and learning around LGBTQ+ topics in a safe space.

In 2022, we embraced June as Pride Month with a host of events both virtual and in person. From coffee mornings to bingo, there was a chance for everyone to get involved. 2022 was also the first time we introduced personal stories. We began with an insightful and inspiring ‘This Is Us, This Is Me’ session from Wexford’s Laura Corrigan. We also heard from TV personality Oliver Callan, who shared his story on growing up gay in Ireland and we had talks on how to create an environment of respect and understanding in the workplace. To round off the month we took to the streets for the first time and joined the Dublin Pride march and parade.

So, what’s happening this year? 2023 is an important year for Dublin Pride as it marks a series of anniversaries of important events in the history of Pride and LGBTQ+ rights in Dublin. It’s the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ+ group in Dublin, Sexual Liberation Movement, which was based in Trinity College. It’s also the 40th anniversary of the famous march to Fairview Park and first Dublin Pride Parade, and the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.

As we take our place once again in the Dublin Pride March & Parade on Saturday 24th June, we are delighted to see our participation numbers growing with employees, friends and families coming together in support of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).

As well as the Parade, we have an exciting programme of events for Zurich employees. These events are for everyone – whether part of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally or perhaps interested in hearing and learning more.

Tuesday 23rd May: How to be an ally

Being an LGBTQ+ ally can make a huge difference for those in the workplace as well as in everyday life. Whether you show your allyship by showing up to Pride parades or just standing up against homophobia or transphobia. It is super easy too – but sometimes we may worry about using our voices in case we offend or say the wrong thing. Zurich employees are invited to this talk to examine the power of allies, confronting our own bias and identifying hurtful or damaging language.

Saturday 27th May: Pride in the Park

Pride in the Park returns to Min Ryan Park, Wexford, on Saturday 27th May.

Thursday 1st June: Pride coffee morning

All staff are invited to join a coffee morning in our offices in the IFSC, Blackrock and Wexford on Thursday 1st June.

Wednesday 7th June: Zurich & Tackle Your Feelings

In collaboration with Tackle Your Feelings, we are delighted to announce a panel discussion with Nick McCarthy. Nick is a Leinster scrum-half and a TYF ambassador, who will be sharing his story of coming out, metal health, the role he plays as a TYF ambassador and why you should always be yourself.

Saturday 10th June: LGBTQ+ sketching tour

Explore Pride at the National Gallery of Ireland with the gallery's LGBTQ+ collection on this sketching tour. Sketching is an intense and surprisingly relaxing way of appreciating all that the gallery has to offer. No artistic ability required, just a willingness to get creative!

Saturday 10th June: LGBTQ+ guided tour

The National Gallery of Ireland will provide a free guided tour exploring a selection of works from the collection that are connected to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. The tour guide will encourage you to look more closely at art and to question the seemingly heteronormative histories that go with it.

Wednesday 14th June: Supporting our LGBTQ+ loved ones with Pride

We are delighted to join the Zurich UK Pride Team for this meaningful discussion. Two speakers from FFLAG alongside our very own John Keppel (he/him) will discuss their journeys as parents of LGBTQ+ children, and ways that you can support your loved ones, as well as answering any questions you may have.

FFLAG is a UK voluntary organisation and registered charity dedicated to supporting parents and families and their LGBTQ+ members. FFLAG is part of the Safe Space Alliance, which is a LGBTQ+ led non-profit organisation that aims to help people identify, navigate, and create safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. Read more about FFLAG here.

Wednesday 21st June: Becky Loftus – Surrogacy. This event is hosted by VHI.

Surrogacy is often the last choice for couples who are struggling with infertility. A subject not openly spoken about in Ireland, we have seen coverage on the topic of surrogacy in the media and some positive movements around surrogacy legislation in the last 12 months.

This session will be hosted by Becky Loftus, who was a surrogate in 2019 and has in-depth knowledge of and first-hand experience with surrogacy.

Becky has shared her story nationwide, from hosting an event with 200 people who were interested in surrogacy to appearing on the Late Late Show. She is a strong advocate for creating surrogacy legislation within Ireland.

Saturday 24th June: Dublin Pride march and parade

As part of our partnership with Dublin Pride, we will once again join the Dublin Pride march and parade on Saturday 24th June.

Tuesday 27th June: Zak Moradi – The Importance of Inclusion. This event is hosted by VHI.

Born in an Iraqi Refugee Camp, Semaco “Zak” Moradi is a Kurdish national whose family relocated to Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland in 2002 at the age of 11 and having no English.

Since then, Zak has gone on to win an abundance of personal and sporting accolades including; Dublin Intermediate Hurling Championship Winner 2017, 2016 Lory Meagher All-Star, 2019 All Ireland Lory Meagher Winner. He is best-selling author whose book, Life Begins in Leitrim: From Kurdistan to Croke Park, was recently shortlisted at the An Post Irish Book Awards.