Jun 15, 2021
As Pride Month continues, the LGBTQ+ & Allies Employee Resource Group (ERG) at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is embracing its role as a catalyst for driving a diverse and inclusive culture across the company. Leading this ERG is Jackie Lacey, Director of Education and Industry Relations at Floriology®, powered by BloomNet®, in Jacksonville, FL. Jackie took time out to share his thoughts on celebrating Pride, the importance of promoting greater understanding, and how to best be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate Pride?
Like most celebrations – it is family time, and I mean my chosen family. My birth family is incredibly supportive, respectful, and loving to all of my friends. Still, I often say that your real family is the circle of friends that you choose to have around you – those who are not just there because they were born into your family, but those who are there when you are happy, there when you are sad, and there even when you disappoint them. I have attended a lot of the Pride parades, street parties, private parties, and celebrations. My family – birth and chosen – are often with me.
What role do ERGs play in furthering an inclusive work environment?
My hope is that the ERGs foster greater understanding and communication. When we recognize and address fear and unconscious bias, and actively open the flow of education and communication, we will be more productive. That’s both a win for that team, and for the company overall. A more inclusive workplace means success will be more inclusive as well. We all just want to feel like we contribute, like we are included in both the work and the success, and like we are part of the team in every way.
How can people best be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community?
Like anything else, be supportive. Many people are frightened of what they do not know or understand. You can be supportive, kind, and respectful even if your beliefs and lifestyle are different. We are all different, and that is what makes us more interesting. That is one of the reasons our community embraces the rainbow flag. We are the colors of the world, and we are part of each and every ethnicity, religion, community, and minority. Most times the easiest way to help is to simply ask, “How can I help?”
What do you wish more people knew about the LGBTQ+ community?
We are part of every community. When you look around, it’s sometimes easy to see who identifies as male, or female, or who might be Black, Asian, or Latinx. But it is not always evident who identifies as LGBTQ+. What is even more challenging is that within every one of these other communities there is discrimination shown toward LGBTQ+ people. That is still a huge mountain. The LGBTQ+ community, like most minority communities, is still striving for equality. I often try to make this point – that the LGBTQ+ community is like every other community, and we are representative of every community.
Who has most inspired you within the LGBTQ+ community, and why?
There are so many. Harvey Milk, for his bravery in the seventies. Jeanne Manford, who co-founded PFLAG for parents, families, and friends of LGBTQ+ people. And Dan Savage, who launched the “It Gets Better Project” which works to prevent suicide among young LGBTQ+ people.
What brings you the most Pride?
We have to have pride in ourselves to be able to share pride with others. I am proud to be a positive representative of the LGBTQ+ community. I do all that I can to be a good citizen, and I try to set a good example for others. If I can help others learn more about this community and to show more respect to others as a human race – that is what brings me Pride!
To celebrate Pride Month, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. has joined forces with GLAAD to help create a world where there are #NoLimitsOnLove. Through June 30, 20% of net proceeds* from purchases of the company's special Pride Bouquet will benefit GLAAD, the leading LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization. To further support the LGBTQ+ community, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. has also made a $25,000 donation to GLAAD.
*"Net Proceeds" is defined as the gross sales price of the product less any and all taxes, service charges, shipping and handling charges, discounts, gift certificates, promotional gift certificates, promotional offers (e.g., airline miles, points, e-money, etc.) credits, rebates, chargebacks, refunds, credit card processing fees and gift certificate cancellations. GLAAD is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization – EIN 13-3384027
