Nearly four years and one pandemic on since the launch of our Nous Proud employee network, we are thrilled to have taken part in our first-ever Pride March.

Organised by Nous Proud, our team members, together with partners, friends, and family took part in the Midsumma Festival Pride March in Melbourne during February.

“After the disruption of the pandemic, it was fantastic for so many of our network come together and celebrate our pride in this iconic event,” said Nous Proud Australia Lead Dale Temby.

The Midsumma Festival March kicked off the Nous Proud calendar of events for 2023 which brings together people from across our international network to build connections, share experiences and promote inclusion.

Over recent weeks, Nous Proud has delivered a series of care and connection events in our offices around Australia. A highlight of this latest series was a special event with activist and 1978 Sydney Mardi Gras parade participant, Dr David Abello, celebrating WorldPride. More than 100 Nousers joined the event, taking the opportunity to learn, reflect and celebrate the progress that has been made in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.

“Hearing and learning from David’s lived experience was such a privilege and reminder that activism isn’t a one-off action,” Nouser Kazimier Lim noted after the event. “The 1978 Mardi Gras March was the first, but similar marches in succeeding years were equally essential in gaining traction and establishing social equality.

“We’ve come a long way since 1978 but it’s still so important to keep fighting for a better world for all of us. And “all of us” means we must ensure that no members of our community are left behind.”

All Nousers are invited to join Nous Proud and play an active part in LGBTIQ+ inclusivity. The employee network was established in 2019 with four key objectives:

  • Provide direct support for LGBTIQ+ Nousers;
  • Promote LGBTIQ+ inclusive behaviours at Nous;
  • Create more inclusive societies through our bold and engaging work; and
  • Support Nous externally as an LGBTIQ+ inclusive employer of choice.

As we approach Nous Proud’s fourth anniversary, the employee network is developing LGBTIQ+ Ally training resources. These resources will be used to support ally training across all Nous offices and promote discussions around how to be an active and effective ally for the LGBTIQ+ community.

The new training resources build upon Nous Proud’s work on our Gender Affirmation Support Guide which was launched last year. Developed in consultation with Nous’ People team, the guide is designed to:

  • Support Nousers to affirm their gender in the workplace;
  • Build Nousers’ understanding of trans and gender diverse people; and
  • Enable Nousers to support their colleagues to affirm their gender in the workplace.