Sign up for our upcoming events, including PIOW's ERG Leadership Summit and our annual Pride celebration. Learn about new board members, new sponsors, and what's happening at our community partners.
May is blooming with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and lead with Pride! In this month’s newsletter, we’re spotlighting our upcoming ERG Leadership Summit and our always-anticipated annual Pride celebration—two can’t-miss events that bring our vibrant community together. Plus, a reminder for the $pecial di$count for the Big Queer Food Fest taking place this weekend, plus info on aCity of Boston Pride Event PIOW is co-hosting! 🌈
We're also thrilled to introduce new board members and new sponsors who are helping shape the future of LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. Plus, don’t miss exciting updates from our community partners doing amazing work across the region.
There’s a lot happening—and we want you in the loop. Let’s keep building this movement, together. 💼🌟🏳️🌈
PIOW Events
PIOW ERG Leadership Summit at Boston Spirit Networking Night
May 14 at Marriott Copley Place
Happening in less than 2 weeks!! Join Us for the PIOW ERG Leadership Summit at Boston Spirit’s Networking Night!
Calling all ERG and DEI leaders! Pride in Our Workplace (PIOW) is thrilled to host the ERG Leadership Summit in partnership with Boston Spirit’s Annual LGBTQ+ Networking Night on May 14 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.
🔹 5:00-5:40 - Navigating the Changing DEI & LGBTQ+ Workplace Landscape:
How ERGs Can Stay Resilient Amid Legislative Rollbacks and Corporate DEI Cutbacks
Panelists:
Jasmine Hawthorne (she/her), Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, HarbourVest
Iz Stephenson (they/them), Inclusion Manager, CrossCountry Consulting
Kevin Knoblock (he/him), Clinical Co-Chair, LGBTQ ERG, Mass General Hospital
Moderator: Brian Teague (he/him), PIOW Board
🔹 5:50-6:30 - Making the Business Case for LGBTQ+ Inclusion:
How to Align ERG Goals with Company Priorities to Secure Leadership Buy-In and Funding
Panelists:
Javier Barrientos (he/him), Executive DEIB Leader
Nicole Loguidice (she/her), Co-Lead, Take Pride, Takeda Pharmaceutical
Tom Harvey (he/him), CIO, Executive Sponsor Pride@Work, Alkermes
Moderator: Ciara Gogan, PIOW Board
📍 Location: Marriott Copley Place ⏰ Time:May 14, 5:00-6:30, followed by Boston Spirit Networking Night
🎟 Tickets: $75 + fees - includes admission to Networking Night
(PIOW sponsor members receive a $25 discount. Promo code shared separately)
This exclusive pre-event gathering is designed for ERG leaders, DEI professionals, and workplace inclusion advocates to connect, share best practices, and strengthen their impact.
After the summit, attendees will join the main networking event and keynote panel, where 1,000+ LGBTQ+ professionals and allies will come together for an evening of networking and inspiration.
⚡Capacity is limited to 100 — register now to guarantee your spot!
We can't wait to see you there!
Annual PIOW Pride Networking Mixer - June 5
Join us for our annual PIOW Pride Networking Mixer on June 5 at Hogan Lovells. The event will take place from 5:30-8pm on Thursday, June 5. We can't wait to celebrate with you in person! We expect this event to be very popular and will likely have a waitlist, so don't wait to sign up! RSVP with the button or QR code below.
We’re thrilled to introduce four incredible new members to the Pride in Our Workplace Board of Directors! Each brings unique experience, insight, and a deep commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion. Their leadership will help guide PIOW’s strategic direction, expand our impact, and strengthen our ability to serve the LGBTQ+ professional community. We’re excited for you to meet them and to see the powerful work we’ll accomplish together. Click on names for full bio.
We’re proud to welcome Foley Hoag LLP and the City of Boston as our newest PIOW sponsors! Their support underscores a shared commitment to building inclusive, affirming workplaces for LGBTQ+ professionals across Greater Boston. With their partnership, we’re continuing to grow a powerful network of organizations driving real change and leading with Pride.
We’re excited to collaborate—and grateful for their leadership in this critical work.
Community Events
Big Queer Food Fest
Hopefully you saw last month's newsletter that we're partnering with Big Queer Food Fest, a first-of-its-kind, multi-day celebration of LGBTQIA+ chefs, mixologists, food writers, and food lovers. The Grand Tasting, presented by Food Network is happening this weekend!
It’s a high-energy, indoor/outdoor springtime block party-style celebration at High Street Place. Featuring unlimited bites and sample sips from over two dozen queer chefs, winemakers, distillers, and culinary creatives, from Boston and around the country. This is the season’s can’t-miss event.
Fierce & trailblazing chef talent includes Jon Kung, Karen Akunowicz, Zac Young, Tatiana Rosana, Rick Martinez, Robert Gonzalez, Arnold Myint, Renee Touponce, Kareem Queeman, plus bites by Tiffani Faison, and many more!
Expect DJ sets, cocktails, delicious food, and fun community vibes — plus guest appearances by Rupaul’s Drag Race royalty Raja, Willam, Miz Cracker & Jujubee.
The PIOW community gets $25 off early admission ticketswith code PIOWBQFF.
Empowering LGBTQ+ Professionals: Navigating Uncertainty and Building Resilience - May 14, 1pm
Gavin Alexander, from PIOW's Board of Directors, will be one of the featured speakers on this program of great relevance to the PIOW community, designed to help LGBTQ+ professionals navigate today’s rapidly evolving workplace landscapes.
From healthcare to law, media to business, LGBTQ+ professionals face unique challenges. This critical conversation will deliver real-world strategies to meet the moment and drive lasting change.
Boston City Councilor At-Large Henry Santana's office has invited the community to join a special Pride Celebration at Boston City Hall on Wednesday, June 4th from 10am to 2pm. PIOW is one of over 30 organizations co-hosting this event, along with a number of our community partners. Check here for more details and join us there.
Community Partners
Community Partner Announcements Check out the latest information and upcoming events
BLU’s Mentorship Program is ongoing and actively connecting BIPOC LGBTQ+ youth with affirming mentors for support, growth and empowerment. Click here to read our Mentorship Newsletter and apply today!
Massachusetts Asian & Pacific Islanders (MAP) For Health - Please join for the Health Equity And Resources for the Trans Community (HEART) Conference on June 21 from 10-6 at Fenway Health. Learn about inclusive care and related resources via workshops, panels, networking, drag performances, and much more! The event is free, but space is limited, so sign up today!
Gay & Lesbian Review - We welcome our new community partner G&LR. You can preview their latest issue here.
Greater Boston PFLAG
🏳️⚧️ Including Trans Athletes: A Conversation with Katie Barnes and Chris Mosier - Join us for a timely and thoughtful webinar on May 15 at 7pm, exploring the inclusion of transgender and non-binary youth in athletics. Designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and allies, this free event will provide actionable insights for supporting young people with compassion and clarity
Join us for our Annual Pride Month LGBTQ+ Job Fair on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 from 3:00 PM–6:00 PM at Suffolk University, 120 Tremont Street, Boston, MA
The Chamber is hosting their 1st Annual Golf Outing on Friday, June 27 at Green Hill Golf Course in Worcester. You can choose to golf, or just join for lunch/networking with DJ and Drag Performers. Sounds like a blast!
Join GLAD Law’s 2025 Lincoln House Partyon June 1 for this special afternoon of community and resistance and get exclusive updates about GLAD Law’s efforts in Massachusetts and nationwide.
Attend Red Sox Pride Nightwith GLAD Law on Monday June 9. Pre-Game Social at 6:00pm and First Pitch at 7:10pm. Tickets include a Red Sox Pride hat. VIP packages include Red Sox Pride hat and a limited-edition Red Sox replica jersey in Pride colors!
Verna Felton - Celebrate your Mom in style by coming to "Mother Knows Best: A Mother's Day Drag Brunch Fundraiser for Verna Felton"! Join us on Sunday, May 11 at Blend for a fabulous event celebrating all the amazing moms out there. Sit back, relax and indulge in a fabulous brunch, refreshing cocktails and enjoy entertaining performances by the most talented drag queens in Boston.
The History Project
Join How to Do Queer History, , a three-part skill-building course designed to empower participants with the tools to uncover, document, and share LGBTQIA2S+ history.
Interested in volunteering? Fill out our volunteer form.
YW Boston
YW Boston’s Academy of Women Achievers (AWA) Luncheon will be held Tuesday, June 17 from 11:30-1:30 at the Westin Copley Place. AWA is our largest annual fundraiser; it supports crucial work to build a more inclusive Boston, where women, people of color, and especially women of color can thrive.
ICYMI - YW Boston held a fascinating discussion on Leading with Inclusion: A New Lens on Merit with Vernā Myers and Aba Taylor on April 29th. Check out the replay here.
SpeakOUT - Join SpeakOUT for our annual Appreciation Night celebration at Club Cafe on Tuesday, June 24! During Pride Month, we take the opportunity to thank our speakers and volunteers for the work they do all year long. Plus, we have the great pleasure of announcing our LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship winners. More details to follow!
BAGLY
Join us to March at Massachusetts Youth Pride. Register now!
Heels for Hope - Join BAGLY’s fiercest fundraiser of the year on Friday, June 6th at PKL Boston for an unforgettable evening of drinks, drag, dancing, and more, hosted by the incredibly talented Bearnaise Brown! Help fuel programs that uplift, empower, and celebrate LGBTQ+ youth across Massachusetts.
OutstandingLife - The mission of the Outstandinglife.org is to improve the quality of life of LGBTQ older adults. Learn more and join our community here.
Support LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion – Make a Difference Today!
At Pride in Our Workplace (PIOW), we’re building a future where LGBTQ+ professionals can thrive. Through community events, ERG leadership support, and advocacy, we’re driving real change in workplaces across Massachusetts and beyond.
🌈 But we can’t do it without you. Your support helps us expand programming, provide resources, and amplify the voices of those who need it most.
💙 Every donation, big or small, makes an impact. Join us in creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces.
Follow Pride in Our Workplace on social and our website to be the first to see our resources, event updates, and more: LinkedIn. Until next time, stay safe and support each other.
