Google Philippines recently hosted “Pride Conversations” as part of the Pride Month, which was live-streamed on its YouTube channel.

Taking part in the discussion were Antipolo City Barangay Councilor Kristine Ibardolaza, aesthetic surgery fellow Dr. Berry Beriña, motorcycle enthusiast and vlogger Gaki Azurin (“GakiMoto), comedian, host, and YouTube creator Mikey Bustos, and Google Philippines program manager Melai Lopez.

“Google is always committed to diversity and equality. We deliver on this goal in a number of ways from sustaining an inclusive workplace, to providing grants, to helping continue important discussions through events such as ‘Pride Conversations’. Through this campaign, we hope to celebrate the inspiring stories and honor the valuable contributions of our LGBTQ+ community,” said Mervin Wenke, Communications and PR head for Google Philippines.

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Google believes in fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where LGBTQ+ employees are respected, celebrated, and empowered. Aside from cultivating a culture that is both inclusive and empowering, Google also offers benefits for Google’s LGBTQ+ employees around the world.

• Same-sex health benefits: Google is committed to and provides same-sex health coverage for Googlers and their partners.
• Employee assistance program: Google offers free emotional wellbeing support, 24/7, 365 days for Googlers and their dependents, as well as access to free expert information on legal, financial, and other topics. These services are confidential.
• Parental leave. A non-birth parent has at least 12 weeks of paid parental leave to spend with a new child (any parent who has a child born or adopted).
• A ramp-back policy to help a non-birth parent transition back to work after a long leave is available.

Googlers also have the freedom of establishing their preferred pronouns (he, she, xe, they) so colleagues will know how to best address an LGBTQ+ employee in the workplace to show inclusion and respect.

“At Google, the use of preferred pronouns lives beyond work profiles and email signatures. Before a meeting begins, we may ask each other our preferred pronouns to address our colleagues accordingly and show respect. This demonstrates that LGBTQ+ employees are important and are always included in the discussion,” said Lopez. “Google encourages us to form and participate in employee resource groups like Pride@Google. With this, I am able to use my voice to spark necessary conversations in the company and to contribute to the external LGBTQ+ community through high-impact programs and initiatives.”