Alcoa out and about with Pride

Alcoa employees celebrate LGBTIQ+ inclusion at the annual Pride Parade in Perth.

Dressed in high-vis and hard hats, drenched with glitter and proudly flying a rainbow flag —there was no missing the flock of energetic Alcoa allies marching in the Perth Pride Parade last week in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community.
 
Thousands turned out for Pride WA’s annual festivities along the streets of Northbridge on 30 November including members of Alcoa’s network group Employees at Alcoa for Gay, Lesbian, bisexual and transgender Equality (EAGLE).
 
Alcoa’s EAGLE lead, Mark Hodgson, who also heads the Pinjarra Alumina Refinery, said the event had grown bigger and better over the six years the company had participated.
 
"We were proud to march alongside members of the LGBTI community and allies from hundreds of business and community groups in a fabulous and very public display of support and celebration,” Mark said. “It’s my wish that everyone, regardless of their sexual identification or orientation, can come to work and feel safe, equal and valued for who they are and the diversity of ideas and experiences they bring.” 
 
Mark said he had an epiphany late in his career which set him on the path to champion diversity and LGBTI inclusion in traditionally male-dominated mining and industrial work environments. "I’m truly humbled by the many stories I’ve heard of the difference that putting LGBTI inclusion on the agenda has made to Alcoa’s employees, their families and friends," Mark said. Earlier this year, Alcoa was acknowledged as a Silver Tier Employer and leading resources company under the Australian Workplace Equality Index program, the national benchmark for LGBTI workplace inclusion. 
 
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Media contact:  Cheri Tiglias, Corporate Affairs and Communications Advisor, cheri.tiglias@alcoa.com