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ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — This year, Unilever is sponsoring 2019 WorldPride in New York City, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and WorldPride, to celebrate the progress made by the LGBTQIA+ community. However, a number of issues still affect the community at large including the representation of trans people and people of color in media, youth homelessness, healthcare and counseling services, victimization and life expectancy. The statistics are staggering:
- 36% of trans people reported that media representations of trans people had precipitated negative reactions from their family or friends.
- The average life expectancy of a trans woman of color is 35.
- 1 in 4 pre-teen suicides may be LGBTQIA+ youth.
- As reported by the LGBT Homeless Youth Provider Survey, 68% indicate family rejection as a major factor contributing to LGBTQIA+ youth homelessness.
- According to the American Journal of Public Health, each episode of LGBTQIA+ victimization such as physical or verbal harassment or abuse, increases the likelihood of self-harming behavior 2.5 times.
As a corporate ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, Unilever remains committed to championing equality, unity, fairness and respect within and beyond its business. Today, the company is launching “United We Stand,” a Pride campaign that turns over the reins of its WorldPride sponsorship to six New York based organizations and six people at the forefront of communicating LGBTQIA+ culture to highlight the issues that merit decisive action.
“It is our privilege to provide a platform to the organizations that are on the front line of assisting with these important issues. The six allies we are partnering with for the United We Stand campaign work tirelessly to bring about equality and well-being to the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Mita Mallick, head of diversity and cross-cultural marketing at Unilever North America. “Acceptance and inclusion of the uniqueness of every individual is at the heart of our business. Through our partnership this Pride, we hope to galvanize a new wave of support for each of these organizations to continue in their important work of advocacy, support and education within the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond.”
