Unique marketplace for LGBTI workers

Asia’s largest job fair, ‘Reimagining Inclusion for Social Equity’ (RISE) was held in New Delhi over the weekend, in its second edition, the fair saw more than thousands of participants, more than the first one that was held in Bengaluru in 2019.

RISE, a flagship of Pride Circle—India’s premier diversity & inclusion consulting firm with a mission of social equity in India, witnessed a doubling of job applications indicating a growing need among the LGBTI for a place of work where they can be productive and feel socially equal.

Collaborating with FICCI, RISE witnessed more than twenty companies participating, some of which were, Accenture, KPMG, The Lalit Hospitality Group, Uber and HSBC. These companies along with others were present in the job fair to support and encourage LGBTI hiring in their organisations.

Moreover, the job-fair provided a platform to the LGBTI and their allies to engage in a thought-provoking conference, which hosted over forty-six eminent national and international speakers. The conference enlightened the attendees on diversity & inclusion, equity at workplaces, thought-leadership, role-modeling, suggestions for strengthening businesses, among others.

Some of the speakers included veteran industry experts such as Tim E, EVP & managing counsel, International American Express; Olfert De Wit, COO, HSBC Singapore; Dilip Shenoy, secretary-general of FICCI; Leanne Macmillan, director, Global Programmes, Stonewall and Tony Tenicela, Global Leader Marketplace diversity & workforce engagement services, IBM.

Thanking the community and allies for showing tremendous support, Srini Ramaswamy, chief evangelist and co-founder, Pride Circle, says, “We are overwhelmed by the support of the community and allies, our partners, hiring companies and all the attendees. Taking a step closer towards realising the civil rights of the community, RISE has risen as the ‘voice’ of the LGBTI who want social equity through affirmative actions.”

The conference gave an opportunity to everyone present to learn from the experts on various topics through the breakout sessions and masterclasses which included – financial literacy for the existing and interested LGBTI entrepreneurs, resume building, interview skills, among others.

The RISE’s marketplace also saw 16 micro, small and medium-sized LGBTI owned businesses displaying their products and services in the areas of bakery, merchandise, travel & tourism.