More than Pride: Moving Private and Public Stakeholders toward LGBTQ+ Inclusion

28 Oct 2024
As part of Sasin’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive leadership, Sasin recently co-hosted a panel on the 3P Paradigm: Sustainable Impacts Through Pride-Public-Private Partnership. This event, held shortly after Pride Month and the landmark marriage equality bill ceremony in Thailand, brought together key voices from eleven different organizations from across all sectors of society to discuss how government, businesses, and LGBTQ+ actors can turn symbolic support for LGBTQ+ inclusion into real, sustainable, and systemic action. Full List of Panelists and Hosts
  • Thitikhun Petkit, Bangkok Rainbow Organization
  • Vitaya Saeng- Aroon, Director, Diversity in Thailand
  • Nikki Phinyapincha, Founder, Transtalents Consulting Group
  • Nachale Boonyapisomparn, Co-Founder, Thai Transgender Alliance (ThaiTGA),
  • Youth Pride Thailand and Trans Pride Thailand
  • Patricia Duangcham, Co-Founder, GIRLxGIRL
  • Poosit Changkaewmanee, second runner-up, Mr Gay World 2024
  • Salanroj Sutaschuto, Director of Administration Department and Acting Vice President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB
  • Dr. Drew B. Mallory, Professor of Organizational Behavior, Inclusion Ambassador, Sasin School of Management
  • Surang Wongthongdee, Human Resource Officer, Social Development and Human Security at Nonthabri Province
  • Michael Sirikul, EVP Head of People, ChaiXi Corporation
  • Dr. Praweena Kasai, Associate Dean for Planning and Development, Dusit Thani College
Driving Change Through a Multi-Stakeholder Approach The panel, participated by a wide variety of actors from across Thai society, underscored the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach, where businesses, governments, NGOs, and communities collaborate to create lasting change. This strategy ensures that support for LGBTQ+ inclusion isn’t isolated within corporate environments but extends to public spaces, laws, and cultural norms. Sasin’s commitment to building future leaders means preparing them to navigate this complexity and work with diverse partners to drive change across industries and borders. In a brief discussion with Sasin Inclusion Ambassador Dr. Drew B. Mallory and Vitaya Saeng-Aroon, Director of Diversity in Thailand, highlighted how embracing this approach is essential for Sasin’s future business leaders. His thoughts on the role of collaboration and inclusivity in leadership can be viewed in the video below. Sasin’s Contribution: The Inclusion Toolkit for Organizations and Businesses To provide actionable solutions, Sasin has partnered with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to develop the Inclusion Toolkit for Organizations and Businesses, led by Dr. Drew B. Mallory of Sasin. This resource offers practical steps that businesses can take to foster inclusivity, such as implementing gender-neutral policies and creating accessible work environments. The Toolkit ensures that companies have a roadmap for turning ideals into action, bridging the gap between intentions and results. You can explore the Toolkit here. Other Key Takeaways
  • Managing Across Borders and Cultures: Panelists discussed the complexities of managing campaigns and companies across different regions, particularly in Southeast Asia and Oceania. The cultural and legal differences in these areas present unique challenges, but businesses have a critical role to play in breaking down barriers and promoting equality. Sasin’s programs emphasize the need for global leaders to develop adaptable strategies that respect local nuances while driving international standards of inclusion.
  • Tackling Workplace Discrimination: A powerful takeaway from the discussion was the urgent need to address workplace discrimination. A striking 77% of transgender individuals reported facing job rejection as recently as 2017, highlighting the challenges LGBTQ+ professionals continue to face. The panel explored how businesses can create environments where talent, not gender identity, dictates opportunity. The Inclusion Toolkit provides practical measures for addressing these issues, including revising recruitment and retention policies to ensure diversity at all levels of the organization.
  • Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusivity in Public Spaces: Beyond the workplace, the panel also examined how businesses can ensure that public venues, such as hotels and conference centers, cater to diverse needs, including wheelchair access, prayer rooms, and dietary accommodations. After all, LGBTQI+ individuals, like everyone else, have diverse needs. By considering factors like accessibility, in addition to LGBTQI+ policies, companies can create more inclusive environments that attract a wider customer base and foster a culture of belonging that’s not limited to a particular group. Sasin’s work with the Neurodiversity at Work Research Centre (NWRC) continually explores these issues through research and application and encourages other business leaders to do the same.
This multi-stakeholder approach highlighted by the panel is key to driving inclusive business practices, tad businesses—who are both inclusive and business-savvy. By fostering collaboration, we ensure that future leaders not only embrace diversity but also harness its economic potential, shaping a more equitable and profitable future. For a deeper dive into these strategies and practical tools, watch the Toolkit Launch video on UNDP, Thailand’s YouTube channel, and access the Inclusion Toolkit for Organizations and Businesses here. Sasin remains committed to preparing business leaders who understand that inclusive business practices offer a competitive advantage. Join us as we continue to foster inclusive leadership and drive meaningful change through education. Explore more at Sasin Inclusion.  
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