Inclusive Holiday Parties for the LGBTQIA+ Community

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and loved ones. They're a time to come together and celebrate. But for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, the holidays can be a difficult and lonely time. This is because many LGBTQIA+ individuals don't have the same support systems as their heterosexual counterparts. This can make holiday parties—which are often hosted by companies—particularly challenging.

However, it doesn't have to be this way. There are steps that companies can take to make their holiday parties more inclusive for the LGBTQIA+ community. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that everyone in your company feels welcome, valued, and included during this festive time of year.

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1. Make sure your venue is inclusive.
The first step to ensuring that your company's holiday party is inclusive for the LGBTQIA+ community is to make sure that your venue is inclusive. This means choosing a location that is safe and welcoming for all guests, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

If you're not sure where to start, there are a few great resources that can help you find inclusive venues in your area:

• The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association
• Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
• The National Business Inclusion Consortium

2. Plan activities that everyone can enjoy.
When it comes to planning activities for your company's holiday party, it's important to choose things that everyone can enjoy—regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This might mean avoiding traditional "Secret Santa" gift exchanges in favor of more general gift exchanges, or planning group activities that don't require participants to pair off into couples.

Here are a few activity ideas that are sure to be inclusive and fun for all:

• A festive holiday scavenger hunt
• A "white elephant" gift exchange
• A holiday-themed trivia game
• A bake-off competition featuring everyone's favorite holiday treats

3. Make sure your decorations are inclusive.
When decorating for your company's holiday party, it's important to use inclusive language and imagery. This means avoiding heteronormative phrases like "Merry Christmas" or "Happy New Year" in favor of more general greetings like "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays." It also means avoiding decorations that feature exclusively heterosexual couples or families—such as Santa Claus with his wife Mrs. Claus, or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with his girlfriend Clarice. Instead, opt for decorations that feature diverse groups of people or animals, or that focus on nature or abstract concepts like love and joy. By doing this, you'll send a clear message that everyone is welcome at your company's holiday party.

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Planning an inclusive holiday party for the LGBTQIA+ community doesn't have to be difficult—and it shouldn't be! By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that everyone in your company feels welcome, valued, and included during this festive time of year. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!