One of Lime’s foundational values is to create a company where everyone can succeed and thrive while being their authentic selves. Many of our colleagues vividly remember the fear growing up that being openly gay meant a life of rejection and discrimination. While considerable work remains to be done to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, we celebrate the hard-fought gains achieved in countries around the world, and how many more kids today will grow up loved and accepted, unafraid to proudly be their full selves. This is the fuel that keeps us going in the pursuit of true equality.

This progress is only possible because generations of queer activists, oftentimes trans people of color, fought and suffered to demand a world where members of the LGBTQIA+ community can live with greater dignity and pride. That history, and the stories of pioneers who fought for equality, is why we celebrate Pride in June.

At Lime, we’re fortunate to have a thriving Employee Resource Group, Lime Pride, that led a tremendous month of programming, from fireside chats with prominent activists to discuss the discriminatory impacts of certain transportation policies, to panels with LGBTQIA+ veterans, to joyous happy hours, to discussions on how to be better allies in the workplace and beyond. The events were both educational and entertaining, encouraging all employees to not only celebrate the month but also reflect on the challenges and struggles that the LGBTQIA+ community continues to face around the world.

In addition to events for Lime employees, we also partnered with the communities we serve to support Pride celebrations:

In West Hollywood, Lime joined the city-hosted Pride celebration at OUT on Robertson on June 26th. The street-wide event highlighted LGBTQIA+-owned businesses and artists. Lime provided safety tutorials to introduce the community to e-scooters and e-bikes and handed out promotion codes to get residents excited about their first ride when the program launches on July 1st.

In Norfolk, VA, Lime, along with the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation, NFK Cycle Sisters and H.E.R.E., hosted an inclusive Pride Ride, followed by a picnic. We were onsite with scooters and e-bikes, providing lessons to attendees on how-to-ride tutorials to introduce the community to Lime’s vehicles..

In D.C., Lime joined the ANC Rainbow Caucus, GGWash, WABA, members of the Bicycle Advisory Committee and Pedestrian Advisory Committee to host a Rainbow Ride, celebrating queer liberation history on an e-bike and e-scooter tour of historic LGBTQIA+ and Black locations, ending with a call to action for riders.

It’s important for us to take all our learnings from Pride month and continue the work in building not only a company we’re all proud to work but also a world where members of the LGBTQIA+ community can authentically be themselves without fear of discrimination.