MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Google Philippines is holding “Pride Conversations,” an annual event first launched in 2020 as part of its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This year’s run, dubbed “Pride Conversations: Championing LGBTQ+ and allies in tech”, puts the spotlight on app and web developers, UX/UI designers, and tech professionals among others to tell inspiring LGBTQ+ success stories and encourage more allies in the local tech industry and beyond.
The online event will take place on June 21 (Tuesday) at 6:00 PM, streamed live on Google Philippines’ Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Joining the conversation are Cristina del Rosario, head of design of fintech company First Circle; Darwin Mariano, Boys’ Lockdown producer and founder of online event solutions platform Ticket2Me; Jolly Estaris, lead for video and media sales of Google Philippines; Maki Gingoyon, co-founder and COO of dating website mytransgenderdate.com; Mark Lacsamana, UI design lead of talent recruitment software PageUp; Mela Habijan, Miss Trans Global 2020; and Sam Rose Cruz, product designer of live streaming and recording app XSplit.
“This year’s Pride Conversations aims to put the spotlight on LGBTQ+ who are making a mark in tech and encourage more allies,” said Mervin Wenke, head of communications and public affairs at Google Philippines. “We’re taking inspiration from how Google has made it a priority to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ and empower them to be themselves, along with measures to ensure that our products, services, and workplace culture are always diverse, inclusive, and LGBTQ+ friendly.”
In 2021 for the 2nd edition of Pride Conversations, Google helped promote small businesses owned by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and organized a digital skilling workshop on social media. The campaign is designed to help them reach more customers online amid the pandemic.
To further support the community, Google collaborated with Food For The Gays–a Quezon City-based cafe owned by an LGBTQ+ couple–to provide the food requirements for the event. To continue this initiative, the company is doing the same this year, and this time with ButterBoy Bakehouse and Commune Cafe. ButterBoy is a local pastry shop run by Hildebrand Demeterio together with his boyfriend, while Commune is a proud ally.
Catch “Pride Conversations: Championing LGBTQ+ and allies in tech” on June 21, 6:00 PM, live on Google Philippines’ Facebook page and YouTube channel.
