On the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), IKEA Slovenia is launching a socially responsible campaign with the slogan "Acceptance starts at home". With a range of activities in the company, they remind us that everyone has the right to a home where they feel welcome and accepted.
The company IKEA Slovenia May 17 marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). On this day, the company traditionally hung a rainbow flag in front of the shop in Ljubljana, and their campaign "Acceptance starts at home" also started. With the campaign, IKEA wants to encourage as many people as possible to create compassionate and inclusive homes and communities that will make life better for the LGBT+ community.
Photo: IKEAThe socially responsible campaign was inspired by research that the company conducted among the younger LGBT+ population in Ljubljana and three other main cities of the IKEA Southeast Europe organization (Zagreb, Belgrade and Bucharest). The research showed that 92 percent of young members of the LGBT+ community in Ljubljana do not feel fully accepted in their family after disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity, and seven percent of them even left their home due to pressure. The IKEA company therefore wants to use the campaign to draw attention to the problems they face.
Photo: IKEA"For us, celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia means advocating for a fairer and more equal world in which everyone feels welcome, respected and valued for who they are. We would like to contribute as an employer, and we also want to support the LGBT+ community. We always strive to create an inclusive work environment where all our employees can express their personality. We offer them training on different identities and challenges faced by members of different minorities. We also want to talk about these problems publicly to inspire others, and this year we are especially committed to embracing diversity in our home environment. We believe that by creating more compassionate and inclusive homes, we can contribute to the development of a better community", he said Cas Lachaert, market manager at IKEA Slovenia.
The company IKEA as part of this year's campaign in cooperation with the association Legebitra organizes a workshop for its employees using the living library method. Members of the association will be available to employees for a conversation, during which they will be able to answer all questions and share their experiences. With such a workshop, they want to encourage better understanding and acceptance of people with different identities.
Photo: IKEAIn addition, IKEA has supported in the past year Pride Parade Society with a financial donation to help implement the Sqvot project, and this year their consultation room was newly equipped.
