IKEA: Championing Change
IKEA Canada Partners With Rainbow Railroad to Safely Relocate At-Risk LGBTQI+ Individuals.
It is in times of adversity that we are called on to demonstrate resilience and strength. For many members of the LGBTQI+ community, that adversity can be a constant battle, each and every day. Luckily, there are streams of support becoming more readily available and accessible to those in need. IKEA Canada recognizes those in search of a nurturing support system and has happily pledged a donation of up to $200,000 toward bettering daily life for at-risk LGBTQI+ individuals. This June, IKEA Canada will be selling a prideful dessert for customers to purchase and enjoy, and 100% of proceeds raised through the “Rainbow Cake Initiative” will directly benefit the Rainbow Railroad, helping to fund emergency relocation, crisis response and other forms of assistance.
IKEA Canada deliberately chose June, Pride Month, as the occasion to provide customers, as well as its own associates, with positive opportunities to learn more about the organization and the injustices that many LGBTQI+ individuals face around the world.
“While Pride Month is a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ rights and diversity, it is also a reminder of the progress still to be made as many continue to experience social exclusion simply based on who they are,” says Selwyn Crittendon, IKEA Canada CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer. “This initiative gives our communities a chance to make a positive impact by donating through the purchase of the IKEA Rainbow cake, listening to the stories of those being affected, and getting involved in other ways, like volunteering with Rainbow Railroad.”
IKEA has long championed the cause of ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and provided with equal opportunities regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Through our resettlement and direct support programs, Rainbow Railroad is helping LGBTQI+ refugees escape severe threats to their well-being and relocate to safer countries. Thanks to the leadership of IKEA, this year we will help approximately 500 LGBTQI+ refugees begin new lives in Canada, where they can live openly and authentically — more than double the number of people we help bring to Canada in a typical year. Together, we are making a difference for the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQI+ communities,” says Scott Ferguson, Rainbow Railroad’s director of corporate partnerships.
This year, IKEA Canada reaffirms its commitment to the 2SLGBTQ+ community by continuing to support Pride parades, donating proceeds from Storstomma shopping bags to local 2SLGBTQ+ organizations and collaborating with partners like Pride at Work Canada and the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. These efforts, including fostering inclusive workplaces and providing safe spaces for co-workers through initiatives like the Rainbow Connections Co-worker Resource Group, underscore IKEA’s dedication to creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected and valued.
