Perfect event planning is more than just finding an unforgettable venue, stunning accommodations and restaurants galore to wine and dine your attendees. It’s about going that extra mile to make sure everyone feels welcome and included, no matter their sexual orientation, their gender identity, their creed or their colour.
Here’s a check-list to make sure all your attendees feel right at home.
Book diverse speakers
We all know diverse speakers are a must for any public event today — and it’s high time, too. This applies to race, age, gender and other dimensions of diversity. Do you have cisgender speakers? Great! Do you have trans or non-binary or gender non-conforming speakers? Wonderful! The more diverse the profiles, the richer the diversity of perspectives for your audience to glean insight from, as well.
Display the rainbow
One of the best ways to properly welcome LGBTQ+ attendees is by respectfully and appropriately including the rainbow flag in your event. As an internationally-recognized symbol, its inclusion will immediately communicate that your event is a safe space.
Use gender-neutral language
In the communication for your event, ensure that the language you are using does not assume gender. When addressing a group, for example, ensure your speakers don’t start by saying “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” Instead, suggest they say, “Good evening, everyone.” When introducing a speaker, avoid using “she” or “he” unless you have received clear directives on their preference. Instead, use their name: “Sarah has achieved great things.”
Hire explicitly inclusive suppliers
For a bold statement toward inclusivity, there’s no better than seeking out partners that have inclusion at the heart of their business models. The HRC Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index shares a list of employers that are committed to implementing LGBTQ+-inclusive policies and practices.
Accommodate everyone
All-access washrooms, now the norm in newly designed restaurants and public spaces in Montréal, avoid awkward co-mingling and rather just provide separate stalls for everyone, no matter where they are on the gender spectrum. Most venues understand this and can adapt their existing facilities to your specifications. If only binary bathrooms are available, work with your host location in posting new signage: something as simple as “urinals and stalls” and “stalls only” instead of “men’s” and “women's” is a small change your attendees will appreciate.
Share the love
Ensure to foster diversity from within your organization — an effort that will be quickly noticed by your LGBTQ+ attendees. And there’s no better way to let your guests know the lay of the land than by sharing knowledge of the city’s LGBTQ+ history and events. Montréal’s LGBTQ+ Village is North America’s oldest and largest, and within walking distance from the city’s rainbow-coloured conference centre, the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
Read this next: Montréal: City of diversity, equality and inclusion
