Beauty has no boundaries—and while Estée Lauder proudly supports the LGBTQIA+ community all year long, Pride Month is a time to celebrate and highlight what this time is all about: the people that make the community what it is.
This Pride Month, hear from Estée Lauder employees and members of the LGBTQIA+ community on what Pride means to them.
Kristyn
What makes you feel proud to be part of our brand’s LGBTQIA+ community?
I don’t know that I’ve ever been at a company that has embraced the LGBTQIA+ community as unequivocally as Estée Lauder. It’s a very safe space.
How do you envision the future of LGBTQIA+ representation within the beauty industry?
Beauty is one of the first areas that has pushed into expanding around the LGBTQIA+ community. Makeup and skincare are for everyone and the more the industry continues to embrace everyone, the more everyone gets to feel seen and understood.
Louis
What does Pride mean to you?
For me, Pride is about more than just celebrating individuality, diversity and queer culture. Those things are important and should be celebrated, but Pride is also about looking back on the history of the struggle for queer rights. as well as exploring and understanding the Stonewall Riots and the cultural climate that precipitated that event.
For me, Pride is, as its core, about resistance. We need to pass these stories down to the younger members of our community, so they know where we came from and how we fought and continue to fight for equal rights. As we all move forward together, looking back helps us strengthen our resolve by learning from the past.
Lily
What are important experiences that contribute to a sense of pride and belonging?
Having a group of people who can relate to all the same things you can, it means more to me than anything else. I would be nowhere without my friends; I genuinely can’t put into words how much I love having them in my life. I’m extremely proud to know these people. They have taught me so much and welcomed me into the community with such open arms. Whether it was helping me through my coming-out journey or making sure I had a place to celebrate my first pride, there was never judgement or hesitation, just a whole lot of love.
How do you envision the future of LGBTQIA+ representation within the beauty industry?
I would love to see the industry go more in the direction of artistry and self-expression. Beauty is such an individual experience; it really is different for everyone, with different preferences and needs. I would love to see the industry embrace that a bit more. More education and more accessibility. I believe the industry is doing a good job of offering more options to all people, but I believe we can keep pushing further. I want to see the industry be approachable and accessible to everyone who wants a chance to explore it.
Eduardo
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride to me means the freedom to embrace and express my authentic self. It’s a celebration that validates LGBTQIA+ existence and our countless contributions to society.
What makes you feel proud to be part of our brand’s LGBTQIA+ community?
I am proud to be part of a team dedicated to celebrating diversity. Here, I am encouraged to bring my full self and intersecting identities to the table where my voice is not only celebrated but also heard. Together, we strive toward fostering a more inclusive present and future.
Ben
What are important experiences that contribute to a sense of pride and belonging?
Whether it be at the workplace or beyond, I believe it’s essential that we hold a space for one another and listen to the unique experiences of others. I am grateful that so many of my queer and ally peers share this belief.
How do you envision the future of LGBTQIA+ representation within the beauty industry?
I am excited for a more inclusive future within the beauty industry where cosmetic products aren’t gendered, and models of all walks, and therein the consumers they are made for are heard and represented.
Chandley
What does Pride mean to you?
To me, pride represents a celebration of love and acceptance for all 365 days a year—not just in June.
What makes you feel proud to be part of our brand’s LGBTQIA+ community?
I am proud to be part of the LGBTQIA+ Community at Estée Lauder because our company creates a welcoming space where I can be my true self. I am proud to work alongside employees who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies who accept my community and want to actively get involved.
Romelle
What does Pride mean to you?
To me, Pride is loving yourself and having the courage to showcase your authentic self to everyone that you meet.
What makes you feel proud to be part of our brand’s LGBTQIA+ community?
Seeing members of the community, leaders and mentors contributes to my pride in this brand, affirming that this is a place where your opportunities are not limited.
Jean Yves
How do you envision the future of LGBTQIA+ representation within the beauty industry?
Great progress has been made when it comes to LGBTQIA+ representation within the beauty industry, especially thanks to the proliferation of social media and platforms like TikTok. Going forward, I think consumers will look for brands with more authentic representation of who they are, beauty brands that expand their product lines to cater to a wider spectrum of gender identities and expressions, and brands that support LGBTQIA+ causes.
In other words, the future of LGBTQIA+ representation within the beauty industry holds promise for greater inclusivity, authenticity, and empowerment.
What makes you feel proud to be part of our brand’s LGBTQIA+ community?
I am proud that I get to work and connect with amazing people who think differently and lead with empathy, courage and positive thinking.
