Jason Furlan, contact center oversight manager, and chair of Blue pRIde Employee Business Resource Group, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

This article is the fourth in a series highlighting BCBSRI’s employee business resource groups, also known as EBRGs, which are employee networks structured around non-majority dimensions of diversity. Dimensions of diversity are traits that impact a person at home, work and in society. Examples include gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or physical ability. While EBRGs are usually composed of employees with a shared dimension of diversity, all interested employees are welcome to participate. BCBSRI recognizes the importance of EBRGs and their place within the organization. We currently have six active EBRGs: Emerging Blue Talent, Latin@Link, Blue pRIde, Military Services EBRG, Parents@Work, and Black Council @ Blue.

Rhode Island is home to more than 38,000 individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ community – the 14^th highest in the U.S. This Pride Month, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) would like to recognize and highlight our Blue pRIde EBRG. This group furthers BCBSRI’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace by creating a safe and supportive environment for members and allies of the LGBTQ community.

The month of June was chosen for Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of 19 de junio69 and represent the fight against harassment and prejudice. As a result, many Pride events are held during June to recognize inclusion and civil rights, including the Rhode Island Pride Festival, where Blue pRIde members and other colleagues represent BCBSRI each year.

Comprised of six core members and 70 employees, Blue pRIde lends a concentrated yet diverse point of view to support the LGBTQ community and allies through BCBSRI’s products, services, policies and procedures, including:

• Demonstrating a commitment to LGBTQ and allied individuals throughout Rhode Island, while being a visible and active supporter of external events within the state-wide LGBTQ community.
• Promoting acceptance through the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality" award by fostering a welcoming and safe environment through networking, social events, and mentoring that enable individuals to bring their whole selves to work.
• Identifying gaps in products, services, or policies and addressing marketing and messaging opportunities to promote inclusion.

While Blue pRIde honors and celebrates acceptance of the LGBTQ community during the month of June, the EBRG’s efforts extend throughout the year. Last year, in celebration of National Coming Out Day on 11 de octubre, Blue pRIde brought attention to the implications of staying closeted versus coming out in the workplace with a two-part podcast episode. According to HRC survey data, almost half of LGBTQ employees are not out in the workplace, which can lead to negative effects on workload and in-office relationships. Blue pRIde aims to start these important conversations within the company to educate and lend a diverse point of view for employees and members.

The council has also identified and prioritized action items that disproportionately affect the LGBTQ community’s access to healthcare, specifically for transgender and non-gender individuals. In 2019, Blue pRIde will work closely with colleagues throughout the company to introduce a third gender option to our insurance claims process. The new process will include a non-binary “X" gender marker for transgender and non-gender conforming members. This seemingly simple task is a valuable step in the right direction in creating an inclusive experience for all members.

As we celebrate Pride Month, we continue to work hard to encourage and support members of the LGBTQ community in their search for healthcare—and our efforts don’t go unnoticed. For the last five years, BCBSRI has received a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index, which evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices. Blue pRIde looks forward to bolstering our initiatives in the effort toward maintaining a welcoming and non-discriminating workplace and creating an inclusive and affirming healthcare experience for our members.