By U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo

I believe strongly in protecting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and this month has been an opportunity to reflect on the strength, progress, and resiliency of the LGBTQIA+ community. But there is still much work to do. While Pride Month is coming to an end, I encourage everyone to continue to be resilient, embrace diversity, and celebrate everyone’s potential. America’s diversity is truly our greatest asset.

Earlier this month, I was proud to participate in the Department of Commerce’s first-ever raising of a progressive pride flag at the Herbert C. Hoover Building. This flag celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community, including trans and non-binary individuals, and marginalized communities of color. It symbolizes the values of pride, tolerance, and harmony in an environment that enables all employees to perform to their best potential. On June 10, I had the honor of participating in the Sixth annual Point of Pride LGBTQ Inclusive Summit hosted by One Community President Angela Hughey on the state of the LGBTQ+ community, workforce development, equity, and inclusion. As I said during the summit, for our nation to compete, we must celebrate and embrace our diversity. The business community is so fundamentally important to adhering to these core principals and to the fight for equality. People work better if they feel embraced and supported in their jobs and companies are more effective when they welcome diversity. At Commerce, I remain committed to an inclusive and supportive workplace.

Thank you to our LGBTQIA+ employees for your commitment to serving our nation and for your continued advocacy for LGBTQIA+ businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs. In honor of Pride Month, several of the Commerce Department’s many diverse bureaus worked together to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community’s wide range of accomplishments by highlighting leaders who have made a lasting impact in data collection, advocacy, STEM, entrepreneurship, and invention.

Take a moment to read these powerful blogs.

Pride Month: Celebrating an LGBTQIA+ Leader in Data Collection and Advocacy

Pride Month:  Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Inventors and Entrepreneurs

Pride Month: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Leaders in STEM and Diversity

Please also see some of the outstanding LGBTQIA+ employees highlighted this month in our spotlight series.