São Paulo – Accor, a global leader in hospitality, and the Fórum de Empresas e Direitos LGBTI+ (LGBTI+ Business and Rights Forum), a business movement that brings together large companies around 10 Commitments to the promotion of LGBTI+ human rights, promoted the event “Together for the Eradication of LGBTI+ phobia” on Friday, May 16, in São Paulo. Led by TchaKa Drag Queen, and held on the eve of the International Day to Combat LGBTI+ phobia, May 17, the meeting brought together public authorities, representatives of large companies, experts and civil society organizations to discuss concrete paths towards more diverse, safe and welcoming environments.
The program covered topics such as the limits of what can no longer be tolerated, the challenges faced by LGBTI+ people in the job market and hospitality as a tool for inclusion.
During the opening ceremony, Antonietta Varlese, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Communications at Accor Americas, reinforced the company’s commitment to the subject: We understand that welcoming and respecting differences is essential to creating memorable experiences and safe environments, both for our customers and our employees. After all, hospitality is about people. We are committed to promoting a culture of respect and appreciation for diversity, strengthening efforts to ensure that LGBTI+ people have their human rights fully recognized and guaranteed in society.
The first conversation, “Panel with CEOs – Let’s change what we can no longer tolerate”, was led by Caio Magri, President of the Ethos Institute, and Reinaldo Bulgarelli, Executive Secretary of the LGBTI+ Forum. The debate was attended by executives such as Thomas Dubaere, CEO of Accor Americas; Rodolfo Eschenbach, President of Accenture in Latin America; Rogerio Barreira, President of the Brazil Division of Arcos Dourados; and Elayne Correa, General Director of Saint Gobain PPL.
At the opening, Bulgarelli reinforced the importance of the event to mobilise leaders and members of the industry to create inclusive, safe and respectful environments for all people: This event allows us to work together with our signatories to promote truly inclusive practices in large corporations. The practice of discriminating against LGBTI+ people needs to be eradicated. We can and must promote a safe and healthy environment for everyone
, said Bulgarelli.
Also present at the event was Raphael Calumby, Coordinator of Policies for Sexual Diversity – Secretariat of Justice and Citizenship of the State of São Paulo, who emphasized the fight against prejudice, as well as the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) actions in companies and in society so that all people can feel included. And Regina Célia Silveira, Municipal Secretary of Human Rights and Citizenship of the City of São Paulo, who emphasized the relevance of the presence of the LGBTI+ Forum in Brazil and the constant fight for spaces that need to be increasingly occupied within the Secretariat and organizations by diverse people, emphasized the care and support needed for people from the LGBTI+ community in situations of vulnerability and called on companies to join forces with the Secretariat of Justice and Citizenship of the State of São Paulo to develop social and economic development proposals to eradicate prejudice.
The program continued with two more panels. The second, “I, LGBTI+, in the workplace”, brought together representatives from initiatives such as the UNHCR Refugee Business Forum, the Social Inclusion Business Network, the Generations and Future of Work Forum, the Voluntary Board of the Women’s Movement 360, the Business Initiative for Racial Equality and the LGBTI+ Business and Rights Forum. In the second meeting of the day, Reinaldo emphasized the spaces that Brazil can occupy in advancing DEI practices. The panel brought debates about the fundamental role of leadership as a bridge for positive transformation against discrimination, including the American vs. Brazilian political-economic context regarding the need for quotas to include people with disabilities and black people in universities and the workplace.
The last meeting of the day, “The art of hospitality: Welcoming LGBTI+ travellers” featured Ricardo Gomes, President of the Brazilian LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Cesar Ferragi, Adjunct Professor in the Tourism Course at UFSCar, Bruno Chateaubriand, Journalist and former gymnast, and Jorge Souza, Marketing Director at Orinter.
About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group
Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,600 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing around 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. ALL, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor’s mission is reflected in the Group’s purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
