Diversity Now! The boycott question
Rory Archibald, founder of New Intent, reveals why boycotts are sometimes the only way to remain true to your DEI values.
Values are something that consciously or unconsciously direct all our lives. They influence our decisions, where we shop, who we travel with, who we are friends with, and who we work for.
The corporate world has known this for years, and many organisations embrace their values that set out how they wish to be understood by the public. Often, these go further into a complete corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy to showcase that a company not only cares about profit but the communities they work in and the planet they share.
The same goes for events. It could be the PCO, the association, or the end client; most will have values they promote to show how their organisation contributes to society. Having these values or a CSR policy is all well and good; however, if the organisation is not projecting these in the way they operate and how their teams work, the risk of being branded as #DEIWashing is great. Not only is that a PR disaster, but it’s also a challenging label to shift – think tattoo removal; it will be a long, painful process.
Rory Archibald, founder, New Intent
Rory Archibald, founder, New Intent
So, where does boycotting fit into all of this?
Our industry generally does not support boycotts. PCMA, Destinations International, and ICCA, to name but a few, have all adopted this stance. To a certain degree, New Intent agrees. Business events encourage dialogue and unite people to discuss differences and find common ground. As PCMA says, “business events provide an essential platform to foster dialogue and work towards a position that is effective, rather than detrimental for so many.” The argument adds that boycotts can be harmful to our industry. Where destinations are boycotted, it harms our fellow events colleagues and could put jobs at risk.
These statements tend to be about the actions of state governments in the United States around women’s rights and the LGBTQIA+ community. In these cases, events can highlight these issues, invite policymakers to roundtable discussions, and use the event to advocate and champion change and a more just society. Crucially, all of this can be done without fear or repercussions, without fear of putting the event, the speakers, the audience, or yourself in danger.
Danger. Safety. This is where the question of whether to boycott becomes far more crucial.
In 2024, a significant industry event will take its congress to a destination that ‘criminalises same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. The gender expression of trans people is also criminalised. Sentences include a maximum penalty of death. There is evidence of the law being enforced in recent years, and LGBT people are subjected to discrimination and violence.’
Dangerous
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I will not be attending and have communicated my disappointment with such a destination being selected. This is no longer about fostering dialogue, as that would be illegal in this destination. The hard facts are that an event cannot address these human rights violations in this kind of destination as the event would not go ahead.
The organisation hosting is asking members of the LGBTQIA+ community in our industry to put themselves in danger to attend this annual congress. Here, a general stance on not boycotting is ignorant and dangerous. It not only excludes a large percentage of our industry, but its throws into question how seriously the host organisation takes diversity, equity, and inclusion, its values, and risks being labeled #DEIWashing.
Photo by Carlos de Toro @carlosdetoro on Unsplash
Photo by Carlos de Toro @carlosdetoro on Unsplash
These are complicated issues, and no one has the answer to keep everyone happy. New Intent does not support a general ‘no boycott’ stance. Each organisation needs to examine what is important to them and how they wish to be perceived.
Where change can be made and open dialogue conducted, then go and make a difference. Where there is a potential to put attendees in danger, think hard.
DEI is at the heart of everything we do, how we treat others, how we wish to be treated, how we combat climate change, and how we advocate for justice. Never compromise your DEI values.
Built with Shorthand