Business

Celebrating Mumbai Queer Azadi Month: A Journey of Awareness, Inclusion, and Allyship

As part of Mumbai Queer Azadi Month, we reinforced our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community through education, engagement, and celebration, creating a workplace where people can be their authentic selves.

A group of cheerful people smiling and holding Rainbow flags, along with a banner that reads "Love is Love," featuring the GeneralMills logo in the top left corner. The scene depicts a celebration for the Mumbai Queer Azadi Month.

At General Mills, we believe that true inclusion isn’t just about words—it’s about meaningful actions, policies that empower, and a culture where everyone belongs. Throughout January, we curated a series of impactful initiatives to foster dialogue, deepen understanding, and strengthen allyship across our teams.

A Month of Learning and Engagement

Awareness Campaign on Inclusive Policies & Pronouns (All of January)
We kicked off the month with an awareness campaign through an informative email series highlighting our inclusive policies, LGBTQ+ benefits, and the importance of pronoun respect. These conversations helped build a more informed and supportive workplace.

Virtual Kashish Film Festival Screenings (13th–25th Jan)
In collaboration with the Kashish Film Festival, we screened powerful LGBTQ+ films that shed light on personal stories, challenges, and triumphs.

Various teams, including FSS, SC, and CMI, hosted in-person watch parties, fostering meaningful discussions and empathy.

Speed Mentoring with LGBTQ+ Members (14th Jan)
We created a unique space for authentic conversations between employees and LGBTQ+ members. These discussions delved into identity, personal journeys, and actionable ways to be better allies. Employees had the opportunity to engage in open conversations, learn firsthand how they can offer meaningful support and be better allies.

Storytelling Contest: Share your Story with Pride (16th–30th Jan)
To encourage self-expression and advocacy, we launched a storytelling contest, inviting employees to share real-life experiences of allyship and inclusion. This initiative highlighted powerful moments of allyship and solidarity.

On-Floor LGBTQ+ Quiz & Pride Walk (28th Jan)
Bringing awareness to everyday interactions, we hosted a floor quiz featuring simple yet impactful questions about the LGBTQ+ community, based on our awareness emailers. The event culminated in a mini Pride Walk inside the office, where employees celebrated diversity with enthusiasm, color, and unity.

Live Play on LGBTQ+ Struggles & Workplace Inclusion (30th Jan)
One of the most moving moments of the month was a live theatrical performance by LGBTQ+ members, showcasing their personal struggles and the importance of creating a workplace that serves as an extended family—‘The Chosen Family.’ The play reinforced how each of us can contribute to making our workplace a safer and more inclusive space.

Pride March at Azad Kranti Maidan (1st Feb)
To conclude the celebrations and take our commitment beyond the workplace, a group of employees participated in Mumbai’s Pride March, standing in solidarity with the community.

More Than a Celebration—A Commitment to Inclusion

Mumbai Queer Azadi Month was not just about events; it was about reaffirming our commitment to a workplace where diversity is celebrated, voices are heard, and allyship is action-driven. Through education, engagement, and participation, we continue to foster an inclusive culture that reflects our core values of respect, acceptance, and belonging.

Moving forward, we are working to sustain this momentum—because allyship isn’t just about one month, it’s a daily practice of respect, inclusion, and belonging.

#YouBeYou #PrideAtGeneralMills #LGBTQInclusion #StrongerTogether #MumbaiPrideMonth #QueerAzaadiMonth