Fostering Community & Visibility Through LGBTQ+ Allies ERG in the Philippines

Creating LGBTQ+ visibility and strong allyships can’t be done alone – it takes a team. Emerson is taking a collaborative approach through LGBTQ + Allies Employee Resource Group (ERG) chapters across the globe. These chapters are helping to build relationships and provide support for LGBTQ+ community members. 

Creating a workplace that is accepting, welcoming and inclusive is a top priority for Emerson. This is exactly what Emerson’s Manila LGBTQ + Allies ERG chapter embodies. The ERG is providing resources, hosting events and fostering a community to better support LGBTQ+ communities.

“I am so, so proud of what the ERG has accomplished because externally I have my own focuses in the LGBTQ+ community and I’ve seen how much the ERG at Emerson has done – not just internally but also for some of the CSR activities that we have,” Leo Rey Almero, counsel and data protection officer for Emerson Manila and chapter member, said.

The Manila LGBTQ + Allies ERG hosts a lineup of events during Pride Month and throughout the year. Events include everything from seminars and trainings to parades and pageants.

“One flagship event we have is a pageant that also acts as a fundraising activity to help out not only Emerson but beneficiaries outside of Emerson, such as children with HIV and their families and elderly members of the LGBTQ+ community,” Almero said.

The Manila LGBTQ + Allies ERG chapter is also taking initiative to provide ally trainings for surrounding Asia Pacific chapters. The Allyship training program provides in-depth education for Emerson employees and ERG chapter members on how to be a supportive and active ally for the LGBTQ+ community.

“We are working closely with the Emerson LGBTQ + Allies ERG global board to provide this Allyship training program to other ERG chapters so that members of the LGBTQ+ are properly being represented and have more visibility,” said chapter member Gerald Cruz.

The Manila chapter is focused on creating a robust roster of offerings. Next up is providing social orientation and safe space training at Emerson.

“We want people to be able to freely express themselves and have a safe space at Emerson, so providing an in depth understanding of these topics is one of our goals,” Cruz said.

The Manila chapter takes pride in Emerson’s values and expresses their gratitude for a workplace that accepts and supports their community.

“This is one of the groups where I have experienced Emerson's values firsthand,” said chapter member Kai Pioquinto. “I'm very proud of what they have accomplished and their push for continuous improvement. I have learned so much. At Emerson and our office in Manila, those values are not just posters on the wall.” 

The importance of the global ERGs ripples far beyond the group. It helps create an inclusive environment where every employee is empowered. “Emerson provides a space for employees to grow,” Almero said. “As a manager at Emerson, I'm learning a lot from the ERG. We're not all from the same business units and because of that, we are able to help each other grow personally and as an ERG.” 

The Manila ERG chapter has created a supportive team of individuals helping each other grow in their mission. Each member of the chapter feels a strong sense of belonging and bond with the group due to the community the team has fostered.

“I feel very lucky and privileged that I have a group that I can call home. The feeling of being seen and heard and not having to hide part of yourself,” said Sandy Noche, senior supply chain analytics leader and chapter member.