core/group

core/image

core/heading

Since the beginning, our partners (employees) have informed and inspired our allyship with the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

core/paragraph

core/gallery

1988: Full health benefits for eligible full- and part-time employees, including coverage for same-sex domestic partners, is offered at Starbucks Canada.

2007: Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines are issued at Starbucks Canada to support partners who are transgender or considering transitioning to promote understanding of fair and equitable treatment of transgender and gender-diverse partners.

2014: The Pride Network launches in Canada, becoming the first Partner Network in the country.

2015: Starbucks updates its technology systems to ensure that documentation in stores reflect a partner’s “known as” name or nickname that is consistent with their gender identity or expression.

2019: Starbucks begins offering expanded fertility benefits beyond adoption expenses and launches a new way for partners to self-identify.

2022: Provides pronoun pins for store partners; adds gender affirmation coverage to partners extended health benefits plan.

core/button

starbucks-blocks/scrolling-content-wrapper

At Starbucks we care for our partners. We create experiences where everyone is welcome and respected. We are at our best when we create safe, inclusive environments for people to connect over coffee.

Truth matters. In response to misinformation, we’re sharing the facts on what Starbucks believes and stands for on <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/starbucks-for-the-record/">Starbucks for the Record</a>.

core/spacer

starbucks-blocks/story-grid

Starbucks support for 2SLGBTQI+ partners and communities - Starbucks Canada

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2024/05/Intersex-inclusive_pride_flag.svg.png

Starbucks Canada

Starbucks support for 2SLGBTQI+ partners and communities

From offering inclusive health coverage, to partner-inspired community investments, to using our voice to advocate in support of equity for the 2SLGBTQI+ community – Starbucks is proud to support and celebrate the 2SLGBTQI+ community every day. Key highlights and progress Since the beginning, our partners (employees) have informed and inspired our allyship with the 2SLGBTQI+ […]

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2024/starbucks-support-for-2slgbtqi-partners-and-communities/

twitter:card

twitter:description

twitter:image

twitter:title

When you visit your local Starbucks this summer, you may notice your barista wearing a specially designed vibrant t-shirt in celebration of Pride.

For the past 3 years ,the Starbucks Canada Pride Network, one of Starbucks oldest and largest partner networks, made up of hundreds of members of the LGBTQ2+ community and their allies, commissions a t-shirt design contest, giving partners (employees) the opportunity to design a t-shirt in celebration of Pride at Starbucks.

This year’s design was created by Starbucks partner Leigh-Anne from Nova Scotia. Leigh-Anne’s design was selected by the Starbucks Canada Pride committee which received over 100 creative submissions from across the country.

In addition to being a 4-year Starbucks partner, Leigh-Anne is an artist, designer and mom of three.

“Creativity is a passion of mine and I always love a t-shirt design challenge,” says Leigh-Anne who found inspiration for the design through the pandemic.

The design, titled "Pride, Far &amp; Wide", features colourful paper planes with a dash of Rewards Stars, surrounding a Starbucks cup.

core/more

“I wanted to create a design that felt like a fun and colourful celebration of Pride, but still acknowledged the fact that we are in a pandemic, and last year most in person celebrations had to be cancelled. I came up with the idea of using the paper plane as a symbol of virtual connection, as it's a common icon used when sending an email or text message. It also represents the fact that most people have been isolated and only able to dream of travelling again someday to celebrate together,” Leigh-Anne says.

“Starbucks has managed to continually connect and uplift people through this past year even if it was simply through a virtual coffee date with friends and loved ones. I included a plane for every colour of the Pride rainbow and I think the design has a hopeful and playful spirit.”

When asked how it feels knowing that partners across the country will be wearing her design, Leigh-Anne says, "It's so exciting to see partners sharing pictures and videos on social media, celebrating Pride in my shirt design! My fellow partners here in Nova Scotia have been wearing the shirts to work and it is wild to see them in real life. I myself usually wear mostly black and grey, but I will be going out of my comfort zone this month to wear that bright orange T!”

On why it was important to take part in the contest, Leigh-Anne says “I would always want my fellow partners and my own kids to feel loved, accepted and valued for exactly who they are.”

As another motivation for entering the contest, Leigh-Anne described that the winning designer was able to select a local charity to receive a small donation. She’s selected a local youth organization in her hometown of Halifax that strives to make the province a happier, healthier and safer place for&nbsp;LGBTQ+ youth by providing support and resources.

Join us as we celebrate the LGBTQ2+ community, hear partners’ (employees) stories of connection and learn how to be an ally.

Starbucks Pride: How one Starbucks partner’s t-shirt design is connecting partners with “Pride, Far &amp; Wide” - Starbucks Canada

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/LeighAnne-Back-of-Shirt-743x1024.jpg

Starbucks Pride: How one Starbucks partner’s t-shirt design is connecting partners with “Pride, Far &amp; Wide”

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2021/starbucks-pride-how-one-starbucks-partners-t-shirt-design-is-connecting-partners-with-pride-far-wide/

Starbucks Pride: How one Starbucks partner’s t-shirt design is connecting partners with “Pride, Far & Wide”

When Star joined Starbucks in 2013, they identified to others as a woman. However, deep within, they never quite felt like they fit into a specific gender.&nbsp; After searching more into their Indigenous culture, Star came out as two-spirit in 2015.

Star describes two-spirit as an Indigenous person with both spirits, male and female, in which they can flow in between.&nbsp;

Star’s path to discovering their two-spirit identity began several years ago and not only took deeper understanding of their Indigenous roots, but also a desire to set a strong example for their kids.

“I teach my children about inclusion by just being understanding and accepting. We don't really require anything, we just accept,” says Star. &nbsp;

Having kids as part of their family was always Star’s dream, but feeling the pressure of growing up in a society where they were taught the ‘right way’ to have a family was to get married, Star got married at a young age and started a family. Star realized early on that things didn’t feel right but found it difficult to share these feelings with others.

As time passed and Star became a parent to seven children, they thought seriously about the example they wanted to set for them.

This was the catalyst for Star opening up to discover more about themself. Through the journey, Star came out as pansexual. They felt that they loved their husband at the time, and it seemed like it made sense, but Star still didn’t feel quite right about it. Star later came out as lesbian, and that also didn’t feel right. As Star explored more about their Indigenous heritage, things became clear.

core/separator

“Learning about my two-spirited identity has helped me understand me. I've never felt quite like a woman or a man, I've always been just me, flowing in between”, says Star.

Star believes there is still little knowledge and understanding of the two-spirit identity and describes coming out to people as challenging and complicated at times, both within and outside of the Indigenous community.&nbsp;

“Before colonialism and residential schools, two-spirited people were looked to as more powerful due to their ability to flow between the sexes and their ability to flow within the spirit world,” says Star.

Star regularly attends virtual meetups with other two-spirit people in their province to connect and learn more about Indigenous cultures, including the historical standing of two-spirit people in Indigenous communities.

“We were looked to as healers and visionaries, as we are able walk within the spirit world, and freely flow between our spirits,” Star continues. “Two-spirited people, who are warriors, hunters, gatherers and everything in-between, they have the ability to possess the gifts of both genders. We are truly the third/fourth gender.”

Learning more about their identity has helped Star build confidence. When Star joined Starbucks,&nbsp; they were shy and reserved, but after moving to their current store, and being surrounded by partners who support and accept them for who they are, they have been able to come out of their shell and build great connections with customers, and was even recently recognized as partner (employee) of the quarter in their district.

“We accept each other for who we are. We are truly our authentic selves, we embrace each other's uniqueness and quirks. Coming into my store is like coming home. Truly having a store where I can walk in and know that my coworkers have my back. If somebody mislabels me, my coworkers correct them.” When asked what they want people to learn from their story, Star says, “I hope that people learn to just respect and accept people for who they are, no matter where they came from. Because at the end of the day we never know what people are going through, so the number one thing is just be kind. Be real and true to yourself and that's all that matters.”

Starbucks Pride: Meet Star (they/them), the barista finding strength in discovering more about their Indigenous and two-spirit identities - Starbucks Canada

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/Star.jpg

Starbucks Pride: Meet Star (they/them), the barista finding strength in discovering more about their Indigenous and two-spirit identities

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2021/starbucks-pride-meet-star-they-them-the-barista-finding-strength-in-discovering-more-about-their-indigenous-and-two-spirit-identities/

Starbucks barista, Tristan met his partner five years ago when they sang in the same choir.

His partner, Shannah, is a woman and he describes the start of their relationship as an “odd situation”.

Before they got together, Tristan identified as gay. Today, Tristan identifies as pansexual: he is attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender identity.

His journey to discovering his pansexual identity began when he was much younger. &nbsp;Tristan knew at a young age that he was attracted to men, but he worried about what that meant for his future as he struggled with religion and sexual identity.

“I was concerned and thought I wouldn’t have children and I wouldn’t be able to get married in the church that I grew up in. I always pictured a suburban home with a white picket fence, so that was my struggle coming out,” he says.&nbsp; He also worried about whether he would be accepted by his family and community, so growing up, he kept his identity to himself. &nbsp;

It wasn’t until he went to college in another city, where he met his then boyfriend, that he made the decision to come out to his family as gay. &nbsp;While he was nervous to share the news with his family , to his relief and surprise, his family accepted and supported him. &nbsp;The challenge was, Tristan still had questions about his own identity.

“When I came out as gay, I knew I was attracted to my boyfriend at the time, but in the back of my mind, I also knew that I was attracted to women. When I expressed this to some of my friends in the queer community, they didn’t understand.”

Some of Tristan’s friends in the community, suggested that his attraction to women was just a phase. Despite knowing that he was attracted to men and women, Tristan felt like he needed to identify one way or the other and so he felt it would be easier to live life as a gay man.

When Tristan met his current partner Shannah, it took time for her to fully understand his feelings and identity and it took time for his friends and family, too. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“I had to come out for a second time this time, but as pansexual,” he says. “In many ways it was harder coming out as pansexual to my friends and family than it was coming out as gay years earlier.”

After coming out for the second time, Tristan lost a couple of friends in the queer community, but he was fortunate to have the acceptance of many, including his family.

Through his journey to discovering his identity, Tristan realized that emotions and feelings can change. Discovering your identity can be a continuous process and things can change throughout your life. He also learned the importance of surrounding yourself with people who are accepting of you. He shared this advice for others who may be in the process of discovering their own identities: “I want people to know that it’s ok to love whoever you want to love and be whoever you want to be. Don’t let people judge or put you into a box.”

Starbucks Pride: Tristan (he/him) shares his journey to self discovery and acceptance - Starbucks Canada

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2021/06/Tristan2.jpg

Starbucks Pride: Tristan (he/him) shares his journey to self discovery and acceptance

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2021/starbucks-pride-tristan-he-him-shares-his-journey-to-self-discovery-and-acceptance/

Growing up, Devon knew he didn’t fit into his assigned gender, so as a teenager, using public washrooms in his city was difficult to navigate. A friend told him that if he needed a washroom to look for a Starbucks because their washrooms were open, safe, and gender neutral. It was the only place he knew he could use the washroom in peace. &nbsp;&nbsp;

As an adult, Devon joined the company as a barista, and eight years later, he is still at Starbucks, now a store manager, and helping to create a sense of warmth, belonging and safety for trans partners and customers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Devon transitioned during his time at Starbucks and describes it as a&nbsp;steady series of steps rather than a big event.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I gradually changed my name, my pronouns, and it was never a secret that I had been saving up for chest surgery for years. My whole life I'd presented as male as I possibly could. I mark starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as my 'transition'. This is the point where I physically started to change in ways that were obvious to anyone looking, and I dropped my tolerance for being addressed with female pronouns.”&nbsp;

Devon made the decision to share the news of his transition with his team at a store meeting not long after starting HRT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I knew my team was amazing, and we already had trans people on staff. It wasn't going to be a surprise to anyone, but even going into a&nbsp;best-case&nbsp;scenario it still made me&nbsp;pretty nervous. The build up to putting myself out there was much worse than actually coming out.”&nbsp;

When Devon talked to his team about his transition, he had a twofold goal in mind. First, as a trans person, he wanted to be supported in ways that were meaningful to him, and second, as a leader, he wanted his team to be clear on what they could talk&nbsp;about&nbsp;and where they should set boundaries, not only for his benefit, but for the benefit of all trans partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“To me, this is how we were all going to be most comfortable. I let my partners know explicitly that they are welcome to disclose my transition to customers who are curious. They can correct my pronouns, especially with regulars, but did not need to take it upon themselves to correct every passing customer who just didn't know better. We also talked about when to end conversations.”&nbsp;

Devon believes that with more visibility comes more understanding, and he has chosen to be to open about his transition to help create safe and welcoming spaces for other trans people.&nbsp;

“I am very fortunate to have a life that allows me to be open about being a transgender person safely. That is still a luxury not afforded to many trans people. If I can make a choice to be visible, and that helps change even one person’s perspective on trans people for the better, I'm going to do it.”&nbsp;

Transphobia is still an everyday reality for many trans people, and there is much work to be done towards acceptance. One thing that has been helpful in supporting partners manage these encounters is Starbucks Third Place Policy, which was&nbsp;introduced in&nbsp;2018.&nbsp;Displayed&nbsp;in Starbucks stores across the&nbsp;country, the Starbucks Third Place Policy, is a set of&nbsp;clear principles that every person in the store will use the space as intended and communicate with respect&nbsp;and empowers partners to stand up against&nbsp;inappropriate behaviour.&nbsp;&nbsp;

““The Third Place Policy&nbsp;been big for partners because this is how we set boundaries and expectations.&nbsp;It gives autonomy to each barista to say no, this is not respectful behaviour, I need you to stop before we continue this transaction.”&nbsp;

Devon believes that Starbucks has laid a groundwork for creating safe environments for trans people, including respecting pronouns and gender identities explicitly in policies, resource pages with information by province, including trans scenarios in harassment training, the availability of branded pronoun pins, and Partner Networks to educate and celebrate LBGTQIA2+ identities.&nbsp;However, he adds that these things only make a difference if every leader applies and upholds them as standards on their team.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As someone who was unwilling to compromise on his identity, having a safe workplace where he is not at a disadvantage because of his gender expression and as a trans person was incredibly important, and he strives to create the same experience for others. &nbsp;Devon’s advice for leaders is to lean into uncomfortable conversations in team environments and to model behaviours of acceptance. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“When you are part of any marginalized group you are constantly assessing the environment around you for indications of safety and acceptance. Inappropriate jokes, turn of phrase, slang, can all be indicators of a less safe environment, and as a leader anything you don't call out, you endorse.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

He also wants leaders of trans partners to know that support can look different for every&nbsp;person, and&nbsp;being collaborative with the person will typically lend the best results. Education and awareness are so critical.&nbsp;

Devon’s first experience with Starbucks, using its gender neutral washrooms as a teenager, highlighted to him that Starbucks was more than just a coffee shop, and throughout his eight years at the company, he can now say that people in our communities come for coffee, washrooms, water, warmth, human connection and so much more.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Join us as we celebrate the LGBT2+ community, hear partners’ (employees) stories of connection and learn how to be an ally.

Starbucks Pride: Meet Devon (he/they), a store manager helping to create safe environments for trans partners and customers - Starbucks Canada

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2021/05/IMG_20210527_185121.jpg

Starbucks Pride: Meet Devon (he/they), a store manager helping to create safe environments for trans partners and customers

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2021/05/IMG_20210527_185121-1024x768.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2021/pride-month-meet-devon-he-they-a-store-manager-helping-to-create-safe-environments-for-trans-partners-and-customers/

“Art’s always that much more special when it’s made by someone in the community.”

This summer, when you pick up your morning coffee or join Pride celebrations in communities across Canada, there’s a good chance you’ll see Starbucks partners (what we call employees) wearing the vibrant tees designed by Toronto partner Jenelle Lewis. Her design was chosen from nearly 50 submissions from partners around the country through a contest coordinated by the Canada Pride Alliance Network, one of Starbucks’ oldest and largest partner networks made up of hundreds of members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. More than 2,500 partners will be wearing their pride on their sleeves throughout the summer.

For Jenelle, the contest was the perfect opportunity to share her love of design, passion for Starbucks and her pride in her identity. “As a queer woman of colour, I needed to contribute to the community. Starbucks contributes to the LGBTQ community so much, so I wanted [my design] to be really special.”

Canada Pride Alliance Network Co-Chairs Steven Snyder and Jeremy Jones had the contest idea two years ago to foster a uniquely Canadian celebration of Pride and the inclusivity it represents. This spring they made it happen. Jeremy was amazed by the enthusiasm. “The response was incredible to see. We had partners from the Prairies, partners from the Maritimes, every market was represented by at least one entry. The designs were totally eclectic and different from each other and had their own creativity behind it.”

As soon as her manager let her know about the competition, Jenelle got to work. “I literally pulled out some receipt paper and started sketching when I was on the floor. My team thought it was really funny. They were like ‘Of course you would start sketching ideas now…you wouldn’t even wait.’ I was so excited to just start and finish. My heart and soul and everything went into it.” 

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2019/06/Pride-Story-Header.jpg

core/file

As her designs moved from receipt paper to sketch pad, a concept began to come to life: Jenelle wanted to combine elements of the Pride Flag, the Transgender Flag, and browns representing queer people of colour with the iconic bloom of latte art. The phrase “A splash of pride in every cup” that’s proudly displayed on the back of each Pride shirt was taken from an alternate design Jenelle submitted, but she felt it fit the winning concept perfectly. 

Members of the Canada Pride Alliance Network considered each entry over three rounds of voting. They had a range of criteria, including creativity, originality and how it embodied Pride at Starbucks. Jenelle’s entry captured each. Steven Snyder summed up the judges’ reaction: “The design, the colours, everything stands out. This shirt is unapologetically Pride.”

Jenelle found her way to this winning approach organically. “Working at Starbucks for so many years, I already felt I had a connection to the company when I started designing. The ideology of the design is intuitive to me because I’ve been doing this for such a long time. A lifetime of learning and experimentation.”

The meaning of Pride is unique to everyone. For Jenelle, it’s about “being comfortable in who you are at a time when people feel the need to be different or have a different persona, especially on the internet, to get likes. Just being confident and just loving life.” 

When Jenelle discovered her art had been chosen, she was overcome with emotion. 

“I had to leave the floor. I couldn’t believe it. Honestly, I almost cried. I was shaking.” But this is just the beginning. “Now I’m more inspired than ever.”

Join Jenelle and other partners in your community in celebrating inclusion this Pride Month.

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/9/2019/06/SBX-Pride-2019-EN.gif

This month, when you pick up your morning coffee or join Pride celebrations in communities across Canada, there’s a good chance you’ll see Starbucks partners (what we call employees) wearing the vibrant tees designed by Toronto partner Jenelle Lewis.

A Splash of Pride in Every Cup - Starbucks Canada

https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2019/behind-the-green-apron-a-splash-of-pride-in-every-cup/

Pride Month Canada

Starbucks support for 2SLGBTQI+ partners and communities

Starbucks Pride: How one Starbucks partner’s t-shirt design is connecting partners with “Pride, Far & Wide”

Starbucks Pride: Meet Star (they/them), the barista finding strength in discovering more about their Indigenous and two-spirit identities

Starbucks Pride: Tristan (he/him) shares his journey to self discovery and acceptance

Starbucks Pride: Meet Devon (he/they), a store manager helping to create safe environments for trans partners and customers

A Splash of Pride in Every Cup