Make room for loving out loud

Everybody is welcome at The Social Hub. While acceptance is at a historic low and the gaps in our social fabric continue to widen, it’s now more than ever important to take a stance for equity and inclusion. The Social Hub promotes a wider culture of diversity and acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community, creating a greater sense of safety and respect for all our community members. We commit to building a better future, together – not only during Pride Month, but all year around. 

The origins of Pride

What started with the infamous Stonewall riots for gay liberation in 1969 in New York City, grew to become a global phenomenon we know as Pride Month. With parades, marches, rallies, parties, and festivals organised mostly in June in major cities worldwide, we celebrate sexual and gender diversity, and the historic road that led us to where we are now. Yet, we also commemorate what it has cost the community, and we reflect on the hardship and injustices, varying from discrimination to criminalisation, still felt and experienced by so many LGBTQIA+ people across the world. Pride is about empowerment, and what is needed to inspire change for a better future. 

Understanding safe spaces 

A safe space is a welcoming environment where you feel safe, regardless of background, beliefs, preferences, or orientation. Whereas a sense of safety is barely a concern to many, continues to be a struggle for many LGBTQIA+ people. They still face a wide array of challenges, ranging from minor discrimination to serious criminalisation. Needless to say, these challenges are often felt more explicitly when travelling, forcing them to navigate misgendering, assumptions about non-traditional relationships, condemnation, downright hostility and, in some cases, even legal consequences. At The Social Hub, we engage in open dialogue with the LGBTQIA+ community and incorporate their suggestions that help us to provide an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to feel safe and welcome with us during their stay. 

No more surprises when travelling 

It can be quite challenging to find information on where to safely stay when travelling. When it comes to seeking accommodation, it’s good to take into account that not every hotel is as welcoming to LGBTQIA+ people as we would like them to be. Being denied your preferred gender identity, being side-eyed because you and your partner share the same bed, being ill-treated or ignored during your stay, up to verbal confrontations and intimidations because you are who you are. These are just a few of the many challenges LGBTQIA+ people still need to navigate, more often than not. At The Social Hub, we’re committed to creating a safe space for all people to feel included and welcomed during their stay, which is underlined by our use of inclusive language, policies, and amenities. 
 
When it comes to accommodation when travelling, it’s worth considering staying at a hotel that explicitly welcomes LGBTQIA+ people. Luckily, in recent years we’ve experienced a notable shift towards more inclusive ways of offering hospitality. More and more hotels are actively committed to creating a safe environment for everyone, by using inclusive language, policies, and amenities. And we applaud that! At The Social Hub, we’re dedicated to fostering change for the better, and to creating a community that is built on inclusivity, equity, and diversity.

The Social Hub, committed to change 

At The Social Hub, we want to create a safe atmosphere that fosters connections and understanding between people who may not necessarily interact otherwise. Following our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion codes, we make sure to use inclusive language, abide by inclusive policies and implement amenities that provide a welcoming and safe space to LGBTQIA+ people and our wider community alike. Furthermore, we make sure diversity and inclusivity are represented within our team, and we continue to engage and learn in open dialogue with the LGBTQIA+ community on offering hospitality in the best way possible. 

What to do to make change happen 

How do you create a welcoming space for people from all walks of life? And more specifically, what can you do to provide queer and LGBTQIA+ people with a sense of respect, inclusion, and safety during their stay? At The Social Hub, we engage in open conversations with the LGBTQIA+ community, during which we take note and incorporate suggestions about offering hospitality in the best way possible. We believe it’s of utmost importance to make well-informed choices when considering ways to create a safe space for everyone – while continuing to listen to our guests attentively and with empathy, kindness and a non-judgemental mindset. We’re committed to creating a better and inclusive future, together. 

Designing inclusive spaces 

Inclusivity doesn’t stop with using the right pronouns and being considerate to each other. Design elements can also hugely impact how a space is perceived by those using it. Inclusive signage, gender-neutral bathroom options and diverse representation in decor help make a space more enjoyable and welcoming to LGBTQIA+ people, as they create a sense of consideration, inclusion – and most importantly, of being seen and validated. At The Social Hub, we celebrate everyone who is or wants to be part of our community, and we take pride in fostering a safe space for all. That’s why most hubs are designed with inclusivity in mind, and we’re currently working on updating the hubs that are not yet fully aligned with our codes. 

In tune with our world 

The path to a more inclusive future is paved together. And that’s also something to be excited about! At The Social Hub, we believe in a shared effort (and responsibility) to make change happen and create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ people. That’s why we commit to a diverse representation within our team and to actively engage with queer communities and local organisations to listen, learn and forge enduring partnerships of support and education about diversity, equity, and inclusivity – not only during Pride Month but all year around. 

Keeping up with the programme 

Throughout the year, The Social Hub organises events, initiatives, fundraisers, and public programmes that help us to create an inclusive and diverse community that actively engages with queer and LGBTQIA+ people – varying from Lunch & Learn programmes to Drag Bingo. They not only provide our community with opportunities to learn and exchange, but they are also fun ways to meet and interact with like-minded people. Keep an eye on our locations’ social for the latest events. And have you heard about our Better Society Programme? These masterclasses, organised around social themes in hubs across Europe, empower social changemakers to become influential forces for good. This is how we keep up with the programme to foster change for a better future. 

Pride events at The Social Hub 

Join one of our Pride events this year! Together, we create a safe space for change – and we’re going to have a blast while doing it. The Social Hub organises a wide array of events across Europe, varying from our ‘Cheers to Queers’ comedy show in Vienna to Drag Brunch in Berlin. Make room for loving out loud. Check out our programme and be part of our thriving and inclusive community.