Wavemaker Proudly Supports Say it Loud Club

In early July, Wavemaker’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group, Unite joined forces with community-led organisation, Say it Loud Club, to hold its second annual pride party and raise funds for the charity.

Wavemaker Unite is part of WPP’s wider Unite network which represents LGBTQ+ employees and allies across the WPP network, in nine countries including the US, UK, Czechia, South Africa and India, with more than 800 members. The ongoing collaboration with Say It Loud club, and this year’s Pride celebrations, showcases the latest efforts from Unite to lean into their mission to uplift LGBTQ+ individuals and champion visibility within Wavemaker, WPP and beyond.

With the aim to create a community to come together and connect in a safe space, the Say It Loud Club supports LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. The charity provides its members with social, emotional, educational support and advocacy. The fundraising is focused on raising money to go towards campaigning efforts and supporting members in areas such as asylum claims and housing needs. The annual pride collaboration is a particular focus in the Unite annual calendar, as it gives Wavemaker the opportunity to collaborate with a London based organisation focused on LGBTQ+ welfare and issues. More importantly, the event offers Unite members a valuable opportunity to gain understanding of, and insights into, the lived experiences of queer people from underrepresented groups. 

Wavemaker’s global client president and Unite sponsor, Alex Altman opened the celebration by expressing the agency’s excitement to celebrate with Say It Loud Club for another year. “It is wonderful to welcome The Say It Loud Club back and to spend time with Alloysius and his amazing community. We hope one day that wherever you live in the world, those who identify as LGBTQ+ will be able to live their lives openly and without fear of hostility - until that time, we remain here to support the SILC and offer a safe space.”

The pride celebrations were supported by over one hundred members of the Say it Loud Club and the Wavemaker Unite community. Entertainment on the evening included performances by Brighton based drag artist and saxophonist Snow White Trash, who MC’ed the event for a second time, alongside an original dance performance choreographed by Say It Loud Club members Gloria Najjua, Krystal Stephens and Jessy Biyinzika.

Say It Loud Club member and Housing Project manager Thelma Ndaula reminded everyone about the meaning and importance of Pride. “Being comfortable to express our LGBTQ+ identity is one of the hardest challenges we face when we first come to the UK. We have spent our whole lives hiding who we are, so suddenly being able to live freely is a big adjustment! That's one of the reasons that Pride is so important to us. It's an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, and to show the world that we are - at last - proud to be who we are.”

As in previous years, the high point of the evening for many was the opportunity to hear personal stories from the Say It Loud Club members, who bravely shared their experiences as queer refugees living in the UK. The personal stories brought home the fact that same-sex relationships are still illegal in 70 countries across the world, meaning more than 1,800 LGBTQ+ people arrive in the UK every year fleeing abuse, imprisonment, and fear of death because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Among the stories shared was a powerful sentiment from a recent joiner to the club, Darlene Odogbili, who spoke about their experience of joining the community:

“Before Say It Loud Club I was a very confused person, and I didn’t know where to turn. I couldn’t even come to the party last year. This year I’ve embraced my journey, and I’m here! I’m so happy to be here with you all.”

“We are so proud that Wavemaker and WPP are supporting the Say it Loud Club, such an amazing cause to help provide a genuine lifeline of critical support and friendship to LGBTQ+ people forced to leave their home countries to avoid brutal persecution. Honoured to meet so many brave and incredible people - a very humbling but genuinely inspiring experience.” said Wavemaker global chief growth & marketing officer, Hamish Davies.

With another successful Pride event behind them, the relationship between Wavemaker and Say It Loud Club continues to flourish, and plans are already afoot to collaborate in new and different ways later this year and beyond.

If you would like to support Say It Loud Club, any donation large or small will be very warmly welcomed. More details can be found here.