Pride for each other

Access for All

LGBTQIA+ people at Microsoft invite everyone to forge bonds of friendship, affection, and allyship

Pride has always been a celebration of identity—visibility, self-expression, and the joy of being unapologetically yourself. But at its heart, Pride is more than just individual expression; it’s the strength of a community that encourages, uplifts, and cares for one another.

This year, LGBTQIA+ people at Microsoft remind us that Pride isn’t just about showing up for ourselves—it’s about supporting each other. They invite everyone to forge bonds of friendship, affection, and allyship. Because our greatest strength has always been each other. And that will never change.

LGBTQIA+ employees at Microsoft open up about how community shapes, supports, and empowers them.

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A woman with dark hair smiles at the camera against a colorful, blurred background. Text above her reads, “Our hearts are tied to each other.”. — “The queer South Asian community never fails to make me feel uniquely at home. From the friends who uplifted me and helped me feel comfortable in my queerness throughout college to strangers whose stories of family, love, and neglect made me feel an instant connection to them. My heart is tied to this community, imperfect but full of love.”

**Jinal** (she/her)

A person with glasses and a beard stands in front of a colorful, abstract background. Text above reads: "Community is where I found strength. — “The LGBTQIA+ employee resource group at Microsoft showed me how broad and rich the community can be compared to what I knew growing up. As I traveled, the community grew even more. Let’s keep building the network—where we don’t just celebrate who we are individually but lift each other up collectively.”

**Daniel** (he/him)

An adult and a child smile at each other against a colorful, abstract background. Text above reads: “Through community, I understand my daughter more deeply.”. — “My daughter’s journey was completely organic—I was the one that needed to educate myself to better understand trans kids. Joining a gender diversity parent group, I learned SO much! They taught me the language to talk to her and give her space to be her true self. A fashionista at 14, she’s now living her best life because of our community—and so am I.”

**Tracy** (she/her)

A woman with long black hair smiles in front of a colorful, blurred background with the text: “My cousin’s courage paved the way.”. — “I’m inspired by those who are unapologetically themselves. Watching my cousin create her own space empowered me to embrace who I am. She really helped my family open their minds, and her courage carved a path for me. Now, I’m able to do that for others.”

**Brynna** (she/her)

A person wearing glasses and a light blue shirt smiles in front of a colorful background with the quote, "Because we marched, I move forward with hope. — “Actively participating in the Pride March had a huge impact on my self-esteem. It made me brave enough to stand up for what I believe in and for others. Whether in the grocery store, while queuing for coffee, or walking down the street, it’s crucial to have the confidence to be kind every day. Only then can we look to the future with hope.”

**Fabrizio** (he/him)

Share your Pride with others

No path is walked alone

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A man in a suit stands against a colorful, abstract background with the text, "I’m forging a path for the next dad." displayed above him. — “As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a father. With the passage of a new law and thanks to all those who pushed for it, I’m now the first single LGBTQIA+ dad in my country to become a parent through surrogacy. By ‘being the first’ to follow my dream, I advocated for myself, my kid, my community. There’s now a model for others to follow—to find their way.”

**Yaniv** (he/him)

A person with red hair and glasses smiles in front of a colorful background with the text, “Trans representation changed my life.”. — “I heard a trans woman’s story for the first time at an employee resource group meeting. She helped me understand my own gender identity—guiding me and my family through all the things to consider from health care to social transitions. I gained massive confidence in myself and flourished. That wouldn’t have been possible if she hadn’t shared her journey.”

**Lucy** (she/her)

Two women stand facing each other, smiling and holding hands, with a colorful background and the text, "I show up by listening first." displayed above them. — “Being part of an employee resource group really paved the way for me to leverage my time, privilege, and skills to show up and stand up for LGBTQIA+ rights with a focus on supporting transgender youth. As a board member and philanthropist, I always look to the community to tell me what’s needed. Volunteering to help people feel safe and connected isn’t just rewarding—it helps combat the darkness.”

**Nichole** (she/her)

A young person with dark hair smiles at the camera, standing in front of a colorful abstract background with the text, "I am, because we are. — “There’s an Angolan saying ‘sou porque somos,’ ‘I am, because we are,’ that captures the spirit of Pride for me. I’m first and foremost a culmination of my community—like my favorite Wednesday queer line-dancing group! They make it possible for me to feel seen, heard, and proud to be who I am … and to be who we are.”

**Steven** (he/him)

A man wearing glasses and a beige sweater smiles in front of a pastel, abstract background with the text, “I’m always in your corner.” at the top. — “Just because employees aren’t out publicly doesn’t mean that they don’t exist or they don’t face challenges. My region’s LGBTQIA+ employee resource group at Microsoft offers a safe space. When I joined, a colleague grappling with his identity reached out privately. Over time he found the courage to open up. Visibility is so important—being seen by even one person makes a difference.”

**Saber** (he/him)

For you, and for each other

Personal is professional

Personalize your Microsoft 365 app with Pride themes*

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Outlook

Use flag-inspired Pride themes in Outlook for iOS, Android, and Mac.

PowerPoint

Add a touch of Pride to PowerPoint on iOS and Mac.

A digital spreadsheet titled "Pride Budget" is open, showing a table with columns for payment number and payment date. — Excel

Introduce a sprinkle of Pride to Excel on iOS and Mac.

Smartphone screen showing a file management app with recent documents, including a rainbow graphic and a Pride poster; Microsoft Word icon is in the corner. — Word

Pride is the word. Literally—with a theme for iOS and Mac.

A digital Pride scavenger hunt checklist and a Microsoft OneNote window with three notebooks are displayed on a colorful purple background. — OneNote

Feel Pride while you take notes on iOS and Mac.

*Choose your favorite Pride theme for Outlook in Settings > Appearance. In all other M365 apps, enable the Pride theme in Settings > Show Your Pride.

The power of play

Discover Pride on Xbox

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Honoring Pride through play

Explore how Xbox is honoring Pride—from games by LGBTQIA+ creators and limited edition merch to opportunities to give back.

Collage of three video game scenes featuring characters celebrating Pride with rainbow flags and festive backgrounds. — Pride built into games

Discover how Overwatch 2, Sea of Thieves, and Farm Heroes Saga bring Pride to gaming.

Xbox Gear Shop

Show your support with limited-edition Pride T-shirts, hoodies, and more—designed by and with LGBTQIA+ communities.

A collage of four video game covers: Psychroma, Dragon Age The Veilguard, Tell Me Why, and Overwatch 2 Stadium. — Games shaped by the LGBTQIA+ community

Explore a curated collection of games that highlight the incredible creativity and storytelling from LGBTQIA+ developers and creators.

Text reads "GAMING with impact" on a soft pink background with colorful, abstract light patterns in the corners. — Gaming with impact

Microsoft Rewards members in the United States can earn and donate points to organizations supporting LGBTQIA+ communities.

When you bring your whole self, everyone shines

The Code of Us puts a spotlight on LBGTQIA+ voices so they can shine. Real stories, Bold truths. Big Heart. These are the people who make Microsoft more vibrant – one day, one story, one spark at a time.

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Two people smiling and posing against a colorful, pixelated background with the text "Celebrate Pride" displayed beside them. — At Microsoft, we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community – every voice, very journey, and every shade of Pride.

Two women holding "True" and "False" signs stand in front of a colorful background with the text “True or False LGBTIQA+ Edition” between them. — Microsoft’s LGBTQIA+ community is expressing identity and pride one avatar at a time. Because identity is limitless and so is Pride.

Self expression is a core part of our existence. Watch as two of our employees create their own avatars and how it tells their story.

We’re donating $100,000 to LGBTQIA+ nonprofits

For more than 30 years, Microsoft and our employees have stood alongside LGBTQIA+ communities—contributing over $17 million to organizations advancing equity, dignity, and human rights. Just last year, we gave more than $1.3 million to support this work globally.

As we launch our Pride 2025 campaign, we’re deepening that commitment with a $100,000 donation to organizations doing critical work for the community.