At TPG Telecom, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all our people, customers, and community feel safe, confident, and respected to be their authentic selves. This year, we proudly celebrated Pride Month, a time dedicated to recognising and honouring the LGBTQI+ community.

Recognising the importance of Pride Month

Pride Month holds significant importance both in Australia and around the world. It’s a time to reflect on the progress made towards equality and to acknowledge the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community. Each year at TPG Telecom, we enthusiastically and respectfully embrace the ethos of Pride Month by engaging our people in meaningful activities and discussions that highlight the importance of inclusivity.

The Changemakers campaign

This year, our Connect LGBTQI+ & Friends Network launched the Changemakers campaign to create awareness of past and present LGBTQI+ trailblazers. This campaign spotlighted individuals who have bravely championed a more equal, accepting, and inclusive world, be it through activism, writing, filmmaking, politics or anywhere in between. The purpose was to not only draw attention to how far the LGBTQI+ movement has come but also to emphasise why events like Pride Month are still crucial today.

Spotlight on Abbie and the Rainbow Shoelace Project

One of the standouts we spotlighted this year was Abbie Jane, founder of the Rainbow Shoelace Project. Raised in the rural town of Broken Hill, Abbie started this project in 2022 to give away free rainbow beads that people could wear on their shoelaces to show their support for the LGBTQI+ community.

How did it all start?

As a young queer person, Abbie would wear pride-coloured beads on her shoes – a small way of showing who she was and that she was proud of her identity. But then at just 12 years old, fresh into high school, Abbie quickly felt “isolated” and “alone” after being confronted with the generalised homophobia that was widespread on campus.

Fearing that she would be the target of bullying, Abbie considered discarding her rainbow beads altogether. But, realising the importance of visible support, she decided to not just continue wearing them herself, but to share them with others to create a culture of solidarity in the face of intolerance.

For Abbie, the whole motto of the Rainbow Shoelace Project is the simple recognition that:

“You normally only see rainbows when you are looking up, but when you are experiencing homophobia and bullying you tend to look down and hide yourself away from the world. Imagine feeling isolated and scared, only to see rainbow beads on a person’s shoes. That small action would end up having a huge impact on the LGBTQIA+ community.”

Partnering with Abbie to make a difference

Staying true to our ethos of inclusivity, we at TPG Telecom supported Abbie’s project by distributing packs of her rainbow-coloured beads across all our state offices in Australia and across our Vodafone stores.

Alongside this, our Group Executive Consumer and Executive Sponsor of Connect, Kieren Cooney, sat down with Abbie to hear her inspirational story in a three-part video interview series which was shared across our network.

We would go on to host Abbie at our Barangaroo office for a panel conversation with Senior Relationship Manager at Pride in Diversity, Ben Brown, and our Inclusion and Belonging Consultant, Shannon Pickert.

Impact of the Rainbow Shoelace Project

Today, over 250,000 packs of rainbow beads have been distributed globally, helping to reduce discrimination and bullying by normalising the visibility of pride colours and what they represent.

The project has received significant media coverage and support from celebrities and members of Parliament.

In 2023 Abbie attended Sydney World Pride, giving away 10,000 packs of beads – now a regular feature at Pride festivals all over Australia.

Even among the community, social media comments and testimonials speak volumes to the positive influence that the project has had on peoples’ lives.

“Being able to identify and feel a more tender sense of community with other queer people and allies is a powerful thing, and these little beads have gone beyond and above in their triumph! It’s given me hope to see how many people have engaged and how the conversation is changing for the better.”
– Faith via Instagram

“I’ve been wearing your beads on my shoes. During one of my consultations my patient asked about my shoes. I told him about you. He paused for a while and then told me that I was the first person he has ever told that he is gay. I wanted to send you a message of gratitude. Your kind heart and actions have made a difference in the life of my patient and I thank you. Your beads let him know my space is a safe space. Honestly I am so frustrated that people are still feeling alienated. But they are. And you have found a way to reach out. Thank you for your brave heart, Abbie. Your actions are helping a man in his 50’s learn to love himself for the first time.”
– Anonymous via Instagram DM

Anyone can be a Changemaker

From her humble beginnings in Broken Hill, Abbie has forged a global movement that champions support and acceptance of the LQBTQI+ community. It’s an inspiring story that shows how anyone, regardless of age or background, can make a meaningful difference through resolve, passion and commitment to inclusivity.