Pharmaceuticals and inclusion: the first alliance between companies for LGBTQ+ rights at work is born

Italy is still far from European standards in terms of LGBTQ+ rights. According to data published by ILGA Europe in the Rainbow Map 2025 , our country is ranked 35th out of 49, with a score of 24.41%, well below the European average (41.85%). Furthermore, according to Trans Murder Monitoring , Italy is the first country in the European Union for the number of transphobic murders: 49 documented cases. Yet, most discrimination and violence are not even reported. In this critical scenario, an unprecedented initiative from the pharmaceutical world arrives: LGBTQ+ Alliance in Pharma, the first alliance between Italian companies in the biopharmaceutical sector created to promote more inclusive work environments.

The project is promoted by Bristol Myers Squibb Italia, supported by Daiichi Sankyo Italia, Novartis Italia, Pfizer srl and Takeda Italia. The five companies have joined together on the occasion of Pride Month to launch a clear message: diversity must be recognized, protected and valued even in professional contexts. “We are proud to present the first alliance between pharmaceutical companies on the theme of LGBTQ+ inclusivity – says Fedora Gasperini , HR Director and sponsor of the project for Bristol Myers Squibb Italia. The data collected by ILGA Europe demonstrate how much work still needs to be done to achieve levels of equality comparable to those of other European countries”.

A Manifesto for Inclusion: Concrete Objectives

At the heart of the project is a shared Manifesto, which defines the commitments to be made in the next two years. The first concerns training and awareness-raising within companies: through educational and literacy courses, companies aim to overcome conscious and unconscious biases, promoting a more inclusive and informed corporate culture. The second commitment is directed externally: the participating companies will support associations and organizations active in the territory in the defense of LGBTQ+ rights, helping to combat homolesbobitransphobia even outside the company perimeter. The third objective is to promote work environments where each person can freely express their identity. This means developing and strengthening internal policies that promote authenticity and guarantee equal opportunities, transforming inclusion into a concrete and daily practice. “Lgbtq+ Alliance in Pharma was conceived and developed spontaneously by colleagues who have been dealing with these issues for a long time,” adds Gasperini. “It is a sign that change can also start from within companies. And when people are free to express themselves, performance and the corporate climate also benefit.”

A pilot project to inspire change

Lgbtq+ Alliance in Pharma is unique in the Italian panorama. Never before have pharmaceutical companies joined forces to promote Lgbtq+ inclusion in the workplace. The project also aims to inspire other companies, both public and private, to undertake similar paths. “It is an innovative project, born from the enthusiasm of the Pride Alliance Italia team at Bristol Myers Squibb,” concludes Gasperini. “It is only the first step in a commitment that we want to make structural and shared.”

The manifesto is online

In the coming months, the participating companies will work on the concrete implementation of the objectives defined in the Manifesto, available for consultation on the institutional websites of the companies involved. The invitation is open to anyone who wants to join this commitment, to help build more inclusive, safe and fair work environments – and a society.