150 employees and guests celebrated the tenth anniversary of REWE Group's own LGBTIQ network di.to... in Cologne on Friday, 18 August.
"di. stands for different. And to. for together". Sebastian Lange said that he could see all of this as he looked into the hall where 150 people had gathered to celebrate the tenth birthday of REWE Group's LGBTIQ network di.to: "di.to. is a pretty colourful bunch."
Sebastian Lange (Photos: © Dustin Preick)
As a member of the di.to strategy group, Lange led through the afternoon, attentively and with quiet humour. According to the head of REWE Group's capital city office (Public Affairs), he himself, unlike others, had been lucky enough to be "out at work" right from the start. He was therefore all the more pleased to see how firmly diversity is anchored in the company today.
This was also confirmed by Dr Daniela Büchel, Chief Human Resources and Sustainability Officer, in her welcoming address, which followed Lionel Souque's digital congratulations.
"Sensational work has been done"
In her speech, Büchel travelled through the development from the Cologne regulars' table of gay and lesbian colleagues to the supra-regional LGBTIQ network, whose importance she also emphasised from a recruiting perspective: "Diversity is a basic attitude. The internal and external impact has grown and is still growing."
Daniela Büchel
This increased visibility over the ten years of di.to. is also thanks to the initiatives launched by di.to., such as the rainbow flags and stickers at markets and head offices, participation in the CSD in five German cities, participation in the Come Together Cup and, last but not least, the large number of fundraisers. And from a business perspective, diversity also makes a company stronger, because "diverse teams bring completely different results."
The fact that di.to. can look back on ten years where other companies are just starting out is worthy of applause. For the coming years, CEO Büchel saw the challenge of bringing the topic to all areas of the company and, in particular, to the shop floor. There is still discrimination and no guarantee "that it will never happen in our company". But there is no doubt that the "Pride Champion" di.to. has contributed to a corporate culture "where everyone can feel accepted and contribute in such a way that they can be themselves".
Moderator Lange bid farewell to the REWE Group board member with the question of what words she would use to raise a glass to di.to? Büchel's spontaneous answer: "You have done a sensational job!"
"At REWE, you can work and be whoever you want"
Tobias Koch and Anna Pavlitschek
Anna Pavlitschek, who co-founded the network in 2013, and Tobias Koch, co-founder of the network in the eastern region, looked back on the development of di.to. from a regulars' table in Cologne to a supra-regional network.
While friendships, leisure activities and the CSD took centre stage in the beginning, di.to. quickly developed into a strategic driving force and diversity pioneer: from the rainbow flags and stickers to the impetus for the founding of the corporate diversity network to the guideline on gender-neutral language or the planned e-learning on LGBTIQ topics: di.to. gave and continues to give impetus to the REWE Group and improved the visibility and acceptance of LGBTIQ employees in the company.
This was also the case for Tobias Koch, who only came out at work once he had got to know the company and its values better: "At REWE, you can work and be whoever you want".
Franziska Halstrick, Head of Human Resources Development, presented REWE Group's diversity network, which was initiated by di.to and brings together all dimensions of diversity beyond sexual orientation as well as people who are "passionate about making a difference". "There's a lot going on and it seems like you're going to keep at it," said researcher Dominic Frohn, who analysed how important a network like di.to. is for the community and the significant impact experiences of discrimination have on psychosomatic complaints, job satisfaction, mental health and commitment.
Ricarda Hofmann
"Every idea was heard," recalled then co-founder Ricarda Hofmann in an interview with presenter Lange about the beginnings of di.to.. Today, the former DER Travel and Tourism employee runs "Busenfreundin", one of the most listened to LGBTIQ podcasts in Germany.
Martina Weinhold
To conclude, di.to. spokesperson Martina Weinhold ventured a look into the crystal ball: For the year 2033, she saw "many colleagues from the field" in the network and proudly announced: "We have implemented everything."
On the occasion of the birthday celebration, di.to. founder Frank Bartels and Tobias Koch presented donations to four associations: a cheque each was presented to Aidshilfe Köln e.V., CSD Leipzig e.V., the largest LGBTIQ youth organisation in Europe anyway e.V. and the Come Out! foundation, which supports contact and free spaces for young queer people.
Why drinking Kölsch is not enough and why straight people can set an example at CSD: di.to. co-founder Frank Bartels talks about the motivation behind his commitment and the need to demonstrate peacefully together.
one: Frank, how did di.to. come about?
Frank Bartels: To summarise briefly: In 2013, some of my colleagues, who were all male at the time, had seen the CSD float from the Cologne REWE supermarket Ridders and then asked me: 'You're the event professional at REWE Group, why don't we do a float?' So the primary idea was to take part in the CSD and also to network in a very classic way over a Kölsch. And for me, it was an opportunity to give something back with this commitment.
one: To give something back...?
Frank Bartels: When I came to Cologne in 1998, I was welcomed here with open arms, I never had to hide or fight for my legal rights. The way was paved by many pioneers who had taken to the streets decades earlier for their rights and later for mine too. In this respect, it was easy to sit in the nest. But even at our first regulars' table in a pub on Cologne's Eigelstein - we were around 25 gay and lesbian colleagues - we very quickly realised that there was a lot to do at REWE Group and that a simple, informal regulars' table was far from enough. Hence the idea of giving back and getting involved.
one: What do you personally take away from the past ten years?
Frank Bartels : Firstly, the many colleagues I've had the pleasure of getting to know over the past ten years, many of whom have become friends. The generally more open way of dealing with each other in the company, many inhibitions have disappeared. And I am particularly pleased that di.to. was a kind of nucleus for everything that has happened at REWE Group since then in terms of diversity. That makes me a little proud.
one: What are your hopes for the near di.to. future?
Frank Bartels: My ambition is to roll out the CSD campaign even stronger and bigger in the future and to rely on the support of straight allies, i.e. heterosexual supporters. We are currently living in a time of upheaval, the tone in society is becoming harsher and is sometimes reflected in physical violence against the LGBTIQ community. But I also have the feeling that the inhibition threshold for verbal or physical violence has fallen sharply in recent years and that respect for others has become a foreign concept for many. I think CSD is the perfect platform to demonstrate in favour of peaceful coexistence between all people, regardless of whether they are queer or straight. In my perception, there has been a growing number of allies in the REWE Group for some time who want to support our network at CSD, among other things. Not because of the party, but to demonstrate together with many other colleagues and make a statement. I think that's cool because it corresponds exactly to our name: di.fferent to.gether.
My wish for the future is that equal rights, regardless of sexual orientation, become a matter of course“
