Groupe Gay Globe Média (Image : AI / Gay Globe)
Recent news has focused considerable attention on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, as well as the many companies around the world, including some of the largest corporations, that are cancelling or withdrawing policies originally intended to inform employees about important workplace rules and principles.
DEI, which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion, refers to a set of principles and practices designed to foster an environment in which people are treated with respect, dignity and fairness, regardless of their personal characteristics, background, identity, sexual orientation, sex, age, disability or beliefs. Diversity recognizes the value of differences between people, equity seeks to ensure fair treatment and access to equal opportunities, while inclusion aims to enable everyone to participate fully in professional and social life. In journalism, DEI can also help ensure better representation of different lived experiences while preserving freedom of expression, pluralism and editorial independence.
Why Are Companies Abandoning Their DEI Policies?
In recent years, a growing trend has emerged in the business world, particularly in the United States: major companies are reducing, changing or abandoning some of their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. Some are eliminating specialized departments, while others are removing the term DEI from their communications or ending certain programs designed to improve the representation of underrepresented groups.
This retreat, however, is not the result of a single decision or one individual. Rather, it reflects a profound shift in the American political, legal and business climate. In this transformation, Donald Trump is now playing a major role in accelerating the trend.
Opposition to DEI policies existed long before Donald Trump returned to the White House. For several years, American conservative organizations and activists have criticized certain diversity programs, which they view as a form of discrimination or preferential treatment.
The movement gained considerable momentum following the US Supreme Court’s 2023 decision concerning university admissions and the use of racial criteria. Although the ruling primarily concerned universities, it prompted a broader reassessment of certain race-related and representation practices within American institutions.
Companies then began reviewing their own programs to determine whether they might expose them to legal risks. Then came Donald Trump’s election.
Trump Accelerates the Movement
Since returning to the presidency in January 2025, Donald Trump has made opposition to certain DEI policies a priority of his administration. His government has moved to reduce DEI programs within the federal administration and has also targeted diversity practices among certain suppliers and contractors doing business with the US government.
This policy places particular pressure on major companies that depend on federal contracts or fear being publicly associated with programs that have become politically controversial. But Trump’s influence extends beyond companies that work directly with the government. It is helping reshape the entire American business climate.
Conservative activists are also using social media to target companies and publicly criticize their DEI policies. In some cases, pressure campaigns and boycott threats have contributed to companies deciding to review their programs.
Gay Globe Introduces Its Own DEI Policy
While examining the global situation surrounding DEI policies, the management of Gay Globe suddenly realized that the publication had neither established nor published a policy on the subject, even though we should be setting an example. This oversight was corrected today, and readers can now consult Gay Globe’s DEI policy at https://gayglobe.net/politique-dei/.
For Gay Globe, adopting a DEI policy is therefore much more than an administrative formality or a response to a passing trend. It represents a commitment to our readers, our collaborators and the entire LGBT community.
A media outlet that calls on society to fight discrimination must also have the courage to examine its own practices and lead by example. Diversity should not simply be a subject we cover; it should also be reflected in the way we work, choose our stories, give people a voice and treat others.
This policy does not compromise our independence or our journalistic freedom. On the contrary, it affirms a simple principle: we can be rigorous, critical and free while remaining respectful, fair and inclusive.
It is in this spirit that Gay Globe is making DEI a concrete and lasting commitment. Because defending the rights and dignity of LGBT people also begins with the way we practice our profession.