LGBT+ Inclusion – Everyday Allyship

Sharing one's LGBT+ identity can be an anxious experience, but when met with love and acceptance, it can make all the difference.

We know that support at home builds self-confidence and a sense of belonging that’s carried out into the world. Not only that, support and acceptance are free ingredients.

When there’s so much to say, nothing to say, or you can’t find the words, start with a hug. (And if a hug is not wanted, just say it’s ok.)

Be an ally
Interviews
IKEA takes action
LGBT+ glossary

Envy and her boyfriend in their living room, a colorful painting in the background.

Two people hugging outside on a city street, one of them has a large STORSTOMMA bag, in rainbow colors, hanging on the shoulder.

Tip

A guide for becoming an everyday ally

Show the world you’re an ally! 🏳️‍🌈

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Rainbow reusable bag, yellow handle, eco-friendly.

He. She. They. Us. We.

Hear the stories of what it’s like to be LGBT+. While loneliness and isolation can affect the LGBT+ community, meaningful connection and acceptance create the belonging everyone deserves. Loneliness can be common among the LGBT+ community. But it doesn’t have to be. The hes, the shes, the theys are all a part of we. And we’re better together.

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Envy Peru, she/her/diva-in-drag

As Boris, he’s petite and confident, open but protective. As Envy Peru, he’s a funny, extroverted queen with a wicked sense of humour.

Envy Peru sitting in full make up and drag in her dressing room, the vanity mirror behind casts a glamorous shine.

Alle, she/they/them

Living on a remote island off the coast of Sweden, Alle has always felt a little different in her community. But now she’s creating a life and community of her own.

Alle and her wife standing outside in their garden, their son is sitting on her shoulders.

Nancy (she/her/they/them/ours), IKEA co-worker

Nancy is a champion for LGBT+ acceptance despite a life of feeling different and being different from those around her. In Great Britain, she’s paving a path for acceptance for others as well.

Face portrait of Nancy outside with blurred greenery in the background.

How IKEA takes action for the LGBT+ community

At IKEA, we want every coworker and customer to feel welcome, respected, and supported. That’s why we continue to strengthen our commitment to equality and inclusion across all our units.

Several units offer all‑gender restrooms, and IKEA Anderlecht also provides all‑gender changing rooms so everyone can choose the space where they feel most comfortable.
Across all units, we use inclusive communication assets - such as visual messages, table talkers, and newsletters - especially during moments of awareness like IDAHOT and Pride Month.
We celebrate IDAHOT and Pride in major cities and raise the Progress Flag in all our units to show our support for the LGBT+ community.
Our managers receive training to help them recognize and mitigate unconscious bias, strengthening an inclusive work culture for all.
We are preparing to launch company-wide guidelines for inclusive communication to help coworkers feel confident and supported when speaking or writing about diversity topics.
In 2026, we introduced “Dare to Ask” chat jars and a coworker interview series - featuring stories on topics such as disability and gender diversity - to create safe and open conversations.
For coworkers and customers, we are replacing white pedestrian crossings with colors of the Progress Flag to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to an inclusive environment.
We ensure equal parental leave for same‑sex couples, because all families deserve the same support.
As an active member of Open@Work, a Belgian network promoting workplace equality, we collaborate with other organizations to continuously improve our practices.