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The inside scoop on TUI’s LGBTQ+ Employee Network

Find out more about our Employee Network and our Pride sponsorships in the UK and overseas.
At TUI, we know our colleagues are as diverse as the destinations we fly to, and we strive to make sure every member of every team is respected and included. We’re particularly proud of the work that’s gone into supporting our LGBTQ+ colleagues across the business – from a network dedicated to LGBTQ+ discussions to sponsorship of some of the UK’s biggest Pride events, including Manchester and Brighton & Hove Pride. Read on to find out more…

Once you’ve had a read, check out our LGBTQ+ friendly holidays.

Our LGBTQ+ Employee Network

TUI colleagues have come together to form the LGBTQ+ Employee Network, which spans every area of the business. The network is open to anyone who works for TUI, whether they’re based in an airport or at the head office. It’s headed up by a group of dedicated network leads – Steven Jackson-Hunt, Daniel Leinhardt, Chris Hayman, Jack Lawrence, Jason Ryan, Jade Webb and Nivi Naor – and offers a safe and encouraging space to discuss LGBTQ+ topics and issues. Lots of smaller working groups have branched out from the main network to allow for closer collaboration on projects, too. The network also provides the wider business with information and offers a chance to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community.
 
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TUI employees at Pride.

Makers of change

The LGBTQ+ employee network meets virtually once a month, and they’ve been the driving force behind lots of positive changes at TUI. This includes a new inclusive uniform policy for our retail employees, which no longer assigns a gender automatically, so our Travel Experts and Retail Managers can choose the uniform they wish to wear. They also set up Pride at TUI Day – a day full of celebrations across the LGBTQ+ community at TUI, which has been celebrated every year since 2021.

All thanks to the network, everybody can now add their pronouns to their Microsoft Teams profile. Away from the digital space, members of the network even lent a helping hand with the direction of our same-sex weddings photoshoot, too.
TUI retail staff uniform close up supporting the LGBTQ+ employee network.

Award-winning colleagues

One of the employee network’s leads – Steven Jackson-Hunt – was crowned Travel Pride Champion in 2021 by travel media specialists, TTG. It was all down to his contribution to inclusive changes here at TUI. After hearing the news that he’d won the award, Steven said: “I’m so honoured to be recognised by TTG for everything that myself and the LGBTQ+ network have achieved to promote diversity and inclusivity within TUI.” That’s not all, though! Miranda Simms – our Wellbeing and Inclusion Lead – went on to win the award in 2023. Steven was nominated for the TTG LGBTQ+ trailblazer of the year award in 2021, and Ed Daich-Williams – another of the network’s leads – was nominated for the same award in 2023.
Steven Jackson-Hunt, Travel Pride Champion in 2021.

Proud Pride supporters

Pride@TUI Day
While we’re proud supporters of the LGBTQ+ community all-year round, we don’t shy away from using Pride month as a chance to get the rainbow flags flying. All areas of the business come together to celebrate Pride and our LGBTQ+ colleagues. Our retail stores and head office are decked out in rainbow flags, and dedicated talks are held to help educate people across the business on LGBTQ+ topics.

Retail staff celebrating Pride and our LGBTQ+ colleagues.

Maspalomas Pride 2025

In 2025, for the fourth year running, TUI supported Pride Maspalomas in Gran Canaria – one of the largest parades in Europe.

A collage of imagery showing TUI as a key sponsor of the 21st Pride Maspalomas in Gran Canaria.

Brighton & Hove Pride 2022

TUI were one of the premium sponsors of Brighton & Hove Pride back in August 2022. You might have spotted us on our stand at the Preston Park Pride Festival or waving from our float while watching the parade – it was so exciting to support the community to Live Happy, Love Happy.

A couple celebrating Pride.

Manchester Pride 2023

We set the sat nav north for Pride celebrations in summer 2023, with our huge float taking to the streets of Manchester. Despite the wet weather, almost 100 colleagues from every corner of the company took part in the parade – from pilots to cabin crew and Travel Experts to head office colleagues. Plus, as we were the headline sponsor of Manchester Family Pride, Captain T joined in with the celebrations.

Manchester Pride 2024

After a great time at Pride in 2023, our LGBTQ+ Employee Network returned to Manchester for last year’s Pride event. Over 70 colleagues walked on or alongside our beach-themed float, which proudly displayed the TUI LGBTQ+ logo, ‘Live Happy, Love Happy.’

Pride summer 2025

Exciting news – this summer, we’re supporting not one, not two, but three Pride events in the UK. We’ll be supporting Birmingham Pride with some very special guests, joining the parade at Pride Cymru and we’ll be returning to Manchester Pride, where our network will be joined by an 80’s pop legend and a gay icon. We’ll be back to tell you all about it after the summer...

TUI staff on a rainbow-coloured plane-themed pride float.
Looking for LGBTQ+ holiday inspo?

Take a look at the best LGBTQ+ friendly holidays, the best destinations for LGBTQ+ Pride weddings abroad and the best LGBTQ+ honeymoon destinations.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

Author: Alice Baker and Karl Taylor

Last updated: 21.05.2025

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