A Bermudian bank yesterday said it would help to sponsor the island’s first gay pride march.

Butterfield Bank invited its staff to bring family and friends along to the August 31 event, which will feature a group from the bank in the parade.

Michael Neff, the bank’s managing director, said: “Being one of the island’s largest employers and a company with operations in ten countries, we are fortunate to have a diverse team of talented employees who bring different experiences and perspectives to the table when we’re solving problems.

“This enables us to better understand and address the needs of customers from all parts of the communities we serve. Our diversity is our strength.”

Mr Neff added: “Bermuda’s first Pride celebration will be an important milestone in our country’s history.

“It is both an opportunity to celebrate diversity within our community, and Bermuda’s progress to date in creating a more equal and inclusive society.

“But it is also a reminder that, as a community, we have more work to do to ensure that everyone in Bermuda has access to the same freedoms, and the opportunity to live their lives free of discrimination.”

Butterfield will provide financial support to OutBermuda, which is the main sponsor of Bermuda Pride 2019.

Mr Neff said: “We congratulate and we are pleased to support the efforts of OutBermuda and the organisers of Bermuda Pride 2019. We encourage all of our employees and their loved ones, who are allies, supporters or members of the LGBTQI+ community, to join us in parading under the Butterfield banner in Bermuda’s first Pride parade.”

The weekend of events will include a panel discussion at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club on August 30, a celebration in Victoria Park from 11am on August 31 and a parade through Hamilton starting at 2pm on the same day.

Chen Foley, of OutBermuda and on behalf of the Bermuda Pride 2019 organisers, said: “We thank Butterfield for being a leader in relation to diversity and inclusion, as well as in helping make Bermuda’s first Pride celebration a reality.

“Beyond its financial backing, the bank’s involvement is important because it helps underscore the vision for this event, which is to demonstrate that inclusion makes our community stronger and the jurisdiction more competitive and that diversity is something we should celebrate rather than fear.”

• Full details of the Pride events are available at www.bermudapride.net