How was the LGBT+ Diamonds Awards created?
The beginnings at NatWest (2018)
The story of the LGBT+ Diamonds Awards began in 2018 as a grassroots initiative by employees of NatWest Group Poland. In response to Poland's last place in the ILGA Rainbow Europe ranking, the decision was made to create a platform that not only says "thank you" but also genuinely builds an alliance of business, activists, and non-governmental organizations for equality.
Dynamic growth and recognition
The project, which started with 20 nominations, has become a key event for the LGBT+ community in Poland within a few years, gaining its trust and generating over 170 submissions in its sixth edition. Its importance was confirmed by a prestigious award in the "Diversity Charter" competition by the Responsible Business Forum in 2024.
The mission continues
After six editions that established the Gala's position as the most important event appreciating LGBT+ people and allies in Polish business, the time has come for an evolution. In line with the idea of continuous development, the seventh edition of the awards is moving under the wings of a new core-team - the Empower Beyond Foundation and the Creative Poland agency. Drawing from the existing legacy, we will continue this important mission into the future.
Previous laureates: individuals, institutions, and initiatives
2024
LGBT+ supporting employer of the year
3M Service Center EMEA Sp. z o.o.
LGBT+ employee network of the year
Diversity & Pride TVN Warner Bros Discovery
LGBT+ ambassador of the year
Lulla La Polaca – Andrzej Szwan
LGBT+ supporting initiative of the year:
Koalicja na Rzecz ZwiÄ…zków Partnerskich i RównoÅ›ci MałżeÅ„skiej
Partnership of the year (NGO):
Stowarzyszenie Warszawski Klub Sportowy Volup
Local initiative of the year:
Śląsk Przegięty
Accompanying awards (special prizes):
Kampania Przeciw Homofobii
2022
LGBT+ supporting employer of the year
BNP Paribas
LGBT+ employee network of the year
Place of Pride, SKANSKA
LGBT+ ambassador of the year
Ewelina Negowetti
LGBT+ supporting initiative of the year:
Koalicja Miast MaszerujÄ…cych po Równość Osób LGBTQ
Partnership of the year (NGO):
Polskie Towarzystwo Prawa Antydyskryminacyjnego
Local initiative of the year:
Koło Naukowe MyGender z Uniwersytetu SWPS
Accompanying awards (special prizes):
Lambda Warszawa
2021
LGBT+ supporting employer of the year
GSK Poland
LGBT+ employee network of the year
Building Pride, JLL
LGBT+ ambassador of the year
Katarzyna Zillmann
LGBT+ supporting initiative of the year:
Atlas Nienawiści
Partnership of the year (NGO):
Lambda Warszawa
Local initiative of the year:
Tęczowy Białystok​
2020
LGBT+ supporting employer of the year
IKEA Polska
LGBT+ employee network of the year
J.P. Morgan PRIDE
LGBT+ ambassador of the year:
Sylwia Chutnik
LGBT+ supporting initiative of the year:
Stop strefom wolnym od LGBT
Partnership of the year (NGO):
Fundusz dla Odmiany
Accompanying awards (special prizes):
All Colours of Tech 2020 - CD Projekt RED
2019
LGBT+ supporting employer of the year
Dentons
LGBT+ employee network of the year
Citi Pride Netowork
LGBT+ ambassador of the year (business):
Karolina Zajdel-Pawlak z Nielsena
LGBT+ ambassador of the year (public life):
Aneta Cybula i Aga Kozak
LGBT+ supporting initiative of the year:
Akcja „Przytul mamÄ™, przytul tatÄ™” stowarzyszenia My, Rodzice
LGBT+ rising star:
Przemek Staroń
Partnership of the year (NGO):
Fundacja Wolontariat RównoÅ›ci:
2018
LGBT+ supporting employer of the year
Nielsen
LGBT+ employee network of the year
​Credit Suisse Poland LGBT & Ally Network Credit Suisse Poland
LGBT+ ambassador of the year (business):
Kuba Piwowar, Google Polska
LGBT+ ambassador of the year (public life):
Remigiusz Ryziński
LGBT+ supporting initiative of the year:
Tęczowy Piątek" organizowany przez Kampanię Przeciw Homofobii
LGBT+ rising star:
ex aequo Martyna Kaczmarek z Ben & Jerry’s oraz Dominik Kuc
Partnership of the year (NGO):
Stowarzyszenie Miłość Nie Wyklucza