Partner Policy

As an event committed to showcasing and celebrating the work of young LGBTQ+ people in a safe space, meaningful and inclusive way, we are mindful of the importance of who we engage with, and accept as partners for the event each year. We expect our partners to be working with us because they are already committed to and showing evidence of the work they do supporting young LGBTQ+ people and/or because they are looking for opportunities to do more and/or do better.  We are also committed to ensuring that we try our very best to run a sustainable event which has minimal impact on the environment as a result of our membership with the sustainable recruitment alliance. 


With these factors in mind we do not partner with:

  • Companies who (to our knowledge) have displayed homophobic, biphobic and/or transphobic behaviours and attitudes publicly and/or towards their employees;

  • Companies who are not making efforts to provide sustainable products and services;

  • Companies who are directly linked to acts of war or violence through the services they supply including arms companies and those who are currently listed by Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS), a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality.


How we use any monies received through partnerships:

100% of the monies received from our partners is used to promote, organise, deliver our event and to make an annual donation to our charity partner(s). Any profit to date has been tracked and re-invested into running the following year’s event. 


Our approach to partnerships

When we begin conversations with new event partners we take the time to ask them about the work that they already do to support young LGBTQ+ people to ensure that everyone involved is committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion and not using the QSAs as an opportunity to ‘pinkwash’. Where it has later become evident that this was the case, or where support for companies associated with the above bullets identified becomes visible publicly, we question partners and where needed cease to continue working with them.


We consider the following questions, which are aligned with the founding values of the event, when approving and working with our partners:

  • What is their vision for equality with regards to the LGBTQ+ community? 

  • Are they likely to become a long-term partner who can help us to support young LGBTQ+ people beyond the event?

  • Do they appreciate the value of the work that the event recognises and celebrates? 

  • Are they prepared to get excited about, and publicly show their passion for, celebrating young LGBTQ+ people? 

A note on visibility and availability of information regarding activities which do not align with the values of the event and what the LGBTQ+ community are passionate about: We will always try our hardest to ensure that we have all of the information that is needed to make the right decision when selecting our partners. Sometimes we will miss things. If you think that’s the case then our door is always open and we will listen.

Please contact us with any concerns you may have in the first instance.

Policy written 15 February 2024, last revised 07 December 2024.