TDS Telecom holds Pride Flag Celebration in advance of Sunday’s OutReach MAGIC Pride Festival

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS^®) held a Pride Flag Celebration at its Madison, Wisconsin headquarters Friday. The event showcased the company’s support for the LTBTQ+ community and helped promote the OutReach MAGIC Pride Festival that TDS is sponsoring this weekend.

“After the last few years, we’ve all been reminded of just how important community can be, and we’re excited to be a part of bringing this community back together to celebrate and honor our LGBTQ+ history and future,” said Kathy Cefalu, TDS Telecom VP and Chief Human Resources Officer.

The event included several speakers as well as the Pride Flag being flown at company headquarters. Program attendees also waved smaller, individual Pride flags.

“As the flag represents, we recognize the many intersecting identities that make up the LGBTQ+ community and we value their impact within TDS,” said Cefalu.

The celebration was put on by TDS’s 2BU Associate Resource Group (ARG). The employee group fosters a sense of community within and outside of TDS and its sister company, OneNeck, by valuing differences, providing an inclusive and safe environment, and helping LGBTQ+ associates succeed.

“I have always felt welcome, accepted, and included. I think that speaks volumes to the leadership of the company and the culture of the TDS family of companies,” said Steven Eiles, 2BU ARG member and manager of TDS Internal Control and Audit Services. “I must say I am proud of who I am and to work for an organization such as TDS.”

TDS was recently named a best place to work for LGBTQ+ equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The company received a perfect score in back-to-back years on the Corporate Equality Index.

The OutReach MAGIC Pride Festival is being held Sunday, August 21 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Warner Park in Madison.