As with many communities, being a person who identifies as LGBTQIA+ is not a one-size fits all experience. Some of our team members shared some words about why it's important to make your voice heard.
Krys, Omni Channel Client ExperienceFor those in the LGBTQIA+ community it's always important to make your voice heard because you never know who needs to hear your story, your cause can motivate and inspire.
Jacob, Director of Field Sales & Education
Honoring the momentous steps forward in the past, led by generations that came before us keeps me motivated to speak up for equality. To me, complacency can't be an option.
Khalid, Omni-Channel Client Experience Coordinator
It's important to me because I was once a young, gay, Black boy afraid of being all of who I am. I live openly and loudly because I want queer Black youth to see that they don't have to hide. It's okay to be exactly who we are without fear. Our existence is resistance to heteronormative ideals that make us believe we are abnormal and doing things wrong. I also believe it’s important to show anyone who may be struggling to find their identity that it’s okay to just be without the pressures of fitting into a box. We get to be all of who we are without constraints, and to me, that’s queerness. We are more than what society tells us we are “supposed” to be.
Anonymous
Visibility can change other's reality. Showing up as your authentic self can help expand someone else's view of the world and inspire them to do the same.
Peter, Deputy General Manager YTTP
We live in times when achievements of equality for the community are threatened again after decades of progress, we all can be proud of. As an open society we cannot allow ourselves to lose these achievements.
Lauren, Senior Manager of Retail Relations & Strategy
It is always important to have as many diverse perspectives, experiences, and voices as possible in any conversation to make real lasting change. All people deserve to be loved, heard, respected and take up space!
Megan, Manager of Omni Client Experience and Education
Because there are so many people out there who are experiencing similar life situations. When we speak and make our voice heard it can help validate someone else's experience + feelings as well as educate others who may not understand what it's like to be LGBTQIA+.
