Today, our lives are bombarded with information and busyness that reminders on certain topics are needed, so I came to appreciate celebratory dates. Every June is all about Pride. It is everywhere, from banners in city centres to companies’ logos looking like they were dunked into the rainbow. The world has certainly changed for the better from when I started working, but there is still a long way to go. With the recent news coming from the US, it is a reminder to never be complacent, setbacks will happen, but we continue to push.
I came out to my family more than 30 years ago and it took me at least a decade to do the same in corporate life and it was very gradual. Yes, there was fear that my career would go nowhere if I brought my whole self to work. I don’t even remember when the first Pride celebrations happened in Brazil, but I have to confess that back then, I couldn’t understand the need for it. In my mind, the political aspect that would push for equality, recognition and, eventually, the law to change should be the only focus. As I reflect about it, it was probably because of some cultural component in my head (and maybe some level of prejudice).
Now, in my mid-fifties, life has given me perspective and it is gratifying to be able to post what Pride is for me:
Pride is a statement of existence and relevance.
Pride is a declaration to the world that we deserve to be here.
Pride is remembering that sometimes life isn’t fair, but we learn from it and push it to change.
Pride is the embrace and celebration of differences.
Pride is a muscle that needs daily exercise.
Pride is the blood that runs through the veins and pumps life into motion.
Pride is courage to keep going in spite of what others might tell us that we are too much or too little.
So my invitation is for everyone to embody Pride whilst pareding down life, not only one day per year, but every single day of every year. Celebrating all of us, in all our glory. This is when we get to be the best version of ourselves.
Pride
