What a difference a year makes. The world can shift beneath our feet faster than we ever imagine possible, leaving us scrambling to find our footing in landscapes we barely recognise.
Just twelve months ago, we were challenging organisations to move beyond performative allyship. Companies dressing their logos in rainbow colours felt tokenistic when real change seemed frustratingly slow. Today, witnessing a simple Pride display in an office building feels genuinely moving, a beacon of hope in increasingly turbulent times. So, thank you, Deutsche Bank, for your rainbow logo at your offices in Central London, and Uber Boats flaunting the rainbow flag as they carry passengers across the Thames. A special call out for the building manager where I live, who chose to hang those flags on 31st May, ensuring everyone would wake up on 1st June surrounded by symbols of love and possibility. These are examples of companies and individuals resisting pressures and conservative backlash because they understand that there is something profound about the power of visible solidarity when it matters most.
This stark contrast demands we pause and examine our own responses to change. How do we adapt our advocacy when the ground shifts? How do we maintain momentum for progress whilst acknowledging that even small gestures now carry greater weight than before?
The rainbow flags hanging in that building weren’t just decorations but declarations. In a world where standing up feels harder than ever, perhaps it’s time to ask ourselves: What declarations are we making, and how will they impact the future?