Pride may look a little different this year, but whether celebrated online or in-person, it’s underlying message of inclusivity and community remains unchanged. Here, eight Industrious employees — from all across the country — share what Pride and inclusivity mean to them.
“Inclusivity, to me, is our community holding space for everyone to feel welcome and know that they can confidently contribute their ideas in any setting. All voices heard, all voices equal.”— Jay Hayes, Area Manager, Techspace (Westcoast)
“Companies pay a lot of lip-service to ‘bringing your whole self to work.’ Until recently, LGBTQIA+ people in 29 states could be for fired for that and there are still too many countries across the world where queer people can’t be their whole selves, at work or elsewhere. That’s why pride is important to me. Being visibly and audibly queer in spaces that historically didn’t want queer people is power, for myself and for all LGBTQIA+ people.” — Peter Feytser, Director of Product, Digital
“Pride — more than anything — is a feeling. Being able to first accept yourself and then others is a super empowering and uplifting experience. Love is universal and it should be celebrated. Pride reminds me to overwhelm people with positivity and encourage myself and others to express themselves freely. This time of year is always such a light!” — Anthony Battistella, Community Manager, Industrious Pittsburgh Liberty Center
“Pride means speaking my truth, even when no one’s listening. Inclusivity means not having to hide or shrink myself to make others comfortable.” — Anika Amoroso, Operations Associate, Industrious Charlotte
“Inclusivity and pride at Industrious go beyond having a safe space to be out. It’s the consistent peace of mind that comes with knowing the company culture values diversity and demands acceptance above all else. The words be you have never meant more to me.” — Jen Spinosi, Community Manager, Industrious Denver Central Business District
“We celebrate Pride to honor the immense courage it takes to come out to oneself, to one’s loved ones, and to live one’s truth in the world. Also, I want to especially acknowledge that the launchers of the Pride movement were Black and Brown Transwomen. Today, so many years later, Black and Brown Transwomen and Transmen are still the most vulnerable people in our society. So I especially honor them during Pride as the bravest and most resilient people on the planet.
Inclusivity to me means honoring, listening, and respecting the many differences that make up the palette of our communities. That so often means setting aside my preconceptions and my ego in order to listen, to be empathetic, and, sometimes, to be brave. I feel that — in the midst of this cultural revolution we are in, more than ever — we need to be sure we are standing up for each other.” — Marcela Joy, Operations Associate, Industrious Portland
“Pride means being able to be your authentic self, being proud of who you are, and standing up for yourself every time someone questions your pride. I’m proud of who I am because I’m a part of a unique community with the same struggle, all fighting for the same goal: ‘Equality for all.’” — Chad Hunter, Operations Associate, Industrious Bethesda
“Pride is a celebration of your unique existence and the beautiful and complex experiences of those around you. It is a timeless appreciation of freedom and the audacity to be yourself.” — Clifton Lyons, Operations Associate, Industrious Chicago Fulton Market