How has your identity shaped your experience personally or professionally?
I do participate in several LGBTQ+ organizations outside of work and have done advocacy for LGBTQ+ people. As someone who is very fortunate to have a supportive family, I strive to be an advocate for those who don’t have that-especially young people. I also attend Pride events regularly.
Professionally: I work in IP law and one of my attorneys has clients whose specialty is LGBTQ+ services and I have loved working with them. It makes me feel represented in a small way.
“… be yourself. It’s the one thing I’ve learned. It makes me a better worker and person outside of work. ”
What does Pride Month mean to you?
I try to tell people that Pride is about LGBTQ+ people celebrating and asserting both our right to exist freely and openly as well as our continued struggle to attain the same rights as everyone else. It’s especially poignant right now.
What changes — big or small — would you like to see in your workplace or community when it comes to inclusion and support?
I’d like dialogues about topics like allyship and gender expression. I think there is a lot of room for discussion and I’d like to have more openness and with that more open dialogue.
