Pride.
As a member of the queer community, I have to say I don’t think it’s something that automatically enters your consciousness the minute you come out. Maybe it does, for some. And I hope it does for those who are younger than me. But, I have a hunch that for most of us, pride is a learned (and earned) philosophy or behavior. It certainly is an ongoing lesson for me.
When I was living in New York and participating in protests, working with the Human Rights Campaign, and fighting for marriage equality, I always felt as though I was fighting for the rights of others – not my own.
Every year, friends would try to drag me to pride events and the parade, and I never wanted to go. I don’t think I wanted to see happy or committed queer couples or people celebrating their (and each others’) expression because, well, maybe I didn’t believe I deserved that level of comfort. After all, I'd grown up in a society in which that was the loudest message. How could I not believe it?
But when I did finally make it to my first pride event in 2010 (dragged there by a straight friend), the first thing I noticed was all the allies. I saw straight families with kids holding signs for their teachers, siblings, aunts, and uncles. Mothers danced alongside their babies, and fathers whistled for their kids, too. I saw people from every walk of life, every kind of socio-economic and cultural background supporting one another.
Now, there may be nothing harder to eclipse than a rainbow, but all I seem to remember from that first parade were the faces of the families and friends cheering on their queer people. Maybe then, for the first time, I started to believe in pride. For me, the allies lining the parade route – and the allies in my own life – made all the difference. They still do.
To mark Pride Month with Automox this year, we’ve cobbled together some thoughts, experiences, and expressions from our queer team members and allies. I consider this blog a gift from my coworkers and I hope you get a ton out of it too – not the least of which may be laughs, resources, and some killer tracks to dance to.
Have you had an experience at work where an ally surprised you with their support?
I came out, reluctantly and awkwardly, to my older coworker who was trying to set me up with a boy she knew. She responded with, “You don’t need to blush about it, it’s ok!” And I knew I didn’t have to be worried about her judging me after that.
- Erica Harrison Sr. Web Dev, Marketing (she/her/hers)
My manager here at Automox was the first manager I’ve ever had that asked our team our pronouns and encouraged me to write something for our internal team for Pride last year! Ally of the Year!!
- Melissa Heaney, Sr. AR Analyst
In all my previous jobs, I was never openly out to my coworkers, and would only come out to certain people who I got to know well. It was always vibes I got from company leadership, comments coming from coworkers, or just the part of the country I was in that led me to never be comfortable being myself. During the pandemic, I took a break from work to go back to school to get a degree that was more in line with where I wanted my career to go. After getting my degree and a job offer from Automox, I made a LinkedIn post thanking everyone who supported me during school and the job hunt and specifically called out my partner Bo for his support and encouragement. On my first day here, I had a virtual lunch with my boss, VP, and a few others from the department. During our conversations, my VP said “Kyle, I saw in your LinkedIn post that you’re in a relationship. Tell us about that!” While it was a seemingly small gesture from his point of view, that simple invitation to be myself on day one removed all the anxiety around how much I should share, when I should drop tidbits about myself, etc. I got to be my authentic self from the day I started, and that has made an incredible impact on me.
- Kyle King, Financial Operations Analyst II (he/him/his)
How does queer culture inform where you choose to work?
Solving hard problems is hard. But solving hard problems is also what makes our work interesting. And when you're lucky enough to solve hard problems with people you value and trust, solving hard problems can also be fun. Most spend nearly 1/3 of their lives working; we should seek to enjoy it! For me, a truly inclusive work environment makes all this possible.
- Brian Wleklinski, Senior Manager, Growth & Digital • Product Growth (he/him/his)
It’s vital to me that the company I work for supports and celebrates queer culture. I previously worked somewhere that was so against LGBTQIA+ rights and that created a huge internal conflict for me. I learned that alignment with my values is central to my happiness in the workplace and I will never compromise that ever again.
- Amelia Vacante, Senior Instructional Designer (she/her/hers)
Unfortunately, I learned a lesson about finding openness and diversity in the workplace firsthand. I worked for a terrible supplement company before joining forces with Automox. We were pushing muscle growth and testosterone-enhancing pills – among other things. I worked hard to define a modern take on masculinity that hinged on the power to protect your loved ones. A few days before I left the company, I was given a note to rewrite that copy with a strong misogynistic tone. I couldn’t do it. DEI initiatives played a huge part in my feeling comfortable accepting my current role. And the big gift was that I work with some fabulous queer people now and some spectacular allies.
- Jon Levenson, Technical Content Writer/Editor (he/him/his)
Why is it important to you to act as a queer ally?
Everyone deserves to be treated with love and respect regardless of our differences, and I think our differences are what make the world interesting, unique, and exciting. I love getting to know people and their individual experiences. That’s what makes us human!
- Isabel Coberly, Assistant General Counsel
In a world that is full of so much hate, anger, judgment, and selfishness, why wouldn’t we celebrate, support, encourage, and protect something that represents the best feeling in the whole world… LOVE!!! We should never deny something that unites people and brings us together as one – regardless of who someone loves. Love is such a positive, happy feeling that every human being needs to be able to feel comfortable embracing it externally and internally. As Ru Paul says, “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love anybody else?” I truly believe this statement. If we all stand by love and support love between each other (regardless of gender or race), we’ll evolve for the better and society can finally represent the big bright rainbow (full of unique individuals celebrating their differences and purposes on Earth) without all the unnecessary negativity and hate. Everyone is entitled to their own life and how they choose to live it, so long as there is no harm done to themselves or others. I’ll always support, protect, and stand by anything that represents LOVE and PRIDE! 🙂
- Alexa Banda, Events Marketing Coordinator Specialist
I am a firm believer that every single person deserves to live in an inclusive and understanding society. I have three kids that I demonstrate my allyship to regularly, encouraging them to be allies, and making sure they know that they are loved for who they are.
- Melissa Ervin, Total Rewards Manager (she/her/hers)
As an ally I have a role in this world to ensure that I support and advocate for the rights, dignity, and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community. Supporting and advocating to me means that I am continuously educating myself and committed to learning (and at times unlearning embedded behaviors) about experiences, and challenges and gaining a better understanding of individual experiences. Through these learnings, I advocate for change through my actions personally and professionally.
- Teri Keller, Vice President, People
Because we all deserve to be who we are and love who we want, without judgment or hate. It’s as simple as that.
- Liz Ozust, Manager, People Partner (she/her/hers)
I want the world (or at the very least the US) to be a safer, healthier, more equitable, and friendlier place for queer people. I will continue to use my voice and my vote to ensure every person has equal rights.
- Lisa McEachern, Senior Director, Account Management (she/her/hers)
Who’s your queer hero and why?
Billy Porter. Billy came out at a young age and has endured a lot as a gay Black man. He has challenged definitions of masculinity and has become an iconic Broadway performer.
- Liz Ozust, Manager, People Partner (she/her/hers)
Brandi Carlile, duh. Like do we even need an explanation here? Her music touches the deepest parts of the soul. I highly recommend her book (have to listen to it on audio, so good!)
- Isabel Coberly, Assistant General Counsel
Karamo Brown. Karamo spent the formative years of his career working as a licensed social worker and psychotherapist. Whenever he coaches someone, you can sense his deep empathy and understanding of social pressures. As challenging as it may be for him with any given guest on Queer Eye, he finds his way to the heart of the matter. He educates me on better communication practices and allows me to forgive bits of myself every time he offers insight. Plus, he’s the affirmative voice of my WAZE app! Now, even when I make a wrong turn, it feels so right!
- Jon Levenson, Technical Content Writer/Editor (he/him/his)
I greatly respect Lil Nas X’s advocacy at the intersection of orientation, race, and culture. Many heroes have paved the way for him and he doesn’t take his platform for granted.
- Brian Wleklinski, Senior Manager, Growth & Digital • Product Growth (he/him/his)
Happy Pride!
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