Celebrating Pride: The power of inclusive communities

We believe in celebrating diversity and advocating for a world where everyone can live authentically and be their true selves without fear of discrimination.?

In this spirit, one of our employees, Sherilyn Ooi , Product Manager, Priceless Team, shared a poignant personal account during the recent Christopher Street Day (CSD) Parade in Berlin. CSD celebrates LGBTQ+ pride and advocates for the rights and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Sherilyn’s personal narrative is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by many in the LGBTQ+ community, and the need for societal and legislative change. Read her account below - and consider the impact of your own choices and the collective effort required to create a global society where love and acceptance can prevail.

Sherilyn’s Speech

Two years ago I went to Copenhagen for a wedding. It was rainy and dreary, but I remember how beautiful it was in the city hall, watching my two friends getting married. The special thing for me was that it was my first gay wedding, and both my friends had left their home country in order to be together. Where they’re from, there is no legal marriage for gay couples, and homosexuality is criminalized.?

Let’s think about that for a second. Imagine leaving your family, friends, community and country to be with someone you love. To authentically be yourself requires you to leave everything you’ve known behind, because you are not welcome. This is what it means to not be accepted.

Why does this happen? It happens largely due to discriminatory policies. Policies which are enacted by the government, who are chosen by the people. And not everyone gets to choose what impacts them. I live in Germany, but because I’m not a citizen, I can’t vote on who enacts policies, even though I will be impacted by them.

So for those who can vote, vote wisely. Your power is beyond what you can imagine, as your choices impact far more than just yourself. For those who can’t, there are many ways to contribute: we can donate our time and energy to causes that help build a more inclusive society. We can provide support and education to our family and friends. There are many things beyond our control, but we are not as powerless as we think.

As for my friends, they ended up moving to another country where its laws and society accept them for who they are. Isn’t that what we all want in the end? To be loved, to belong and to be accepted for who we are. The power to build such an inclusive and diverse society lies within our hands. Let’s not let it go to waste, and let’s get to work.?

#DiversityAndInclusion #Pride #Lifeatcommercetools