Coming Together – a celebration of Pride

As we push for lasting and meaningful change around race and injustice in our society following the death of George Floyd, we must also be diligent in our work for support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ communities. During Pride month, my hope is that you will join me in showing solidarity with under-represented minority groups around the globe. Of course, it’s not just this month, or this year, but every day that we must be united against any form of intolerance or social injustice. In the current climate, allyship is now more important than ever and we will always support and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of our LGBTQ+ colleagues.

I am proud that a very important part of the core of Deloitte’s culture and business model is the fundamental belief that every employee can make a positive impact on their clients, their peers, and the communities in which they live and work. Furthermore, I am proud to be an ally for my family, my friends, my firm, and my community.

Throughout history, the LGBTQ+ community has constantly had to adjust and overcome crises. Leaders are in a position to make change and create a legacy of leaving their organizations better than when they started. Most recently, the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to protect gay and transgender workers proved that great things are possible through allyship, perseverance, and collaboration.

A very exhilarating (and a bit scary!) moment of my life was two “Pride’s” ago as I had the opportunity to speak at our local (Chicago) Pride rally. I conveyed how Pride is a lifelong celebration of amplifying unique voices, learning from the past, and working toward the future of continued acceptance and growth - and what a privilege it was for me to be there. I’m immensely proud of the way Deloitte has publicly committed to acknowledging and promoting diverse voices in a way that will result in sustained change. Although the country is facing unprecedented upheaval, there is a real opportunity for communities to band together in pursuit of change.

Allyship comes in many forms, but it is born out of a common thought process: I see you, I hear you, and I will use my privilege to uplift you. Allyship isn’t just passive support, but part of our everyday actions - visibly and vocally supporting LGBTQ+ people inside and outside of Deloitte. When we actively invite feedback and ideas from people with skills and experiences that differ from our own, we can learn so much. I encourage everyone to amplify unique voices so that others can hear them too. They may share something you’ve never even considered, and they may say it better than you possibly could.

We now need Pride more than ever. As a leader in our firm, I support and encourage my teams, and everyone I can, to be their most authentic self every day of the year. The LGBTQ+ story is one of strength and resilience - of overcoming adversity in the pursuit of living an honest and fulfilled life. I’m so grateful for the LGBTQ+ voices in my life and will continue to honor them during Pride month and beyond.

In times like these, I really like the words of Mayor Pete Buttigieg who said "You never know who is taking their lead from you. Who is watching you and deciding they can be a little braver, because you have been brave."