LGBTQ+ Pride all year!

In 2013, I’d just started my internship at a company and felt enthusiastic about the possibilities and the new path ahead of me. I had already been on a great journey of self knowledge. I’ve identified as a gay man since I was very young. What was different in me was very clear for myself, and I started to love it and understand that other people were different as well.

Difference can be understood in the perspective of the social markers of difference, which explains how inequality and hierarchies among people are socially created and will define our access to opportunities, treatment, spaces and even our physical integrity. In addition, our unconscious is stronger and faster than conscious; from the 11 million bits of information processed every second, only 5% to 10% is conscious, which requires us to constantly review our biases.

This is how I understood the importance of a diversity agenda in sync with my values. My first work experiences had been at conservative companies which had no diversity initiatives. I soon realized how people’s prejudice and lack of knowledge would make me feel uncomfortable when I had to face inconsiderate comments, harassment, and a frustration for not being able to express my true self in the workplace.??

In this first resilience test, I decided not to give up. If I had been able to overcome challenges in my personal life, why would it be different in my career?

In 2017, my career took a turn for the better, a turning point which helped me become the professional and the person I am today: I took a position working in diversity, equity and inclusion. In this safe environment working with DE&I, I did amazing work and decided my career path would always be focused on diversity.

When I had the opportunity to come to Pipefy, I was confident enough to take it as I had already learned about Pipefy’s diversity initiatives, such as the creation of a diversity agenda with specific groups supporting and advocating for key areas like women, LGBTQIA+, race, ethnicity, parenting, and disabilities.

At Pipefy, I found a place where I can express what is different in me in the same way all honeybadgers, as Pipefy collaborators are affectionately called, are encouraged to do every day. With diversity, equity and inclusion, everyone can benefit from different perspectives, creativity and innovation, problem solving, turnover reduction, better decisions, and results. This is why I am sure I really belong at this place.?

During LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, I think it’s extremely important to share this message. Creating a healthy and safe workplace is possible and needed, and companies and society will only benefit from it.

Written by Giordano Bruno Perly, HR Business Partner at Pipefy.