FIRST PUBLISHED ONLINE AT MYGWORK.COM
Zoe Martin-Pearce, sales colleague at Currys (and new Co-Chair of Pride at Currys ERG) guest writes for myGwork about what Pride means to her - and how we can achieve Pride through community.
My name is Zoe, and I am a sales colleague at Currys. I am also the Co-Chair of our Pride at Currys employee resource group. To me, Pride is more than just a parade or a month-long celebration; it’s a declaration of self-acceptance, love, and the fight for equality. For me, Pride means having the courage to be true to myself, to love openly and without fear, and to keep fighting for a world where everyone is accepted for who they are, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Pride is about celebrating who you truly are. It’s about embracing every part of yourself, even the parts that society might not understand or accept. Growing up, I struggled with accepting my own identity, I worried about being rejected or judged. Through the support and acceptance I found in the LGBTQ+ community, I learned to love myself.
Pride is also about finding a sense of community, the LGBTQ+ community is incredibly diverse, with people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. During Pride, we come together to celebrate our shared stories and to remember the people who fought for the rights we have today. It’s a time to support one another, to understand each other, and to stand together. It is a time to break down barriers and challenging preconditions about the LGBTQ+ community, to take back our rights and to stand proud of the achievements that have been made by the community but to remember why we still fight and how we can continue to create a more inclusive and exciting future.
Pride reminds us that the fight for equality isn’t over. Despite the progress we’ve made, many LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination and violence. Pride is a call to action, a time to raise awareness about these issues and to push for laws and policies that protect everyone’s rights, no matter who they love or how they identify.
Most importantly, Pride is a celebration of love. Love in all its forms, romantic love, friendship, and self-love is at the centre of Pride. It’s about loving without fear or shame and celebrating the beauty in diversity. Pride reminds us that love is powerful and that everyone deserves to love and be loved freely. In a world that often tries to divide us, Pride brings us together. It’s a time to lift each other up, celebrate our shared humanity, and imagine a future where everyone is accepted for who they are. Pride gives us hope and shows us the way to a more inclusive and equal society.
In conclusion, Pride is about being true to yourself, celebrating love, and accepting everyone for who they are. It’s a time to honour the past, celebrate the present, and work towards a better future. We remember how far we’ve come and commit to the work that still needs to be done. A celebration of all the colours and experiences that make us human.