June = Pride Month, and is more important than ever.

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The text below was something that I was NOT originally going to post on Virtual Geek, and was in an email I sent out at the beginning of June.  

The events in Orlando have made me think a big longer, and I think it’s warranted to continue the dialog externally.    There’s a lot of hate and violence in the world.   Hate and violence makes us all smaller.  Love, empathy, perspective, pursuit of excellence – and ultimately playing the longer game – these are the things that lift people and society upwards.  

My thoughts, condolences are with the victims, their friends and families.   It reminded me how important it is for us to keep publicly fighting for equality and embrace of diversity.  

If you think of the hatred/madness that led a loser to kill 50 people vs. the innocent friendship and love of people partying and having fun on a late saturday night/sunday morning – weigh in your own heart whether we have a long way to go….

As I noted in the email – I know not everyone will agree with my comments below, and that’s OK.  In fact, I picked up the phone and talked to many of them 1:1.  Some didn’t agree on the basis of religious reasons, or a point of view that these topics simply shouldn’t be discussed.  In some parts of the world (Russia, parts of the middle east) the societal view is markedly different than the majority of the world (which has been moving on this topic over the last decade).   Some felt that they in turn are being ostracized because of their view.   I would (and do) vigorously defend their right to disagree with me – and in working on my own empathy, I learn and adapt/evolve.

At EMC locations around the world, this month we are flying Pride month flags – and they are at half-mast, but still flying proudly.

so – for those of you interested, read on…

</PSA WARNING>

Empathy is a powerful force.  When you can imagine being in someone else’s mind, you can see the world from their point of view, even when you don’t agree –that understanding can be potent, and is the beginning of expanding your worldview.  I’ve found this is even more true when you have empathy for people who don’t think the same way you do, or you think wouldn’t be empathetic to you.

Some of you may know that along with my good friend Kathrin Winkler, I’m one of the exec sponsors of the EMC LGTBA circle.  I know that cultural views on LGBTA topics vary around the world, within the team – and I empathize.  I also know that some may view public service announcement as politicized, but from my eyes is a simple question of fairness, equal opportunity for all.   

June being Pride Month - it’s also a good time for us to reflect on what diversity means for us, for the people around us.   In the same way that my posts regarding International Women’s Day have triggered dialog, I suspect this might create some dialog – it’s A-OK that not everyone will agree with me.  Dialog, debate, discussion is what moves society forward – especially with people who disagree, not the circle of people that validate your pre-existing opinions (and this is true almost on every topic).

I’ll give you another example that was a real surprise to me that it became a hot topic issue – and it’s interesting in that it might give you empathy.  It’s fascinating to see the drama play out about an issue I never knew existed – transgender bathrooms.   I was at the airport flying from Toronto to Sydney and as global travelers know, sometimes you need to be “on” with work right when you land, and so need to freshen up right there at the airport with a quick shower before a long customer-focused day.   This was the sign on the bathroom and it made me think for a moment.

Where did the issue of transgender bathrooms appear all of a sudden appear?   When I was in university, all the bathrooms are totally unisex.   In fact as global travelers know – there are countries where the idea of a non-unisex bathroom makes them say “huh?” as all bathrooms are unisex.   When I was in NYC and the Bay Area and when into hip restaurants, they had unisex bathrooms.

So why has this popped up recently?   Has there been a secret epidemic of villains sneaking into bathrooms and I just never knew about it – and we need to stop them from “preying on the innocent”?  Or perhaps it is it a case where demagogues are playing to people’s fears and prejudices for their own ulterior motives?   Is this really something that warrants the attention and noise that it’s getting?   Aren’t there more pressing issues we face as citizens of neighborhoods, countries, as citizens of the world?   I actually have empathy for people who disagree…. But why did this come up – all of a sudden?

Is perhaps the reason why it’s come up is that the topic represents a case where people are strangely afraid of people who are different?   Perhaps people are feeling anxious over the social changes that seem to be happening around the globe?   Why do we fear different, why do we fear change?   We’re all different, and that’s a good thing.

Like it or not – fear of “different” is alive and well (transgender bathroom drama being a strange and transient moment on the journey), that’s why it is always a good time to think about diversity.  Pride month (for me) is less about LGTBA (though I think I might be in the minority J ) – rather it’s a simple moment to be proud and celebrate our differences.

As we’ve been working to make VCE more integrated into the whole of EMC – I keep reiterating a principle which is actually a generalized idea:

Being DIFFERENT is good, being DISTINCT is fantastic (in ways that we can see, and ways we can’t), but we are strongest and do the most TOGETHER to do more, and being SEPARATE only weakens us. 

Across EMC, our Employee Circles take action to reinforce our commitment to diversity and inclusion – in all sorts of forms. 

On Saturday, June 11, EMC marched in the Boston Pride parade, and likewise, if you’re in London, you can join EMC for London Pride on Saturday, June 25^th, 1 p.m. BST (British Summer Time) as we parade down the streets of London. We welcome spouses, partners, family, children, friends, colleagues and others in a show of support for a fairer society and inclusion for all.

You even get a really fashionable tee-shirt for joining us.  Just let us know you’re attending by emailing pride@emc.com and we will reserve your highly sought out shirt!

London LGBT and Community Pride Parade’s theme this year is called #nofilter. It celebrates the spirit of Pride and asks you to Live your life as you.
Many LGBT+ people feel the need to filter their behaviour, to self-censor or to hide who they are. Well, not today. We’re encouraging people to live as themselves, nothing more, nothing less.
Last year, EMC marched in front of over a million people on the streets of London. More than 200 groups and 30,000 people made up the biggest ever Pride in London Parade – we can make it even more fun this year.

Thanks all (including those that respectfully disagree with me), and have empathy for each other, be good to each other, and revel in our collective diversity in all forms.