Pride Month has passed, but the conversations need to continue year-round. Our commitment to these conversations remains strong as we continue to explore, understand, and change. It is our hope that they will drive change and create more equality and inclusivity. We believe in celebrating people, and we want to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community at Technicolor and everywhere.
Here’s what many of our colleagues in India shared: Pride is a celebration of identity. We also had a range of thought-provoking perspectives from hundreds of our colleagues.
When it comes to inclusion, this is what we heard:
Pride to me means a space where everyone can be themselves without inhibition or discrimination, and a community that accepts you as you are. We want acceptance at all levels for people irrespective of what gender they identify with or what sexual orientations they have. Pride for me is inclusion, acknowledging, and more importantly, accepting someone’s true self.
Pride helps us recognize where we are today in the movement for equality for all people – no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. This means showing support to the LGBTQ+ community whenever possible and celebrating the progress that’s been made as a community. Pride is also about fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting a society where everyone can live and love without fear of discrimination or prejudice. It is based on the history of this community and it’s also a reminder for everyone that it’s okay to be themselves, and society needs to move beyond the obsession with heterosexuality. Everyone should be able to embrace their authentic self. It is a powerful reminder of the progress made and the work that still needs to be done to create a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
Pride is both a celebration of inclusivity and a remembrance of the hard work, dedication, and struggles that took place to get them to where they are today. We recognize the hardship of the sexually marginalized communities of India and celebrate them. There is no gender for true love, and we need to focus on less unnecessary labeling and more inclusion – ensuring we are united.
Equality was and remains a key theme in this conversation:
Pride is about reinforcing equal rights for all people, ensuring acceptance and equality for all, which involves self-respect, and respect for others.
This has a role in all spheres of life. Family is a key cornerstone of society and normalizing all family types – parents and children of all identities and orientations in India is very important. A part of that is the ability and freedom to be who I am and openly love the persons I choose without stigma and shame.
To be considered equal irrespective of sexual orientation or any other part of your identity for that matter. Pride always means equality, no matter who you are. There should be no restrictions or bias based on a person’s identity, gender or their sexual orientation.
People should have freedom of expression and freedom from social oppression – everyone can be who they are. Not being discriminated against based on your race, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation.
Pride is to bring to forefront a community that is overlooked and underrepresented. It fills the dire need to bring awareness to the community’s right of life and living and helps reduce the fear of rejection because there is more solidarity, collectivity, and acceptance of identity as well as resistance to discrimination and violence.
Equality also supports greater self-expression, and this was echoed by many people:
Pride is self-affirmation, dignity, equality for all. Pride for me is about being able to appreciate who I am and what I am – being yourself and being comfortable with your identity is crucial. We need acceptance and love ourselves, knowing we are the best version of whatever nature has sculpted us as living beings in this universe. Feeling proud and happy without restrictions is a part of it and not worrying what others will think of you. So is the consciousness of one’s own dignity, and living a life that is authentic and true to who you are inside without shame.
Someone else shared: to me it’s the hope to unapologetically be myself, to celebrate the diverse nature of self-identities.
It’s love without shame and fear of social ostracization, and remembering those who have fought for our rights, the people we have lost, the friends and found families we made, and the knowledge that things do get better. We should continue to show our support to those who are doing their best to improve the lives of the queer community, regardless of how big or how small the means may be.
That brings us to the fact that Pride is a celebration, at Technicolor India, this is what we have to share:
Pride is a celebration of identity. For some, Pride means showing support as an LGBTQ+ ally. This includes the celebration and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions as well as at a personal level – embracing and celebrating one’s authentic self, regardless of societal norms or expectations. Pride is about recognizing and affirming the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals. Pride is for celebrating the progress that’s been made as a community.
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