No-one raises an eyebrow.
And that is really unusual.
As a queer woman from Poland, I felt forced to leave my own country to find a place I could call home. Where I could be myself, where I could walk hand in hand in with my wife feeling both safe and proud.
I’m delighted to say I found that here in the UK, next I had to find that in a place of work.
I’m now Project Manager at IT Naturally, a company that prides itself on its human-centric values. As a company rule, there were no questions asked or boxes to tick when I was hired as to my gender, sexual identity, title or relationship status.
Instead, the company has created an environment where I felt completely safe coming out. People assume that you only come out once, but you don’t, you come out every single day, but in this team, it just felt natural to me to be who I am, I didn’t have a second thought about talking about it with my colleagues.
No-one raises an eyebrow at me here, everyone at home in Poland does. So now I call Coventry my home, as I can be myself and feel safe, but it breaks my heart that I could not have that in Gdansk, and I miss so much about it daily.
Everyone at IT Naturally is an ally, they support and accept me and the LGBTQ+ movement without hesitation. It was unusual for me to be able to take my wife to the Christmas party and for us both to feel welcome – and that was in my first week of work so what a start that was for me.
Pride month is really special to me personally, not only do we try and visit one of the large Pride events in Coventry or Birmingham, but it is also my wedding anniversary.
The photo is of our Wedding Day (28/06/2021) in the beautiful Coventry Cathedral ruins, it was a COVID wedding, but we knew it needed to happen during Pride Month.
This year I can celebrate my wedding anniversary, Pride month and feeling accepted without anyone raising an eyebrow is the best way to celebrate.
Pride month is an annual observance held in many countries around the world to celebrate and raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and others) community. It typically takes place in the month of June. Pride month commemorates the Stonewall riots, which occurred in June 1969 in New York City. These riots were a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and marked a turning point in the fight for equality and acceptance.
During Pride month, various events, parades, rallies, and activities are organized by LGBTQ+ communities and allies to promote inclusivity, diversity, and the recognition of the rights and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. Pride celebrations often involve vibrant parades, colourful displays, performances, educational workshops, art exhibitions, and community gatherings.
Pride month aims to foster a sense of pride, solidarity, and visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as to advocate for equal rights, social acceptance, and the eradication of discrimination and prejudice. It is an opportunity for people to come together, support each other, and promote understanding and respect for all sexual orientations and gender identities.
