Carrying the spirit of Pride in the workplace and beyond

By Yair Montes, WTW

Pride to me is all about visibility and resistance. For me, it’s the quiet courage of coming out for the first time, and the loud celebration of being seen, heard, and valued, just like I feel at WTW. As a gay man, Pride is not just a month or a parade, it’s the reflection of my own journey and identity, and the ongoing fight for inclusion and equality.

I grew up in Mexico, a country full of warmth, tradition, and strong family values but also one where conversations around queerness were often hushed or avoided altogether. As a kid, I didn’t see people like me represented in the media or in everyday life. There was a silence around LGBT+ identities that made it hard to imagine a future where I could live openly and authentically. That silence shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until much later.

I remember the first time I came out to my sister; I was filled with all kinds of emotions. Looking back, I realize that moment was the beginning of a lifelong process of becoming. Coming out is not a one-time event, it’s something that happens again and again: with friends, at work, and most importantly, with myself. I was fortunate to have a loving and supportive family who embraced me without any doubts. That kind of unconditional support is a privilege I recognize and never take for granted, especially knowing that many people face rejection and fear simply being who they are.

But even with the support of my family, my biggest challenge was internal. I carried a lot of internalized homophobia, years of hiding, of trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t me, of being afraid to show who I really was. Pride, for me, became a way to reclaim that lost time. It gave me the strength to take up space, to be visible, and to speak up - not just for me, but for others who are still finding their voice.

Attending my first Pride event was transformative. There was something incredibly powerful about being surrounded by people who were unapologetically themselves. The colors, the music, the joy, it created something more than a celebration. It was a declaration. The sense of belonging and being part of something bigger than myself has stayed with me ever since.

Today, I carry the spirit of Pride into every part of my life, especially at work at WTW. I’m lucky to be part of a workplace that values inclusion, where I can be myself without fear. Not only that, but I’ve had the opportunity to help organize events and lead initiatives that promote LGBT+ visibility and equity. Being able to contribute in that way, to create spaces where others feel seen and supported, just as I have, is one of the most meaningful parts of my professional life.

Pride is still important because the fight is not over. Yes, we’ve made progress, we have more representation, more acceptance, and more policies that protect our rights. But there’s still work to do. Pride reminds us that inclusion should never be taken for granted, that visibility is a form of resistance, especially in a world where many still face violence, discrimination, or erasure.

Pride is also a reminder that joy is powerful. Celebrating who we are, in all our complexity and beauty, is an act of hope. Pride is about honoring those who came before us, those who fought for the rights we have today, and those who are still fighting. It’s about making sure the next generation grows up in a world where they don’t have to hide, where they can love freely, and where they know they are enough.

For me, Pride is personal. It’s the journey from silence to voice, from fear to confidence, from invisibility to presence. It’s about showing up - for myself, for my community, and for the future we’re building together.