Celebrating WorldPride with myGwork
March 6, 2023The eighth WorldPride celebration took place in Sydney, Australia this year, with hundreds of events, parades and parties to attend. Here at myGwork, we wanted to join in with the spirit of the celebrations too, so we reached out to team members and partners of the business community reached out to talk about LGBTQ+ figures that have inspired them in life.
From sports figures, to writers, to activists, a whole unique range of incredible LGBTQ+ individuals were chosen because of the profound impact they’ve had on other members of the community, and on wider society. Here is a roundup of all the participants and their selected LGBTQ+ figures.
Image Credit: Canva
George Wright, Head of Community Engagement at myGwork, chose to celebrate campaigner and journalist Linda Riley as his choice of LGBTQ+ icon.
“Linda has fought tirelessly for LGBTQ+ rights and representation, especially for marginalized and underrepresented groups within our community," he said. "Whilst so much LGBTQ+ representation feels predominantly white, gay and cis, Linda has championed women and non-binary people, especially lesbians and bisexuals and people of color, to reclaim the spaces that are rightfully theirs.”
Michi Raymond, Business Development Director at myGwork, selected rock musician Melissa Etheridge as the LGBTQ+ icon that has had a profound impact on her.
“Not only is she a multi-Grammy winner, Oscar winner, mother and cancer survivor, she’s no stranger to taking risks," she explained. "In 1993, she came out publicly as a lesbian. As she was one of the first Top 40 artists to do so, she helped pave the way for artists around the world, including myself, to do the same.”
Dylan Mann-Hazell, Content Writer and Marketing Intern for myGwork, selected television scriptwriter Russell T Davies as his choice of inspirational figure.
“He provided me with so much of the representation that helped me feel normal growing up," said Dylan. "In particular, his show It’s a Sin was fundamental in teaching me about an important part of our community’s history, which was otherwise ignored by schools and other media.”
Devin Ibañez, Customer Success Manager for myGwork, chose heroic rugby player Mark Bingham as the inspirational figure that stood out to him.
“Mark Bingham was an openly gay rugby player who was among the people who overthrew the hijackers on 9/11," he explained. "He gave his life to save thousands of other lives and he showed that being a gay athlete doesn’t make you any less-than.”
Sage Kuo, Events Manager at myGwork, spoke about the direct inspiration politician Audrey Tang has had on her confidence.
“She’s the first openly out transgender cabinet member politician in the world," said Sage. "Her courage to come out, even when society was really unfriendly 20 years ago, has always been an encouragement for me to be true to who I am.”
Alejandro Villalobos, Marketing Director for myGwork, selected professional skater Jorge Luis Martinez as his choice of LGBTQ+ role model.
“His biggest achievement for the LGBTQ+ community was in 2019 during the Pan American Games, where after securing a bronze medal, he flew the LGBTQ+ flag alongside the Mexican flag when doing his victory lap," he said. "He became the first openly gay Mexican elite athlete.”
Thomas Leigh-Eldredge, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ UK Inclusion Network at WTW, celebrated WorldPride by speaking about the profound impact drag icon RuPaul has had on the LGBTQ+ community.
“Looking back to just a decade ago, LGBTQ+ representation in the media was brief, high level and quite often stereotypical," said Thomas. "Turn to today, RuPaul and in particular Drag Race have brought an authentic look into the LGBTQ+ community and the struggles, challenges, successes and everything in between that it faces.”
Dominika Navratilova, Marketing Executive at myGwork, shared her LGBTQ+ icon – activist Lenny Emson.
“Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lenny and Kyiv Pride have been working tirelessly to protect and support the LGBTQ+ people of Ukraine," explained Dominika. "He has also highlighted soldiers and volunteers of the community and their brave actions.”
Laila El Metoui, Equity Educator at LemEducation, extended her support towards 'unsung heroes' of the LGBTQ+ community helping to make the world a better place.
“I would like to showcase the unsung heroes of our community because of the profound impact they have on the people they support every day," she said. "Frontline workers, working for charities, volunteers, and all of the allies who contribute to building a better world – I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support and allyship you give our community.”
Joining us from Spain, Miguel Garzón, Country Manager at myGwork, reached out to share his LGBTQ+ icon. He chose Czech professional footballer, Jakub Jankto, as his inspirational figure.
"I’d like to honor a figure who came out just three weeks ago and spoke openly about his sexuality. We’re talking about Czech footballer Jakub Jankto who took a great stride forward to reveal his true identity – and I hope – someone that will become a great role model for the rest of world."
Ignacio Parrondo from myGwork also discussed the LGBTQ+ icon who has inspired him. He spoke about the impact Stranger Things actor, Noah Schnapp, has had on him.
"I’d like to nominate Noah Schnapp who came out of the closet more recently, as I think he’s a great role model especially for the younger LGBTQ+ people."
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