Juan Francisco Blanco on his first Pride experience

Juan Francisco Blanco, Business Applications Engineer in CDS, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, spoke to myGwork about celebrating Pride for the first time. Juan also offers advice for people who are also first-timers attending Pride.

What does celebrating Pride mean to you?

The Pride celebration acquires a vindication approach in which the objective becomes to achieve equality in society. At present, society is at a very advanced point, but that does not imply that we should not continue advancing because what is sought is respect and equal treatment of all people regardless of gender or orientation or any other bias that pigeonholes people. At the end of the day, the aim is to promote values of respect that allow us to build a world in which each person feels that they are accepted and that they have their place.

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What is your most memorable Pride experience so far?

Last year was the first time I attended the Pride demonstration in Madrid, and the truth is that although it was the first experience, I think it is and will be the most memorable. CDS offered me the opportunity to attend with more co-workers representing the company, and the truth is that going and breathing that atmosphere of freedom in which everyone could express themselves freely without fear of the current biases was a very positive feeling. And to add to that, the value of being with my co-workers, with whom I feel like family, and that made the feeling even more incredible.

Looking ahead to next year, what do you hope will be accomplished in relation to LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance?

I think that the most important thing when we talk about progress, first of all, should be respect and foster an environment in which confrontation takes a back seat; the most important thing is to maintain the basis of the community in which a free space is built in which all people are accepted and feel within the community freedom, comfort of being free and being able to express themselves as they want without fear of encountering the typical restrictions that may appear in the day to day.

What advice would you offer to first-time attendees of Pride to enhance their experience?

First of all, I would ask them to focus on the bases of the community, to forget their fears, the worries and to transmit their thoughts and their claims without fear that they are not accepted after all the Pride is celebrated to demonstrate that there are no unaccepted thoughts if not opinions that may not coincide in its entirety but that surely partially coincide and that goes with the thought that it is a space to express yourself without being judged, where all opinions are welcome.

How can we ensure that Pride is inclusive for everyone within the LGBTQ+ community?

I believe that the best way to include all people is to promote respect and strive to achieve it, always avoiding confrontation and establishing a communication where everyone can express themselves freely.

How has your organization chosen to commemorate Pride this year?

This year, we will continue to strive to uphold our values of safety and freedom by conveying that CDS, a Hewlett-Packard Enterprise company, is a place where all people are welcome and where everyone can express themselves freely.

Do you believe it is important for organizations to celebrate Pride, and if so, why?

Of course, yes, but always on a voluntary basis within each organization, looking for ways to promote a safe workplace, free and open to all people. I think it is positive, and getting involved in Pride I think it is an important point to convey the basis of Pride within the organization. That will make the atmosphere at work much better for all employees as it transmits a sense of security to employees.

If an organization is celebrating Pride for the first time, what tips or recommendations would you provide to ensure a successful and meaningful celebration?

The first thing they would advise you to do is to do it from within the company, relying voluntarily on their employees who are willing to collaborate, as it will make the employees see that it is an initiative of the company itself and that they are important within the organization, ensuring that it is an initiative of all and for all. From there, I would tell them not to get overwhelmed with preparations since the objective of attending the celebration is to transmit a feeling of security, as I have already mentioned, both inside and outside the company.