Steven F. - Bartell's Employee “As a gay man that came of age in the 80s, I am encouraged by the transformation and level of acceptance for the LGBTQT+ community I have seen in my lifetime. As part of the evolution and inclusion, I’ve witnessed in my years on the planet how PRIDE events and parades have gone mainstream. How PRIDE has become community and city-wide celebrations looked forward to and attended by a population more diverse and supportive than I thought possible.
The passing of the Fourteenth Amendment and the right for same-sex couples to marry and be legally recognized across these United States was huge and I believe is a basic human and fundamental right for all.
At the workplace to be out, recognized, seen, valued, and included in discussions of how we address Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace seems inconceivable given the derision and discrimination I and many of the members of the gay community faced as we strove to define our own definitions of Pride.
As we move through Pride Month and then Pride Weekend it is imperative, we remember not to take our country’s evolution for granted while moving into the future with open eyes and an open heart to the entire LGBTQIA+ community. I’m proud of the man I am, the whole entire man, and what I bring to our community and the world beyond.”
Happy PRIDE Month Seattle.