Pride Month at BNY Mellon

by Ronan Kelly (he/him/his)

Lead Analyst, Client & Product Integration

BNY Mellon | Pershing

 

Pride is the time that the LGBTQ+ community pauses to celebrate its identity. 

Originally set up to commemorate the Stonewall riots of 1969, Pride is now marked around the world. I hope that, by splashing rainbow colours everywhere and generating outrageous levels of noise, it signals loud and clear to LGBTQ+ people everywhere that they are part of a diverse and vibrant community that will always welcome them. This is important, especially for young people and those living in isolated areas or less tolerant countries. 

I lived in Sydney for a year in my late 20s and will never forget the Sydney Mardi Gras. I had naively thought that St. Patrick's Day marches were pretty much as good as these parades got, but Mardi Gras quickly disillusioned me of that. From the first thunderous roar of the legendary lesbians on their motorcycles, the parade was a riot of colour, floats, dancing with loads of Aussie humour throughout. The parade itself was also just the centrepiece, the Mardi Gras included numerous cultural events and one almighty post-parade party. For me it brought home what Pride was, what the community meant and how well it fitted into broader society.   

Of course LGBTQ+ people will always be a minority and, depending on the location, the degree to which we can live as our authentic selves will differ. Even in broadly tolerant cities like New York or London, for many people in religious or conservative communities living openly must be daunting and may require hard sacrifices to be made. Sadly the threat of hate crime has not gone away either. In Ireland, two gay men were murdered this April in terrible homophobic attacks. 

That is why a supportive LGBTQ+ community which includes allies is so powerful. There is strength in unity and collaboration. As with every year, PRISM -- BNY Mellon’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group – recognizes Pride Month in June with a range of events across different locations. This year's global marquee event ("Creating an LGBTQ+ Family") features a discussion about the development of the modern family, the evolving needs of the LGBTQ+ family and the support they need. 

Have a great Pride 2022!

 

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BNY Mellon Poland, celebrating PRIDE month

 

 

BNY Mellon London Drag Cabaret event, 2021