Happy Pride Month from all of us at Jabian! We are excited to feature some of the Jabian Equality Team members to learn more about how they celebrate and embrace their authenticity.
Amy Baltz, Full Charge Bookkeeper
Q: Have you experienced any barriers (personal or professional) and how did you overcome them?
A: It took me most of my twenties to be ‘out’ at work. I didn’t feel safe expressing myself, bringing my partners to work events, or engaging in the corporate culture. When I decided to interview for jobs as ‘Queer’ and ‘Out’ it felt like a heavyweight was lifted. I was no longer performing some caricature of heteronormative society to make it through my work week. I was existing as myself and was more able to focus on my position and duties. With Jabian I have taken a step further than previous positions and offered my pronouns of she and they to my signature, this has been gender-affirming and communicates that I am a safe space for other queer people.
Q: In your opinion, what are some things we can all do to bring awareness to important issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community?
A: I would personally love to see more representation towards awareness of different days of remembrance such as Bisexuality Day on September 23rd or other days that LGBTQIA+ celebrate their orientations, religious holidays from many cultures, and opportunities to engage in roundtable big questions my colleagues might have regarding pronouns or other Queer affirming culture.
Q: How do you celebrate Pride and what does it mean to you?
A: As Ms. Atlanta Eagle 2019 and 2020 I have had the privilege and platform to experience pride in many different cities. Traveling to NYC and participating in Stonewall 50 was an amazing experience full of rainbow flags and a twelve-hour parade. What stood out to me in each event large or small was the plethora of flags. There are so many beautiful identities that fall under the queer rainbow umbrella and seeing the true diversity in the LGBTQIA+ Community. PRIDE for me is celebrating the legal rights we have been granted, continuing to highlight legal inequalities, and reveling in the uniqueness of my community.
Q: What does an inclusive work culture mean to you?
A: Jabian does an excellent job of offering visual representation, even creating video conference backgrounds, and it’s a big part of why I wanted to come work with them. Between Jabian Cares, the Jabian Equality Team, Jabian Women’s Affinity Group, and other spaces celebrating diversity I feel a wonderful sense of inclusion and acceptance. Inclusion comes from education and demonstrating an understanding of the information gleaned so I will always be excited for more learning opportunities in the workplace.
I love to engage in respectful conversations with the goal of mutual edification. As a safe queer space, I am happy to interact with anyone that feels they need such.
Ciara Weathers, Senior Manager
Q: Have you experienced any barriers (personal or professional) and how have you overcome them?
A: I’ve experienced many, but the biggest one that comes to mind is learning to do the ‘work’ within to manage my own expectations, responses, and actions to people rather than being concerned with external factors. I’ve learned to truly value and accept myself fully rather than to seek this outwardly. I’ve had to change how I view myself by constantly challenging the way I think—changing negative thoughts into positive ones.
One of my favorite sayings is from philosopher Lao Tzu: Because one believes in oneself, one does not try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one does not need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.
Q: In your opinion, what are some things we can all do to bring awareness to important issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community?
A: Research and read about what’s happening within the community to develop a sense of awareness. Attend local Pride events, support LGBTQ+ businesses or donate to a charity that supports the community. Don’t be afraid to have meaningful conversations and share with others to raise additional awareness.
Q: How do you celebrate Pride and what does it mean to you?
A: Although I am proud every day, Pride month is when I get to add some flavor to it! I celebrate with friends and family, through food, music, and laughter. Pride to me means being proud of who you are, who you love, and what you love. It’s being bold enough to love and show ALL of you every day and in every way.
Q: What does an inclusive work culture mean to you?
A: To me, an inclusive work culture involves an environment where people feel comfortable enough to bring their true selves to work and not feel judged or singled out for doing so. We’re all different and come from various backgrounds so we should learn to embrace it and see the beauty in it.
Collin Scheible, Manager
Q: How do you celebrate Pride and what does it mean to you?
A: Some years I go to Pride, and other years I relax at home and support charities or use virtual backgrounds on various screens. One year my apartment in Midtown was right along the parade route on Peachtree—that was an unforgettable experience. Post COVID-19, I hope to do some traveling during Pride to some other cities and experience how other countries celebrate.
To me, Pride is threefold; it allows those of us in the community to be ourselves in a celebratory and public way, it gives hope to those who aren’t ready or able to come out safely, and it allows us to remember those we’ve lost along the way.
Q: In your opinion, what are some things we can all do to bring awareness to issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community?
A: I think a bit of understanding and historical knowledge goes a long way because remembering the past helps ensure a better future. The Pink Triangle, Alan Turing, Jane Addams—a lot of people don’t know much about them. The progress made in the past twenty years alone is awe-inspiring.
These days, understanding the difference between political rhetoric and fact is always super important, regardless of which side of the fence you’re on. If you want to be more involved in or learn more about the LGBT+ community, there are great organizations out there of all kinds that can always use volunteers or charitable contributions.
Q: What does an inclusive work culture mean to you?
A: Work should be a place where you can bring your whole self to the table without fear of rebuke. In any case, when you feel accepted and safe you are better able to be productive, which is good for everyone. I’m grateful every day that I’m privileged to be at an organization that allows me to be my authentic self.
Q: Are there any fun facts or things that you’d like to share about Pride that aren’t well known?
A: Many people don’t know that Pride month, while universally celebrated in June, can sometimes vary by city. Atlanta’s official pride is in October, and Charlotte’s is in August. Brussels is in May, while San Diego, London, and a lot of western Europe are in July.
On Pride, generally: It’s important to remember that Pride is a “to each their own” experience. Some people go all out for Pride, while others prefer a quieter experience—and that’s just fine. Whether you compliment the person in public wearing the Pride shirt, buy from a gay-friendly business, wave a small rainbow flag, or like a gay-friendly social media post, any positivity helps.