Pride month was a month of acknowledgment and celebration at Marqeta. This year Marqeta’s MQ Proud Employee Resource Group (ERG) chose the theme Defiantly Prideful & Joyful. Being defiantly prideful and joyful means that despite efforts to oppress the LGBTQIA+ Communities’ voices, rights, and existence, we boldly choose to be proud of our identities and to remain joyous in doing so.
MQ Proud, in collaboration with several other of Marqeta’s ERGs, curated events designed to connect Marqetans, and uplift LGBTQIA+ voices, histories, and experiences of the community.
Events held during Pride Month at Marqeta
Among the events held, there was a Children’s Book Story Hour featuring members of MQ Proud, RepresentAsian and our Parent’s ERGs, who read stories celebrating unique identities and drew connections across cultures and amplified the importance of mental health.
Another event hosted by MQ Proud was a virtual short film screening and discussion. The event displayed the works of three LGBTQIA+ filmmakers and shared shorts that portrayed some of the victories and struggles that come with finding love as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. After the screening, members and allies of MQ Proud connected for discussion on the films.
MQ Proud also hosted its 2nd Annual Virtual Pride Trivia to close out the month. Amanda Horner, Customer Vetting Analyst said about the event, “As a competitive person, I am excited to have won Pride Trivia, but I can honestly say I enjoyed learning historical and recent LGBTQIA+ facts even more. I appreciate the MQ Proud ERG team that put the events together this year and am glad to work for a company that embraces and supports its LGBTQIA+ employees!”.
Find a few other quotes below from MQ Proud members about Pride Month and what it means to them.
- “I’m grateful for the MQ Proud group for cultivating an inclusive community and providing engaging activities to connect us across the company for Pride Month and throughout the year. In a time when LGBTQIA+ rights are under attack more than ever, it’s especially been a treat to learn and celebrate with MQ Proud.” - Nicole Woodworth, Senior Settlement Analyst
- “To me, Pride means not only being able to show up and be my true and authentic self everywhere I go but to be able to CELEBRATE this part of me that brings so much joy, beauty, community and love into my life. Being able to show up as authentically within my workplace as I do outside means everything to me. I wouldn’t be able to do my best work or be my best self if I wasn’t allowed to fully exist as such. I hope everyone is feeling as much love as I am this Pride month!” - Jordyn Rarick, People Operations Coordinator
- “We see the many ways in which systems are muting, or attempting to erase our communities. Now more than ever we must stand together, advocate, make a change, while also coming together and sharing energy in the LGBTQIA+ communities that make us beautiful in so many ways.” -Joe Ham, Culture & People Strategy Senior Program Manager
- “To me, pride means being unapologetically myself and celebrating who I am. Pride is a way for me to grow and connect with others through our shared experiences and individual stories. I’m thankful to work for an organization that provides space for the LGBTQIA+ community to be seen.” - Paris Do, Product Designer
Though the month allowed critical moments to connect, learn, and take action, it does not end here. With the month coming to a close, we invite fellow Marqetans and those reading this blog to continue to support, learn, and take action for LGBTQIA+ Communities. To help get you started, we’ve crafted this list as a starting point for you to explore:
Learning Materials
- “LGBTQ Glossary” from John Hopkins University
- “Understanding Gender Identities,” a resource from The Trevor Project
Community Support:
