I’m free to be me

When I say I’m ‘free to be me,’ I don’t mean it lightly.

Here’s why Pride Month still matters in 2025.

I’ve thought a lot about how to share this post. Pride Month can be complicated — some see corporate involvement as tokenistic, and I get that. So, I paused to reflect on what this month really means to me at work before putting pen to paper.

I’ve been with Escient for over three years now, and in that time, it’s become more than a job — it feels like home. I’m surrounded by people who genuinely care, who listen, and who accept me without hesitation.

Society has shifted a lot — and it’s easy to forget that this hasn’t always been the case. I’ve been lucky. I’ve never experienced outright homophobia in the workplace. Whether anything was said behind my back or decisions were made based on my sexuality, I’ll never know—and I try not to dwell on it.

Back in the ’90s and early 2000s, when I was starting out, I treaded carefully. I’d use gender-neutral words like “partner” or steered clear of personal topics. Not out of fear — just habit. A quiet kind of self-protection. If you’ve ever felt the need to edit yourself, you’ll understand.

Those habits are now behind me — especially at Escient. I talk openly about my life, my relationship, my weekend plans — without filtering. No awkward pauses. No overcompensating. Just… normal. I’m free to be me. And isn’t that what most people want?

As a consultant, I often walk into new organisations not knowing how I’ll be received. That uncertainty doesn’t disappear entirely. Even now, there’s still a flicker of hesitation before I say, “my husband.” A moment where I instinctively check the room. Maybe it’s a generational reflex — or just part of being visible. But it’s a reminder that even in 2025, this still matters.

At Escient, we talk a lot about living our values — courage, empathy, selflessness, and creativity. This year’s Pride Month theme — Love. Respect. Empower. — feels especially meaningful because it mirrors the values I experience every day at Escient. 

Love 💜

• Empathy – Seeing people for who they are, not just what they do.
• Selflessness – Creating space where others feel safe, seen, and supported.

Respect 💙

• Courage – Standing up as an ally, even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Empathy – Listening and learning without judgment.

Empower ❤️

• Creativity – People do their best work when they can be authentic.
• Courage – Sometimes, just being yourself is the bravest act of all.

Pride is more than rainbow logos or parade floats. It’s about visibility, dignity, and freedom — to live, work, and love without shrinking yourself.

Pride began in the U.S. as a response to oppression — sparked by the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. What started as protest became a global movement for equality. And yet, even now, progress is not guaranteed.

So yes — Pride is a celebration, but it’s also still a protest. We’re not here to provoke for the sake of it. We just want to be heard, valued, and free to be who we are. Pride doesn’t diminish anyone else’s value — it acknowledges those who’ve historically been pushed aside.

The month of June gives us time to go deeper than surface-level support. Pride events can include:

• Educational talks and panels
• Film screenings
• Mental health campaigns
• Community memorials
• Volunteer opportunities and fundraisers

So, if you’re able to influence workplace culture — as a leader, a peer, or a teammate — your actions matter. You might not see the impact immediately, but someone, somewhere, will feel it. When I say I’m “free to be me,” it’s not just a feel-good phrase. It’s a quiet milestone.
One that everyone deserves to reach.

Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈