If someone had told me seven years ago that I would be walking around the Sydney CBD to a Mardi Gras rehearsal wearing a t-shirt with the word \u2018love\u2019 in rainbow colours on it, I wouldn\u2019t have believed them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The me seven years ago would have packed another shirt to change into. The me seven years ago would have hidden my authentic self \u2014 afraid to be judged because of my sexuality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it was only seven years ago when former colleagues decided not to associate with me in the office when they found out I was gay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seven years on and a lot has changed \u2014 thankfully for me and the wider LGBTQI+ community. I\u2019m fortunate enough to work in a team and for a company that champions diversity in all its rainbow and diverse colours. But it’s not the case for everyone. Given that 61% of LGBTQI+ Australians are not out at work<\/a>, it\u2019s never been more important for businesses to create safe spaces through equality groups and participate in events like Mardi Gras for people to feel comfortable to be their true selves at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Truth be told, it took me a decade until I felt comfortable to attend Sydney\u2019s Mardi Gras in person \u2014 and to finally understand the parade’s significance for the LGBTIQ+ community in its diverse, inclusive and intersectional glory. I was inspired by people in the community and corporate floats and wanted to learn more, get involved and even work for the organisations someday. In fact, it’s one of the reasons I joined Salesforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These days I know exactly what to think about Mardi Gras and why it\u2019s important to support it each year \u2014 the parade is a beacon of equality, inclusion and intersectionality. And I couldn\u2019t be prouder to co-lead Salesforce\u2019\u2019s 2022 Mardi Gras entry into the parade together with Alanna Woodrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year, our Mardi Gras theme \u2018Team Pride\u2019 aligned closely to what Salesforce stands for: coming together as a team to create change. It\u2019s how we show up each day as a business and it\u2019s how we show up at Mardi Gras. Nothing says \u201cthere is no \u2018I\u2019 in team\u201d more than 40 Outforce (our Diversity & Inclusion group for the LGBTIQ+ community) members \u2014 masked and RAT tested \u2014 learning to synchronise two different dance moves to march in front of a cheering crowd of 50,000 in the name of equality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marching under the Salesforce banner is an extremely proud moment for all of Salesforce; we get to stand up for what we believe in while being visible, vocal and proud with our community. And this year, for the first time ever, we were joined by our mascot Astro dancing their way down the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShowing up as Team Pride<\/h2>\n\n\n\n