On 9 May, Brazil’s Supreme Court overturned rules that limited gay and bisexual men from donating blood. We also had some good news on a national level. Another achievement that made us really proud was the release of the rainbow flag Roche logo in support of the pride month activities this June.
#Wby are the voices of hope in gay pride colors full#
Good examples of that are the iBuddies (an initiative to connect Roche LGBTQ+ communities members and allies around the world in informal conversations to discuss the reality of the community in their homes), the OPEN global virtual summit held in May and the full engagement of our members in re-defining the way we work in the current scenario. I was amazed l to see how our OPEN team found strength in looking for creative and empathic solutions. With each cancellation of an event and our inability to continue with an initiative, came more frustration and anxiety. With the onset of the pandemic, we had to change many of our plans. We had big plans for OPEN this year, with participation confirmed in equality events, a global summit and many initiatives ongoing locally that could potentially have a positive impact for LGBTQ+ community. On the other hand, social movements are getting bigger and better organised and LGBTQ+ rights have evolved significantly in recent years with joint adoption and same-sex marriage being legalised. We are a polarised country with huge social inequality and that some, including transgenders and black people, are hit much harder. While we have the biggest pride celebration in the world with an estimated 3 million people having attended in 2019, we are also the country with the highest violence rates against the community. Allies also play an essential role in attracting more diverse talents, for instance to big companies such as Roche, as they will often be decision makers in talent acquisition.Īndré and this colleagues supporting Pride Social and political backgroundīrazil is a country of contradictions when it comes to LGBTQ+ matters. However, we are always looking for ways to expand the debates and I believe that allies are the cornerstone in doing that. Usually, our activities attract people who are already sensitised. Reaching out to people who don't have a connection to the LGBTQ+ community to discuss our issues is a big challenge. An ally is anyone who supports the LGBTQ+ community and their active voices and actions are essential in helping others understand the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and support equality. “We can only hope for real change if everyone is committed to taking a stand.
He also talks about a recent win in his country.
The importance of having alliesĪndré Bertomeu works in Roche Medical Affairs, Brazil and is the chair of the OPEN* network that believes in the value of working with allies to expand awareness of the LGBTQ+ community. In honour of Pride Month, a handful of our employees share their experiences and hopes for the future. Now more than ever, it is critical to listen to their stories in order to support inclusion and become better allies. They make up the vibrant tapestry of diverse voices that allow each of us to thrive at the workplace and pursue a purpose-driven life. The Roche LGBTQ community is an important and lasting legacy of our culture.