As we have a good time Dotdigital Satisfaction Week, we’re delighted to carry all our staff collectively to commemorate Satisfaction, which varies globally. Satisfaction extends far past mere celebration. It serves as a strong reminder to replicate on the exceptional achievements of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood whereas reiterating our unwavering dedication to the continuing quest for equality.
On this weblog, the Dotdigital unites to have a good time the great thing about variety, pay tribute to the resilience of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, and unfold love and understanding. It’s necessary to acknowledge the facility Satisfaction has, and the way necessary it’s to so many. Dotdigital is proud to help Satisfaction all 12 months spherical and have a good time our variations.
Jenna Hogue, Senior Coach
Hello, I’m Jenna, and I’m one of many Trainers on the Coaching Workforce. What does Satisfaction imply to me? Satisfaction to me means household, love, and power. Satisfaction hits fairly near residence for me as my older sister, who simply occurs to be my finest buddy on the earth, is a part of the neighborhood. I watched her develop up in a small conservative small city within the Nineties and face nothing however oppression from society, her friends, and even from my mom, sadly, after she got here out.
Regardless of all of it, although, she saved her cool, saved on combating, and got here out on the very high. My sister bravely by no means left the realm we grew up in, and he or she’s proved herself and change into some of the profitable feminine enterprise house owners ever within the space. I’ll all the time admire her for being so fearlessly genuine and fearlessly herself, and that’s one thing to admire about folks in the neighborhood each single day. Completely happy Satisfaction, everybody!
Sharon Godfrey, Senior Digital Artistic
Satisfaction is about standing up for the suitable of everybody to be their true selves, to like who they need to, and to not face any discrimination in doing so.
A few years in the past, my 13-year-old son was doing his artwork homework which concerned designing a Converse-type boot in whichever sample or shade he wished. He completed one image and introduced he wished to do one other one however wasn’t certain what to do. “How about doing one for Satisfaction?” I instructed. He knew all about this as I’d simply participated within the London Satisfaction march. “Sure, good thought,” he mentioned and set to work.
After he’d carried out it, he was actually happy with the work and took it proudly into college.
Sadly, this resulted in an onset of so-called “joke” name-calling, bullying, and, fairly frankly, homophobic slurs by a few of his classmates. He got here residence fairly visibly upset and instructed me immediately what had occurred. I mentioned I’d report it to the varsity, I’m not usually one to make a fuss ever, however this was completely different. His response made me very proud certainly. He mentioned he had already reported it, as though he may take care of the feedback as they weren’t true – they have been nonetheless upsetting. He then went on to say, “However, think about if somebody who was pondering of popping out or going by way of transition heard them say that to me, Mum, it’d make them really feel that it’s not okay to be themselves.”
I don’t suppose I’ve ever been prouder. That is what Satisfaction means to me.
Isabel Munoz, Senior Advertising Supervisor
As a proud ally with many family and friends members who’re part of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, Satisfaction has such a particular place in my coronary heart. To me, at its core, Satisfaction is in the end the celebration of affection being accepted for merely simply being love and a neighborhood of lovely people being accepted for who they’re and residing of their reality. Satisfaction is a time for these inside the neighborhood to unfold their love and their mild and a time for all of us allies to assist characterize and promote the equality and visibility that they deserve.
Frank Brooks, Head of EMEA Advertising
The month serves as a reminder that we’re half of a bigger neighborhood, and it’s a time for us to face collectively, uplift each other, and advocate for equal rights.
As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, I acknowledge the privilege I’ve in sure points of my id, being a homosexual white man within the UK. Nevertheless, it’s essential to acknowledge that there are nonetheless people inside our neighborhood who face distinctive and vital challenges. Satisfaction Month is a chance for me to replicate by myself experiences and educate myself concerning the numerous points confronted by those that are extra marginalized.
By actively collaborating in Satisfaction occasions and interesting in conversations, I hope to achieve insights into the struggles confronted by LGBTQ+ people of various backgrounds. It permits me to be an ally and lend my help to those that could encounter extra boundaries and discrimination. Satisfaction is a catalyst for empathy and motion, inspiring me to work in the direction of a extra inclusive society the place everybody feels secure, accepted, and valued.
Let’s profit from this Satisfaction Month by not solely celebrating our personal identities and achievements but additionally by amplifying the voices of those that want our help essentially the most. Collectively, we are able to create constructive change and foster an atmosphere the place variety is embraced and celebrated on daily basis.
Additionally, one other plug for what I consider to be one of many highlights of Satisfaction month, Satisfaction in London, which takes place on July 1st this 12 months. I’m thrilled to be representing Dotdigital and strolling alongside colleagues, pals, and allies within the parade. It’s all the time a memorable day crammed with love, help, and a vibrant environment.
Oliwia Tyralska, Marketing campaign Advertising Govt
For me, Satisfaction is a celebration and show of affection, particular person freedom, and openness to others. It’s a reminder that this necessary dialog continues to be vital and that even in 2023, not everybody can overtly love who they love due to their sexual orientation or could be who they need to be due to their gender id. Acceptance and judgment proceed to be an enormous points in our society, and Satisfaction is a crucial message to maintain attempting to interrupt down boundaries by way of training, consciousness, and open conversations.
Typically Satisfaction is just about exhibiting allyship by way of kindness and a smile, and generally, to this present day, it’s a protest within the face of unequal rights, merciless and damaging stigmas, and unfounded hatred. Satisfaction is a wonderful coming collectively of people that care about and need to help one another and reside peacefully in the identical areas, communities, and societies. Love is love, and love conquers all. Completely happy Satisfaction.
Alex Cross, Product Advertising Supervisor
Satisfaction isn’t nearly tolerating a neighborhood; it’s concerning the love and respect of 1. Throughout Satisfaction month, folks welcome the LGBTQ+ neighborhood with loving arms, however it could’t be forgotten that others aren’t so tolerant. My neighbors fly their Satisfaction flag all 12 months spherical. And whether or not they’re a part of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood or not, their embrace is undoubtedly seen, valued, and appreciated.
This Satisfaction Month, I heard a passerby with their younger little one who requested, “What does that flag imply?” pointing to my neighbor’s flag. The dad or mum paused for a second and responded with frustration: “I don’t know, I’ve by no means seen that earlier than,” to which the kid proudly replied, “I’ve!”.
Maybe that was true and this interplay utterly innocent, but it surely made me consider all of the instances the LGBTQ+ neighborhood is ignored relatively than embraced and the way a long time of passiveness translate to intolerance. Small interactions like this matter. 12 months-round.
It’s these seemingly harmless interactions that forge opinions that might later be damaging – and even lethal – to LGBTQ+ communities within the type of discrimination. For allies, Satisfaction is the proper time to acknowledge the gravity of microaggressions and supply a secure area to inform the story of a neighborhood that has given a lot to the world within the type of tradition, science, social activism, and past.
Small interactions matter simply as a lot as the massive ones, so subsequent time somebody asks what the Satisfaction flag means or why we want Satisfaction, discuss it! Don’t draw back from troublesome conversations. Tolerance isn’t sufficient. Discuss Satisfaction, find out about Satisfaction, ask questions on Satisfaction, and hopefully, we are able to bridge the hole between passive and energetic allyship.
Natasha Lainsbury, Content material Govt
To me, Satisfaction is all about celebration and illustration. I feel it’s straightforward for lots of people to suppose that Satisfaction isn’t wanted and that acceptance is widespread, however sadly it isn’t. Satisfaction is a celebration of how far the LGBTQ+ neighborhood has come when it comes to rights and acceptance while additionally highlighting that there’s nonetheless a approach to go.
Satisfaction additionally serves as a beacon of affection and acceptance to anybody who’s LGBTQ+ or questioning who could not have supportive folks round them. Satisfaction is a time to have a good time and present folks that there’s a large LGBTQ+ neighborhood and an enormous neighborhood of allies too, who could have their again ought to they want it. Satisfaction is about being who you might be, residing your life with no compromises, and remembering that love is love.
Embrace Satisfaction
Let’s proceed to embrace the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and have a good time their achievements whereas additionally working collectively to make sure each particular person feels secure, accepted, and valued. From all of us at Dotdigital, we want everybody a Completely happy Satisfaction crammed with pleasure, hope, and unity.
