Alex Gessner: Pride For All Or None Of Us

‘Tis the season to wear rainbows,
Fa la la la la la la la!
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la la la la la la la!’

But hold on! Everyone knows that Pride is more than just a month-long party in June. In 2023, Pride season is unfolding amidst a backdrop of increasing attacks on our community, both online and offline. After years of remarkable progress for queer rights (which are, fundamentally, human rights), we find ourselves confronted with a historic backlash that threatens to roll back the hard-fought gains of decades, not just in terms of legal protections but also in public perception. It is a critical moment for LGBTQIA2S+ communities and their allies, demanding swift action and unwavering solidarity. It is a moment for everyone to take action now.

According to the data of Jay Ulfelder, researcher at Harvard’s Carr Center for Human Rights Policy,, anti-LGBTQIA2S+ demonstrations have seen a staggering 30-fold increase in 2023 compared to 2017. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is currently tracking 491 anti-LGBTQIA2S+ bills in the US, a record-breaking number aimed at denying queer individuals access to basic healthcare, education, legal recognition, full participation in society, and you know, the basic right to be able to exist in public. 

To make matters worse, companies like Budweiser, Target, and Starbucks have removed part of their Pride-branded items from their product lines due to conservative consumers pressure, while Google distances itself from a planned drag performance due to pressure from a vocal minority. Right-wing populists have effectively scared these brands into submission, and as a result, transphobia is becoming increasingly normalized. And don’t be mistaken into thinking that this is solely a US problem.

In 2022, attacks against queer people in Germany were four times higher than the previous year, with 1,005 registered incidents, although the actual number is believed to be much higher. Tragically, we lost Malte C., who was fatally injured at a CSD parade in Münster in 2022. The queer community in Hannover also faced violent attacks during their CSD celebration this year. With more Pride events scheduled throughout July and August, we must fear that these won’t be the last acts of violence. We see protests against drag shows and drag story hours in Munich and Frankfurt. Like Wanda Sykes says in her latest special: “Until a drag queen walks into a school and beats eight kids to death with a copy of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, I think you’re focussing on the wrong shit.“

It seems that we are struggling to reach people’s hearts and minds, whether through appeals to empathy or the presentation of hard data. If we look at the topics dominating public discourse, we might be led to believe that the most pressing issue regarding transgender is the perceived threat to cis women’s safety in public restrooms and the supposed abuse of gender identity to gain access to “safe spaces.” However, the reality is that trans people face significant discrimination and are four times more likely to experience violence simply for living authentically. We waste our time when we dissect false allegations and argue against baseless fears.

The largest study on self-determination to date draws data from nine European countries that have implemented self-determination models (Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and Switzerland). Among its results, the study reveals four points I would highlight: Out of more than 9,000 applications, none were made for fraudulent reasons; In rare cases, some individuals filed a second application to revert to their previous name or gender marker due to transphobic family and social environments; Gender self-determination does not undermine gender equality measures for women; Provision of single-sex services, such as shelters, support centers, changing facilities, hospitals, and prison facilities, remains unaffected, as does equality data collection.

I spent 13 years in finance as a queer woman and feminist activist before moving into a role in diversity consulting. Now, I have the privilege of dedicating my time to what matters most to me. Throughout my career, I have helped establish numerous employee networks, including pride networks and intersectional feminist networks aimed at bridging the gender gap.

These networks often drive real inclusion within the workplace and are an essential catalyst for change from within. Drawing from my experience and insights gained through consulting as well as studying the latest research, I can confidently state the following: 

One in three individuals has faced discrimination at work due to their sexual preference or gender identity;

Thirty percent of people are not out at work, primarily out of fear of not being accepted; 

Almost 50% of queer employees report facing obstacles in their careers due to discrimination.

Discrimination persists within our companies and countries. How many corporate values are mere platitudes? How many events are merely PR stunts? It is disheartening to see such statistics in the 21st century. If individuals cannot bring their authentic selves to work due to a lack of inclusivity and psychological safety, both their performance and the company’s ability to tap into diverse perspectives will suffer. This, in turn, hinders the company’s capacity to serve customers in a global, rapidly changing market.

This year, many companies asked whether they could fly the rainbow flag and incorporate rainbow colours into their logos. But to me, that’s not the right question. By all means, fly the flag and show your support. However, companies must recognize that our struggle is an ongoing ultra-marathon. They have to embrace the continuous effort to create inclusive workspaces for queer employees and all marginalized groups. I urge companies to take action by supporting petitions, advocating for bills, and using your platform to appeal to your country to protect and support queer individuals.

Attacks against our community are increasing on a global scale. Merely celebrating the few rights and limited acceptance that gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals have achieved is not enough. The TIN* community (trans*, inter*, non-binary) is far from experiencing the same rights and acceptance. As a queer community and as allies, 2023 should unite us in boycotting brands that do not support and protect ALL members of our community. We must continue fighting until discrimination against queer BIPOC, queer people with disabilities, LGBTQIA2S+ migrants, and especially discrimination against our trans and non-binary siblings is eradicated. We cannot settle for mere awareness and visibility. Society is aware of us; what we need is equal protection, respect, and opportunities that should be extended to everyone within our global community.

It’s either pride for all of us or none of us. This sentiment echoes the variation of Marsha P. Johnson’s powerful statement: “No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us.” Forty-four years after Stonewall, we still have a long way to go in building a better world.

‘Tis the season to wear rainbows
With pride, we stand, hearts all aglow.
In unity, we’ll face the fight,
Spreading love and shining bright!
Fa la la la la la … la la la!

Alex is an inspiring leader and intersectional activist with extensive banking experience. As COO at ACI Diversity Consulting, she champions diversity, revamping recruiting processes, setting up cross-company programs, and conducting studies for more inclusive financial services. She founded futura to bridge the gender gap in FinTech. Alex creates an inclusive work culture, amplifying unheard voices. Recognised by Business Insider and LGBTQ+ organizations, she is a future maker, #1 Prout Executive, and a Top 100 Outstanding LBGT+ Executive, making a significant difference in the industry.

Check out her LinkedIn.

Illustration by Wojciech Wos for Container Love. Check out his website or Instagram.