June is a significant month for LGBTQ+ community members worldwide, as they come together to commemorate the freedom that accompanies embracing one’s true self. While celebrating individual identity and free expression should extend beyond a single month, Pride Month serves as a valuable global platform for numerous events and activities. In this blog post, we explore how Wizeline is promoting diversity and inclusion and taking meaningful steps to help create an environment that welcomes talent from diverse backgrounds.
Raising Awareness Around Diversity and Inclusion
At Wizeline, we are on a mission to bring the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion to the forefront. Our people are our most valuable asset, and we see diversity not as an opportunity for talent arbitrage, but as a catalyst for positive change within the tech industry. By nurturing a unique culture that attracts individuals from various backgrounds, Wizeline strives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sector.
Bismarck Lepe, CEO & Founder of Wizeline, emphasizes the urgency for action: “Organizations should foster diverse, inclusive, safe, and supportive environments where all employees can thrive, irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnicity, age, religion, or sexual orientation. This has been a discussion for decades, but action is now imperative.”
What Wizeliners Are Teaching Us About Pride
“For me, pride is an affirmation, a vivid declaration of my inherent right to exist free from judgment and discrimination. It’s about the courage to reclaim spaces and reshape narratives so that I may not just survive but thrive, living my most authentic life. Pride is the audacity to demand normalcy, to insist that my identity is not an aberration but a facet of the beautiful diversity of life. It is a fight, a celebration, a journey towards acceptance, and above all, a testament to the strength and power of love and empathy.”
-Edén Aragón, Staff Software Engineer
“For me, pride means loving myself as I was born. Loving the soul I want to love. Fighting to not be harassed, to keep our given rights, and to demand rights for those who still don’t have them.”
-Josias Misael Rico, Senior Technical Writer
Wizeline’s LGBTQ+ Council
This year, Wizeline took further steps towards cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion through its LGBTQ+ Council. This council has been instrumental in organizing activities that educate people and promote the acceptance and celebration of our LGBTQ+ community members, both within and outside of the company.
Some of this year’s highlights so far have included the participation of queer and ally Wizeliners at the Guadalajara and CDMX Pride Marches, several awareness activities, and a few creative, out-of-the-box surprises.
- Pride March in Guadalajara (GDL): The LGBTQ+ Council and other Wizeliners participated in the Pride March held in Guadalajara, celebrating queerness and demonstrating their support and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community while recognizing all the work still to be done. This event provided an opportunity for Wizeliners to join forces with other organizations and individuals to celebrate the beauty of differences.
- Drag Makeup Master Classes in GDL and Mexico City: The council organized engaging and educational Drag Makeup Master Classes in both GDL and CDMX. These sessions showcased the artistry and creativity in drag culture and fostered understanding and appreciation for the LGBTQ+ community’s unique expressions of identity.
- Circle of Trust: Organized by the collective Incluyo, these are conversation groups where Wizeliners can share their experiences and opinions in a safe space. Most recently, they discussed the topic of being LGBTQ+, including expectations, challenges, and realities. The Circle of Trust will be hosted monthly for the rest of the year.
- Pride March in Mexico City: Wizeline’s LGBTQ+ Council and other company employees were an active part of the Pride March in Mexico City, a significant event that celebrates the diversity and continuous fight for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Through their involvement, queer and ally Wizeliners demonstrated their commitment to equality and contributed to the larger movement for inclusivity.
Pride Is Not Just a Month; It’s a Constant Effort
At Wizeline, we firmly believe that recognizing our inherent value, raising awareness, and promoting DE&I should be an ongoing commitment, not simply confined to a single day or month. We understand that creating safe spaces for individuals to work and connect is crucial.
While we have made significant strides, there is much work yet to be done to achieve true diversity, equity, and inclusion across the board. It starts with acknowledging the differences within our inner circles, whether it be family, friends, or colleagues. As companies, we are responsible for integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into our core values. Inclusion is both a personal and collective effort; we can change the world by initiating change within ourselves.
