By: Pilar Rios (she/her) | IT Category Management | Global Procurement
Dear colleagues,
This PRIDE month, I wanted to take a moment to share a piece of my story and experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ Community. This is purely a personal experience that may or may not resonate with other Queer stories. That said, I hope this piece helps to foster year-round visibility, respect, and support for every member of the community within our Company.
*Subtle* - to describe something that is delicately complex and understated. This is a word that describes one aspect of my experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. These are elements of my day to day that occur behind the scenes or are unspoken whether in my personal life, at work, or out in public. A constant dance where I try to assess how much of myself, I can safely share.
Much like a masquerade ball, I am in a room surrounded by individuals, all with their own identities and walks of life; unsure of each person’s feelings or beliefs towards the LGBTQ+ community, so as if they wear a mask. I am not often assumed to be a part of the LGBTQ+ Community, so it is a balancing process between removing my own masquerade and inviting people in.
It is interesting to compare my Queer identity with the other two identities I hold, being a Woman and Hispanic. I am often more comfortable speaking about these other two identities than about being Queer as I feel that in some cases, being Hispanic or being a Woman is accepted and celebrated more outwardly than being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. This is why I believe it is so important for different communities and organizations to support one another ensuring we have the proper resources to provide a visible safe space.
At MetLife it’s nice to see all communities being heard. There are also many small simple ways in which people can show clear and open allyship, ensuring Queer folks feel safe to be open about their own identity and find social support wherever they are. Creating a safe space in the workplace involves fostering an environment of respect where everyone feels valued for who they are. My MetLife colleagues have shown support by actively asking about my partner, how she’s doing and how things are going for us. While this may sound like a simple gesture, it shows that our relationship is being acknowledged and that we are treated with the same regard as any other couple. Another way some of my colleagues show support is by including their pronouns in their signature and actively making an effort to address others using their preferred pronouns. This is something that has helped me on multiple occasions as I often work with people from various places around the world. Pronouns have helped me to address these individuals properly despite the language and cultural barrier.
People are complex and creating a safe space for open dialogue and exchange of experiences is essential for fostering respect, understanding, empathy, and growth. These conversations serve as powerful catalysts for human connection, community collaboration, and personal development. The LGBTQ+ community is filled with vibrant people with diverse backgrounds. To my Queer colleagues, I see you. Wherever you are in your journey, I am here always and happy to talk, listen and connect with you.
Pilar Rios (she/her)
To learn about more women's inspiring STEM careers, check out these videos from MetLife's recent Triangle Tech X conference.
