SEO Celebrates Pride Month

As we start the month of June, SEO is honored to recognize LGBTQ+ Pride Month, a special time for celebrating and uplifting the stories of members of the LGBTQ+ community. SEO’s commitment to equity means valuing and respecting people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, ages, and levels of ability and mobility.

In many ways, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights has come so far in the 52 years since the Stonewall Uprising. Later this month, it will be six years since marriage equality was recognized as the law of the land. Last year’s Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County guaranteed long overdue employment protection across the country for LGBTQ+ individuals. Important steps have been taken to ensure all qualified Americans can serve in the military, and this year, we saw the first openly gay Cabinet Secretary and the first openly transgender person ever confirmed by the U.S. Senate. There are many more examples that show the historic progress we have made toward LGBTQ+ equality.

And yet, this advancement has sparked an ensuing backlash that threatens much of the progress made by the LGBTQ+ community. It is appropriate that the official NYC Pride theme for 2021 is “The Fight Continues.” With anti-transgender legislation and other discriminatory policies on the rise across the country, it is essential that we all continue to stand for equality and justice. In particular, we must recognize that the most vulnerable and marginalized populations typically exist at the intersection of movements. Within the LGBTQ+ community, it is often BIPOC and youth individuals (including many members of the SEO community) who face the greatest discrimination, stigma, and even violence.

SEO’s vision of a more equitable society will only be achievable if we ensure that no one faces discrimination because of who they are or whom they love. SEO is proud to be allies in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights, and we encourage you to spend time this month learning about and reflecting upon the struggle for LGBTQ+ equality.