Finding Purpose in Pride

Pride Month is a time of love, togetherness, acceptance and opportunity. 

Throughout the month and beyond, we are encouraged to reflect, share our stories, ensure we are doing everything we can to be a proud ally — and proactively champion equality. 

In celebration of Pride Month, we asked our teammates to reflect on their own journey and why a culture of belonging is important in the workplace and beyond. 

Susan Britsch 

impact operations director 
she/her/hers 

Pride month is a time to celebrate love and acceptance. For me, it represents freedom from fear and gratitude for those who count themselves as allies. 

Community matters. The roots of a healthy community are acceptance and belonging. Too often we find ways to separate ourselves from one another through bias, stereotypes and fear. Working and living within an environment that prioritizes belonging makes me feel safe, accepted and valued. 

I am fortunate to have been raised in a very supportive and inclusive family environment. Even in that space, I didn’t feel comfortable coming out until I was in my late 20s, mainly due to the direct and indirect influences of our heteronormative culture. 

Coming out is a deeply personal journey that can require a tremendous amount of strength and courage. My wife and I met while I was still in college and have been together for 26 amazing years. I am a better person because of her. 

Lucy 

technology and operations vice president 
she/her/hers 

I’ll never forget the sadness I felt when I wasn’t selected for teams in grade school. I’ve always wanted people to take me as I am – for good or bad – just give me a chance. I am worth a seat at the table. 

In the early days of my career, my lifestyle was kept private. You just didn’t know how others would react to the news that you were gay. It’s been hard to see friends turn their backs on me or watch friends be alienated by their families. I’ll never forget when my own mother referred to us as “not normal.” In hindsight, she was right, I am special. 

This month gives me an opportunity to celebrate my other “family.” We may not be blood related, but we are a community. We have faced similar struggles with being accepted as we are. It makes me smile to see how our celebration has grown so much and is more inclusive. 

Stephanie Fritz 

vice president of strategic intelligence and information
she/her/hers 

Allyship isn't just a label; it's a commitment to understanding, educating ourselves and amplifying LGBTQ+ voices. It means challenging harmful stereotypes and prejudices, even when it's uncomfortable.  

As a mom of two small children, it is important to practice allyship because they deserve a world where they can live authentically without fear of judgment or discrimination. It isn't just about love; it's about actively supporting and advocating for all communities and fostering a sense of belonging. Every step we take toward allyship is a step toward a more inclusive and accepting society for all.

Madi Crist 

manager of accreditation
they/them

Pride month is a time to give back to the LGBTQ+ community and reflect on the powerful people that paved the way for us to be able to continue to fight for the rights of our community. This is the third year that I’ve been part of the planning team for the Indy Pride Festival and being able to make space for people to live and love as they have been a wonderful gift. 

I am incredibly thankful to come from a very supportive family, where coming out never felt like a scary or dangerous experience. This is a huge privilege, considering how often folks are invalidated or event hurt and killed for expressing who they are. I was given the language and space to reflect on my gender and sexuality in college, and I am forever grateful for the people in my life and those who came before me who helped me learn what queer and nonbinary meant. This is why a culture of belongingness is important to me because it makes work and life so much easier when you are free and encouraged to be your authentic self. 

Warren Dukes

vice president of diversity, equity & inclusion
he/him

An ally is one who respects that we each share an intersection of lived experiences that inform us on how to be responsive and supportive. However, a thoughtful and authentic ally is who possesses a greater understanding of lived experiences beyond their own and is responsive in those quadrants where those lines of lived experiences have departed.

Allyship does not require any special training or certification; however, it does require us to see all people as humans who are deserving of the rights, dignity, and respect of being a human being. As such, any disrespect, opposition, or harm that is acted out on any human being in our presence is an opportunity to affirm their humanity through giving them visibility, voice, and space.