How Pride changed the way I think about belonging

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How Pride changed the way I think about belonging

June 4, 2026

The biggest barrier to inclusion is not always prejudice. Sometimes, it is silence. As someone who grew up in India in the late 1980s, I don't remember hearing conversations about LGBTQIA+ identities at school, in the workplace, or even in popular culture. The topic simply did not exist in most spaces I occupied. And yet, that silence shaped how an entire generation understood, or failed to understand, people whose experiences differed from our own.

That is one of the reasons Pride resonates with me today. It represents visibility in a world that was once defined by invisibility. Today, I see Pride as both a celebration and an opportunity to learn. It is a celebration of people being able to live authentically and openly, but it is also a reminder that creating inclusive societies requires continuous effort from all of us, not just those directly affected by exclusion.

India has come a long way in recent years. Conversations around diversity and inclusion have become more visible, workplaces have become more conscious of creating equitable environments, and many organizations are actively championing representation. Yet, as with any social change, progress is a journey. For many individuals, acceptance, understanding, and belonging are still not guaranteed.

As an ally, I have come to realize that allyship is less about speaking and more about listening. In communications, we often talk about the power of stories. Every day, we help organizations connect with audiences through narratives that inform, inspire, and influence. Pride has reminded me that some of the most important stories are the ones we may not have heard growing up, the stories of people whose experiences, challenges, and journeys were often overlooked or misunderstood.

Listening to those perspectives has challenged assumptions and broadened my understanding of what inclusion truly means. For me, allyship is about being open to learning, acknowledging what you do not know, and being willing to support others in meaningful ways. Sometimes that means speaking up when something feels exclusionary. Sometimes it means ensuring diverse voices are represented in the work we do. And often, it simply means creating space for people to be themselves without fear of judgment.

What I appreciate most about Pride is that it invites all of us into the conversation. It encourages reflection, not only on how far society has come, but also on the role each of us can play in moving it forward.

Diverse perspectives lead to stronger ideas, better collaboration, and richer human connections. This Pride Month, I am reminded that allyship is an ongoing practice of respect, curiosity, and empathy. To me, Pride is about creating a world where authenticity is not something people have to fight for. And being an ally means helping make that world a little more possible, one conversation, one action, and one act of understanding at a time.

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POSTED BY: Kanika Gupta