What does Pride mean to you?
Soho House staff members across North America reflect on the significance of Pride this year and how they feel seen in their communities
Monday 27 June 2022 By Soho House Photography by Allister Ann, AJ Woomer, Steven Piper, Cristin Fisher
Abi English, Chicago
Soho Friends Membership Manager
What does Pride mean to you?
‘Honestly, Pride has become so commercialised, it’s hard to take in. But I try to make Pride Month about setting aside time to be with other queer people and making each other happy. We all spend a lot of time explaining and translating ourselves in day-to-day life. It’s beautiful to be around people who don’t need to ask a lot of questions, so we can just put joy first.’
What makes you feel seen in your community?
‘Inclusion goes a long way. Introducing one another, checking in on each other in tough environments. Appreciating each other as artists and entire people – not just queer monoliths.’
What makes you feel safe and supported in the workplace?
‘Seeing queer and gender non-conforming people in upper-level roles. It gives me hope, like there’s space here for my success.’
Wing Yun Schreiber (they/he), Chicago
Bartender
What does Pride mean to you?
‘I think it’s crucial to remember that the first Pride began as a riot led by Black and brown trans women. Pride reminds me that our liberation is bound up together, and is made possible by Black and brown trans women and sex workers.’
What makes you feel seen in your community?
‘It really means a lot to me when people ask for my pronouns instead of assuming. It’s a super-easy thing to do, and it goes a long way.’
What makes you feel safe and supported in the workplace?
‘It gets exhausting to feel like I have to correct or educate people all the time around my gender identity when I’m just trying to be at work and do my job. So, it also means a ton to me when people I work with help gently correct other folks around my pronouns or gender identity. I’ve witnessed a few co-workers do this, and it truly means the world in making me feel safe and supported at work.’
Gavin Beasley, Austin
Membership Manager
What does Pride mean to you?
‘Pride is the privilege of not having to hide your truest self. It’s the courage to show up authentically, even when it’s hard. Pride is holding your head high, knowing that even if no one else in the room has your back, you will always have yourself.’
What makes you feel seen in your community?
‘When I can show up in my rawest, most unedited form, and still feel safe. To be able to cry, process fears, laugh and express joy – openly – and not face judgment, but open arms.’
What makes you feel safe and supported in the workplace?
‘Being able to show up and not be told I need to hide who I am, through words or deeds, makes me feel supported. I feel safest in the workplace when I see others who may be an “other” like me. Also, representation of those who have been marginalised. While we have wildly different stories with varying levels of marginalisation, my hope is that we can take comfort and find support in one another. Allyship makes me feel supported… and I want to be an ally to others as well. Finally, a wide range of LGBTQIA+ representation in the programming of a House makes me feel supported.’¬
Zack Grady, Nashville
Under 27 Membership Manager
What does Pride mean to you?
‘I’m happy that we in the LGBTQIA+ community are living to see progress and organising more to call for impactful change. With our country’s history with the AIDS crisis, homophobic/ transphobic violence and lack of resources allocated for queer communities, the same couldn’t have been said years ago. I’m pleased to see that more businesses are stepping up and finding more intentional ways to support the community. Now, more than ever, people feel more comfortable in their skin to love without shame, and I want to see that continue. Pride to me goes beyond the rainbow flags and parties; it’s about celebrating how far we’ve come and making sure that the next generation feels comfortable to express themselves in their fullest form and to love without fear.’
What makes you feel seen in your community?
‘I feel the most seen when I’m expressing my vulnerability, authenticity and creativity through my style, my events at Soho House Nashville, and when I’m using my voice to advocate for others.’
What makes you feel safe and supported in the workplace?
‘When I’m surrounded by kind, compassionate and solution-oriented people. I’m fortunate to have a team at Soho House that listens to my ideas and champions my creativity.’
Nikki Sengsouvanh, Nashville
Front Desk Agent
What does Pride mean to you?
‘Pride to me is about inclusion and celebrating diversity, difference and, ultimately, who we are. Feeling brave, bold, unapologetic… a self-celebration. Pride provides many opportunities for community, having a connection through stories of our history as an LGBTQIA+ family, so we can celebrate our past and plan for a better future.’
What makes you feel seen in your community?
‘Being from here my whole life, in the last five to seven years I feel the LGBTQIA+ community has gained more support than ever – possibly with the help of our population growing – and I feel more accepted walking around all parts of Nashville with flags hung.’
What makes you feel safe and supported in the workplace?
‘The diversity and our LGBTQIA+ family being present in every department. There have been multiple shows and events that have helped to evolve our community since I joined Soho House four months ago, and I’m sure there will be plenty more. It’s been fun.’
Caleb Gaillard, New York
Front Office Manager
What does Pride mean to you?
‘Pride is being my true self unapologetically.’
What makes you feel seen in your community?
‘When I see all the colours of the LGBTQIA+ flag represented.’
What makes you feel safe and supported in the workplace?
‘When I know that the difficult and uncomfortable conversations are being held. Also, when I see fellow managers and staff stand up for all protected characteristics.’
