SO it’s Pride month, a global celebration of diversity that embraces people of whatever sexual orientation. It recognizes that humans are humans, whether they’re straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer (and more), with each individual to be valued for whatever he or she or they can contribute to the betterment of society.
At Nickel Asia where I work, we have adopted a diversity policy that goes even beyond sexual orientation. As official company policy, it sets in stone how every associate is valued as a unique individual who has to be treated fairly and equally for what he or she (or they) brings to the table as part of what we call our OneNAC family.
Of course, I sort of stirred a hornet’s nest last January 30 when my piece entitled “Happy at 60” became my “coming out” piece, where I admitted that I considered myself a member of the LGBTQ community, as part of the B (or Bisexual) segment. Well, actually, there was no hornet’s nest; my fears were worse than the reactions I received, which included some confessions from straight male friends who shared their experiences dealing with their own sons coming out of the closet.
But I was most touched when, over lunch, our founder, Manny Zamora, even cracked a joke about me and the rainbow colors on his Lacoste shirt. I heaved a sigh of relief.
‘In a world with so many sorrows and pain, let’s take away those that are brought about by Pride issues and instead do what we can to encourage anyone and everyone to be the best that they can be so that the world will be a better place.’
I am aware that to many there is still that strong unwavering belief that not being straight is an abnormality, even a sin against God. God created Adam and Eve, they say, not Adam and Steve. That’s true, but I joke that so many Adams later grew older to realize they were more like Eve, and many Eves have grown up ruing the fact that they didn’t have an apple like Adam’s. But just as I respect the diversity of opinion in politics, I also respect the diversity of opinion and belief in religion, even if it includes those who still believe that only Catholics can be saved. (Not gay ones, mind you.)
Is one born gay or does one become gay? I really don’t know. It’s just like asking, is one born stupid or does one become stupid? I really don’t know. It’s been a question I’ve been asked so many times — and a question I have also asked myself to many times
But I am often so obsessed with asking what I would wear to the office in the morning that I’ve stopped trying to answer the “nature or nurture” question.
Basta I am proud. Proud especially of my NAC Family that, believe it or not, has quite a number of Pride Month activities in store. Am proud of my friends who reacted to my January piece in some ways I didn’t expect. Proud especially of my two brothers who simply said they were with me all the way.
You might have a friend or family member who may be struggling with his identity — please be kind if you cannot be accepting. But if you can be accepting, believe me, what a whale of a difference you can make in his or her life.
In a world with so many sorrows and pains let’s take away those that are brought about by Pride issues and instead do what we can to encourage anyone and everyone to be the best that they can be so that the world will be a better place.
Surely, we can be proud of a cause like that, yes?
