The power of belonging

We need to be there for each other.

That’s the message from ANZ’s Global Pride Committee chair, Cheryl Downes, who sat down with ANZ News to mark this year’s Pride Month celebrations.

Speaking with honesty and great warmth, Cheryl emphasised the importance of bringing your whole self to work, highlighting how inclusive workplace cultures are essential in creating safe and supportive places for everyone.

“For me personally, I don't want anyone's experience to be hard. And I recognise that some people have had much harder experiences than me. So, I want to be there and present for them. I want people to be able to reach out.”

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As a lesbian leader, partner and parent, the concept of “self-editing” was also part of the conversation.

“A great environment would enable you to be your whole self and not have to self-edit. If someone says, how was your weekend? You can openly say, my wife and I did this, or our rainbow family did that, versus in the early days, probably, of my career, it was difficult to say things like that.”

Cheryl also gave special mention to the trans community, who are having an “extremely difficult time.”

“We need to be there for each other because someone was there before, for me. Now I need to be there for someone, after, as well.”

Alica Muling is a Senior Writer at ANZ