In Celebration of Pride Month: In Conversation with Anthony Galante
June is observed annually as LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Month in memory of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City on June 28, 1969. The co-lab is honored to celebrate alongside the LGBTQIA2S+ community by recognizing the remarkable progress that has been made since Stonewall and the contributions, achievements, and influence the community has had within our industries and communities. We also take this time to acknowledge and stand in solidarity with the ongoing fight for equal justice and opportunity.
In celebration of Pride Month and elevating LGBTQIA2S+ identifying voices, we are highlighting some of our wonderful LGBTQIA2S+ co-lab members on our Instagram @jointhecolab and on our website.
As told to the co-lab
How has being a part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community shaped the course of your career?
First, the journey to self acceptance can be a hard and evolving journey, but understanding and learning about the LGBTQ+ community helped to create a safe space for me to exist and then thrive just as I am. Then, existing and working in spaces where you don't see a lot of people like you can feel lonely until you discover there are many that have walked a path similar to yours that you can relate to. Now, it is liberating and encouraging to see LGBTQ+ individuals in c-suite and leadership roles being out and proud and advocates of change with seats at the table.
Is pride month different for you this year? And how are you raising awareness this year?
It feels different. Less simply celebrating being proud and more action based work as now more than ever LGBTQ+ causes need our support. Stakes are high as organizations are losing millions in critical funding to support their programs. This year I'm on the host committee for Stonewall Community Foundation's 2025 Vision Awards, celebrating LGBTQ+ leaders and change-makers doing important advocacy work. If you don't know about the work they do, I encourage you to look them up!
What’s an exciting change you’ve seen with regard to support for LGBTQIA2S+ community and what do you hope to see in the future?
Just more openness and acceptance in general. When I was younger there was no Pride celebration or acknowledgment in the rural part of IL where I grew up. Now there is a bustling Pride festival in that small town! I am so encouraged. More visibility is key. I hope to see more queer families in the future, and more wide-spread acceptance of our community and its existence.
What advice would you share for the next generation of LGBTQIA2S+ leaders?
To be visible and show up in a way that is comfortable (but also maybe consider showing up in a way that might be uncomfortable) and to encourage others to do the same. To find friends and mentors along the way as you carve your own unique path.
The first time I felt a tremendous sense of pride in being part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community:
Bringing our daughter to the Pride march, and being surrounded by a tremendously diverse, accepting and supportive group of individuals. Now, we're all aware of "rainbow washing" aka corporate Pride celebrations latching onto the cause for marketing potential, but visibility can have a way for creating a real sense of belonging and is overall quite powerful. Now we'll always celebrate Pride as a family, in June especially but also every day.
Complete the sentence: I felt most represented when I saw…..
People that look and act like me – active and involved as leaders in a way that felt genuine to them.
3 words you think of when you hear the word acceptance:
Vulnerability, belonging, and love
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonythomasgalante/
Instagram: @anthonythomasgalante
