There was time when I worked for organizations that would hoist a Pride flag above their buildings, proudly proclaiming their diversity and inclusivity. As a gay man closeted within these organizations, this public display gnawed at me, because I feared that coming out could risk my job. This fear is particularly palpable in many information security functions, where a macho, militaristic culture often reigns. The disparity between my lived experiences and the company’s outward messages made their gestures feel inauthentic.

However, upon reflecting and witnessing the struggles faced by many gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals over the last few years, my perspective has changed.

I’ve watched friends, who I’ve known for years but never truly understood, emerge as transgender—like butterflies emerging from their cocoons. These individuals, once clouded by self-loathing and pain, often masked their true selves with sharp wit and dark humor, not out of a desire for irony but as a defense mechanism. They saw themselves as flawed, as less-than-human, and so they kept people at a distance.

Their stories resonated with my own journey of coming out, and I was heartbroken to realize that I hadn’t seen their pain sooner. Living a mere shell of a life, they, like me, feared the potential loss that coming out could bring.

According to The Trevor Project, over 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youths (13-24) in the U.S. seriously contemplate suicide each year, with at least one attempt every 45 seconds. Among these, one in five identify as transgender. When you factor in race and socio-demographics, the suicide rates climb even higher.

So, how does this tie in with our discussion on Pride Month marketing and authenticity? It’s crucial.

Even when there is a disparity between how a company markets itself and the actual on-the-ground reality, their support and promotion of the LGBTQ+ community still matter. It opens conversations and challenges us to scrutinize our belief systems, to walk the walk, so to speak. For a group of people who are statistically at such high risk, this is a net positive. Any support is beneficial.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, please contact The Trevor Project’s 24/7 Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or dial 988. You are not alone. 💜