Reflections on Pride Month
What is Pride@Box? We're an employee resource group, dedicated to LGBTQIA Boxers and our Allies. Pride@Box was created to support Boxers who identify as LGBTQIA, to help to inform and educate Boxers, and to support Box in its commitment to building and retaining a wonderfully diverse team made of the very best talent the world has to offer. After all, the best work comes from diverse teams where everyone's unique experience supports building and delivering the best products and services.
While Pride month is a celebratory time, it's important to remember that Pride isn't just a party. Pride was born of protest, and in remembrance of a series of spontaneous riots in 1969 where some of the most marginalized members of the community, transgendered individuals, effeminate men, butch lesbians, drag queens, homeless youth, and people of color rose up in protest against police raids targeting the New York City bar, the Stonewall Inn.
While we've made significant progress as a global society, it's still important to remember that even as we celebrate that there are still places in this country and in the world where being out and proud is not celebrated or safe. So while we celebrate, we need to be mindful that we're out there for a purpose, to remind folks that we're here and we're not going away. Thank you for joining us in celebrating, and for standing with us in our struggles.
As Pride month came to a close last week, we wanted to look back on the way Box celebrated Pride:
Pride @ Box HQ
The Pride Leadership committee hosted a Pride Month happy hour at HQ for all Box employees, with Box Pride swag that was snapped up in the first ten minutes. The event gave Boxers from all teams a chance to mingle and celebrate together.
Pride @ Box SF
As the Saturday of San Francisco's Pride weekend (referred to locally as "Pink Saturday") wound to a close, Boxers celebrated with cocktails and snacks at Blackbird on Market Street. Pool was played, photo booth pictures were taken, and fun times were had by all.
AIDS Life Cycle
AIDS Life Cycle is a 7-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles that raises money and awareness for the HIV and AIDS services of the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Earlier in June, a contingent of Boxers and the people who love them trekked an incredible 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles on the annual ride. 40 Boxers participated, and in the end Box was able to raise $140K for AIDS Life Cycle! A huge thank you to everyone who donated their time, sweat and tears to make this a reality.
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