Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of how we run at Amazon, and it is important to celebrate and acknowledge the individuality of all of our employees across the business.
As we draw towards the end of Pride month, we joined five members of Glamazon to have an open and candid discussion about their lived experiences being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Glamazon is Amazon’s LGBTQIA+ affinity group, which supports the LGBTQIA+ community across the business through building community, raising awareness, and providing resources for LGBTQIA+ employees and allies.
While there have been great strides for inclusivity since the first UK Pride march in 1972, work still needs to be done societally for minority groups. Here’s why the participants of that conversation believe these conversations are still very much relevant and important. You can watch the full discussion above.
Danya Goldberg, International Campaigns Manager
“Talking openly can only ever be a good thing. Bringing different voices together, to talk about what unites them and what makes them individual, is surely the answer to helping others understand the challenges, and the beauty, of being part of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Ade King, Project Management Apprentice
“Having open conversations is so important as it keeps the door open for those that are yet to come out or embrace themselves fully in the LGBTQIA+ community.
"Having safe places to explore how you feel and your journey so far is needed now more than ever. There’s still so much more work needed in society for inclusion.”
Phil Reay-Smith, Senior Communications Manager, Sustainability
“Talking about our shared experiences reminded me how there is so much diversity in our communities, and yet there is a thread the draws us together.
"It’s great that we have achieved so much together, and important that a group like Glamazon supports us in the battles yet to be won.”
Weyimi Samuel, AWS Global Engagement Manager
“It feels right now that the LGBTQIA+ community is under attack from all sides and I think if we stay silent then matters will only get worse.
"By having open, transparent conversations about gender and sexuality it makes us visible, normalises our lives and hopefully brings about a change in attitude towards the community as a whole.”
Nikita Costello, Transportation Specialist Ops
“Diversity is beauty and every conversation we have allows us to understand and appreciate each other both as queer people and as individuals. The world may not be the safest place for the LGBTQIA+ community, but safe spaces like Glamazon bring us closer to normalising the things that make us the happiest, regardless of where we came from.”
Find out more about diversity, equity and inclusion at Amazon.
