June is Pride Month across the U.S., a time to celebrate the contributions, accomplishments, and spirit of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) community and its allies. In case you didn’t know, Pride Month honors the June 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan, the birth of the American gay rights movement.

Here at Nuance we recognize and celebrate our culture of inclusion and diversity within our walls and in the communities in which we dwell. We only get more creative and collaborative as a team when we honor different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.

This past weekend the LGBTQ Community at Nuance was thrilled to sponsor and participate at the Boston Pride parade and festival, 14 miles away from our corporate headquarters.

Nuance hits the streets during Boston Pride on June 9, 2018

A few dozen fellow employees, friends and family members donned our Nuance Pride t-shirts, waved our pride flags, and proudly carried our banner as we worked our way from Boston’s Back Bay, through the South End, over to Beacon Hill, and down to City Hall Plaza.

On a side note, we marched right in front of the very talented Boston Gay Men’s Chorus who played a looped recording of their acapella cover songs to save their voices for weekend performances. (If you want to know the lyrics to “Last Friday Night” by Katy Perry, just ask.)

Yours truly (second from left) with friends and family

I’ve been to Boston Pride about 25 times since moving to the area after college. Some years I’ve marched, some years I’ve cheered from the sidelines. While the LGBTQ community nudged closer and closer to the mainstream with milestones like legalized gay marriage, Boston Pride parades filled with night clubs and activists have made room for high schools and universities, religious organizations, sports teams, and companies like Nuance.

My inspiring co-marshal Pepper and her wife, April

Before joining Nuance last summer, I had never worked for a company that participated in Boston Pride or any outside LGBTQ event for that matter. This year was different. I had my friends, family and colleagues along with me every step of the way. It was an exceptional feeling and made me proud of each and every one of them.

Next up, we’ll sponsor and participate in Montreal Pride in August. Given my grandfather grew up nearby I may very well make the five hour drive and celebrate my big gay Québécois authentic self… proudly.