Angus

I have had the privilege of serving as the APAC Pride@Capco lead for the past two years, and this journey has been both deeply rewarding and profoundly enlightening.

While I identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, as a cis-gender gay man, this role has opened my eyes to the diverse lived experiences across the spectrum of gender and sexuality. At times, these experiences have been eye-opening, sometimes shocking or saddening. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that you cannot truly understand someone’s feelings of alienation until you step into their shoes and see the world from their perspective.

A particularly prominent moment for me occurred in March 2024. During that month, I worked closely with a transgender colleague to co-write an article on trans inclusion for Transgender Day of Visibility. The personal story he shared highlighted the challenges that trans individuals face.

What struck me most was how intuitive and relatable his experiences seemed—“Of course this would happen.” or “Of course this is how someone would feel in that situation.” Yet, these realities would never have crossed my mind had I not listened to his story. This realization forced me to confront my own “unchecked privilege.”

“Privilege is when you think something is not a problem because it’s not a problem to you personally.” - David Gaider

This is where I see the importance of storytelling. As simple as it sounds, the act of sharing and listening to stories is incredibly powerful. Storytelling fosters empathy and understanding, which can serve as the first step toward true inclusion and the promotion of DEI.

I’ve also found storytelling invaluable in my interactions with other LGBTQ+ advocates and DEI professionals. Being the regional Pride lead has opened doors to meaningful exchanges with like-minded individuals. These conversations, in which we share successes, failures, and lessons, form the backbone of building a stronger, more inclusive community. It is through this continuous dialogue that we refine our strategies and practices to better support those who identify as part of our community.

Stories drive Pride in Motion. If the story of Stonewall had never been told, we wouldn’t be celebrating Pride globally every year. If the fight for same-sex marriage rights had gone unheard, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate such a significant step toward equality.

These experiences have reinforced my commitment to inclusion and the belief in Capco’s Be Yourself at Work. Storytelling will remain a core part of my practice, ensuring I continue to share my own experiences while listening to others to broaden my perspective and challenge any limitations in my understanding.