Pride 2020: A Message of Solidarity

Pride 2015 was a time I’ll never forget. I remember sitting in my Houston office as head of the oil program at the Intercontinental Exchange, tensely awaiting news of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision on Obergefell v. Hodges. I, like so many others, will never forget that moment or where I was when Justice Anthony Kennedy delivered the verdict, thereby granting marriage equality. Just like most of us will never forget where we were on 9/11, this moment will stick in my mind for years to come.

That very evening, my friend and professional cake maker, Jody (who for years I thought was named Jody Cakes, only to find out her real last name was Stevens), baked me a cake, which I shared with dozens of friends to celebrate marriage equality. This is a weekend I will remember forever—a moment in my life when I felt such a sense of pride in who I was and for my community. It was a moment for so many of my friends and acquaintances to loudly celebrate who they were, and for many, the first time in their lives to feel equal in their right to marry the person they love.

During this year’s pride month, we are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and mourning the heartbreaking death of George Floyd. I invite you to reflect on life’s positive, meaningful memories to give us the strength to face these challenging times with vigor and poise. So many of our brothers and sisters are struggling, and it is imperative that we use our voices to speak up in support and solidarity.

I joined LMI over a year ago. Since then, my partner, Alejandro, also joined the organization. We have enjoyed the opportunity to take part in a workforce focused on inclusivity and diversity, one that ensures every voice is weighed equally no matter the race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. It is even more uplifting to work for an organization that stands by its commitment and encourages and empowers us to speak up for our community in times of need. In the words of our senior leadership team, “Now—more than ever—is the time for us to strengthen our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, today and for the future. Our mission depends on it. In a greater sense, our world does, too.”

Alejandro Maurosa and Paul Fulcher (right)

“Now—more than ever—is the time for us to strengthen our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, today and for the future. Our mission depends on it. In a greater sense, our world does, too.”

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2020 is a year that has taken its toll on so many of us, but it is now, more than ever, that we should stand together in solidarity to appreciate the diversity and perspective that each of us brings, and to stand together as a community. Thank you to LMI, our LGBTQ+ Alliance community, and to my many friends and colleagues for your strength and commitment to stand together. Let’s continue pushing forward to build a better future so that we can one day look back on Pride 2020 and see how far we’ve come.