Celebrating Pride Month

June is recognized internationally as Pride Month, where we celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and related (LGBTQ+) communities, the diversity of identities its members represent, and their fight toward equal rights around the world.  This Pride Month, we had the opportunity to connect with Gabriel Navarro, Veterinary Medicine Research & Development Scientist Associate in Campinas, Brazil, so he could share his story, his experiences at Zoetis, and what pride means to him.

How are you involved with DE&I efforts at Zoetis?

“I have been participating in the DE&I Zoetis Brazil group for at least 3 years. This group aims to promote and spread inclusion, equity and diversity through Zoetis and its colleagues, building a culture with these values. The exchange of experiences, conversations between colleagues, learning and the actions we are working on within the group, fills me with pride, especially when we see the positive results generated, with reports from colleagues who felt more included within the company or report the dissemination of concepts in their homes. 

Sharing peoples' life stories is an important way to spread the concepts of DE&I, and Zoetis has given me the opportunity to bring a little of my life and the experience of being in the trans community to events like Coffee with PAW and other meetings."

How has Zoetis impacted your career and journey?

“As a member of external groups in the local LGBTQ+ community, I know of many stories of colleagues who face great difficulty in the job market because of their sexuality and/or gender identity. Brazil is still the country with the highest murder rate of trans people in the world, and discrimination is no different. Having a company like Zoetis, which welcomes and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion, is comforting. From the moment I found myself and identified myself as a trans man, Zoetis supported me and allowed me to grow within the company. It may seem common to any employee, but it does make a difference, because here in this company it was not just the acceptance, but the concern to educate colleagues to improve our quality of life. I'm very proud to be part of the VMRD (Veterinary Medical Research & Development) team and of my entire journey within Zoetis over these 13 years."

Can you share a challenge and a joy from transitioning?

“The biggest challenge in my transition was, and still is, updating my documentation. In Brazil, we have our single registration document, however, when changed, it does not update all existing records for the citizen. Thus, even after 2 years of my transition with registration update, I still have documents in my "dead name," which causes discomfort and unnecessary confusion in my life. 

As the most important achievement in my transition, I can easily list the moment in which I was naturally recognized as a man in the maternity ward when I received the nurse's call "come, father, meet your son". The word "father" at that moment for many people could be a simple happiness of the first meeting with their son, but for me, it had a more prominent impact, as I was identified as a man meeting his son. I experienced inexplicable and unforgettable emotions."

What does Pride mean to you? How are you celebrating Pride month this year?

"PRIDE within the LGBTQ+ community represents a light for me, my identity, and the opportunity to search for real happiness. Before finding out how I really identify myself, I was unhappy trying to understand what was “wrong" with me and felt no hope for the future. That's what ignorance does, it makes you accept what's important to others – a false reality that consumes you slowly until it ends your light. Pride is very important because it brings the possibility of searching for real happiness. We must fight for our life, but above all, I believe that Pride helps cease taboos and members of the LGBTQ+ community to no longer feel like they are wasting their lives due to ignorance, prejudice and hatred. I really like participating in the LGBTQ+ parades, and I've participated in several, but since last year I've been more at home because of my baby. But as soon as possible I want to present this act to him in favor of love and resilience."

What advice do you have to LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies?

“As a well-known movie phrase, my advice to my LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies would be "keep swimming." Move forward, stay strong and resilient, as we still have a lot to fight for. I would say not to give up and that I also believe it is necessary to exhaust the achievements of the community.

Companies like Zoetis, which are concerned with building a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable culture, are emerging little by little and gaining market share. We need to recognize these companies to be able to make them an example and, of course, demand more active participation in our fight. For colleagues who, like me, have the privilege of having a family that supports them, a job that doesn't discriminate and a life with reduced homophobic attacks, I would say “don't forget your brothers, and keep us in the fight together for a better future for all."