The Roche LGBTQ community is an important and lasting legacy of our culture. They make up the vibrant tapestry of diverse voices that allow each of us to thrive at the workplace and pursue a purpose-driven life. Now more than ever, it is critical to listen to their stories in order to support inclusion and become better allies. In honour of Pride Month, a handful of our employees share their experiences and hopes for the future.
The importance of having allies
André Bertomeu works in Roche Medical Affairs, Brazil and is the chair of the OPEN* network that believes in the value of working with allies to expand awareness of the LGBTQ+ community. He also talks about a recent win in his country.
“We can only hope for real change if everyone is committed to taking a stand. An ally is anyone who supports the LGBTQ+ community and their active voices and actions are essential in helping others understand the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and support equality.
Reaching out to people who don't have a connection to the LGBTQ+ community to discuss our issues is a big challenge. Usually, our activities attract people who are already sensitised. However, we are always looking for ways to expand the debates and I believe that allies are the cornerstone in doing that. Allies also play an essential role in attracting more diverse talents, for instance to big companies such as Roche, as they will often be decision makers in talent acquisition.