The Definition of Pride

June 24, 2022 | (29) Comments

For more than 50 years, June has been recognized as Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which took place in New York in 1969 and was a watershed moment for the LGBTQ+ fight for equal rights. While many Pride celebrations include parades, marches and demonstrations, the definition of Pride is what I want to explore further.

The word “pride” can mean many different things depending on who you ask. To me, it means equality and acceptance. Equality for every person—no matter their gender, religion, how they identify, or the color of their skin—and acceptance that we all deserve the right to be who we are and love who we love.

The unfortunate truth is that while we stand today as a free country, many of our friends and family who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, do not feel free to be who they are. Furthermore, there are so many who go to great lengths to hide who they are because they are afraid of what stands on the other side of their own truth. These injustices should not exist.

Former President Barack Obama once said “when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.”

While we may never understand why there are still so many who choose hate over understanding, it is up to us—you and me—to bring awareness, educate one another, and stand up for what is right. In the past few years alone, I have seen our beautiful and diverse One Amazing Team do the right thing and support each other more times than I can count, and I know you are each making a difference in this world. You may never know the true impact your love and compassion may have on an individual, but I am here today to remind you that it is making a difference each and every day.

Beginning today, Texas Children’s Miracle Bridge in the Texas Medical Center, along with the fountains at our West Campus and The Woodlands Campus, will be lit up in honor of Pride Month and the Pride celebrations taking place in Houston this weekend. Together, we have the ability to ensure that Texas Children’s is a safe space, where everyone—both staff and patients—is loved, respected and accepted for who they are.

29 Responses to “The Definition of Pride”

  1. Dr. Paul Sirbaugh

    Well said Mr. Wallace – I for one very much appreciate your support and the President Barak Obama quote you chose for your On The Mark blog: “when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.”

  2. Bonnie Magliaro

    Thank you for the words of support within your posts that represent the values that we aspire to achieve and proclaim throughout our Texas Children’s System. In this day and age there are still many Americans, and I am one of them, who continue to dream of helping to create and live in a world where we truly love our neighbors as ourselves. If we did, every individual would have the rights and value that we choose to affix to ourselves..

  3. David E. Gebo, BSN, RN

    Thank you, Mr. Wallace. I appreciate your support and your very clear and erudite support. Equality = Freedom, and Freedom = Equality. Your statement goes miles and sets a standard for all of us.

    Thank you, again.

  4. Michael J. Mazanec

    Mr. Wallace — Thank you so much for this message. As a new employee (who happens to be gay), I am incredibly moved by your commitment to Pride and all that it means. Seeing your message is a powerful reminder of what can happen when allyship is seen at all levels of leadership. Growing up, I never imagined that I would work at an organization where the CEO powerfully aligned with equality in all forms. By sharing your story, you are empowering people to live authentically!

    Thank you for showing that #OneAmazingTeam includes all your LGBTQ+ employees!

  5. David E. Gebo, BSN, RN

    Thank you, Mr. Wallace. I appreciate your support and your very clear and erudite support. Equality = Freedom, and Freedom = Equality. Your statement goes miles and sets a standard for all of us.

    Thank you, again.

  6. Celeste U. Trejo

    Agree with everything you stated Mr. Wallace. “Love Conquers All.” The day when we all learn to welcome and respect each individual’s diversity, then we will all learn to love one another.

  7. As a minority in the organization, I rarely speak of my conservative views, beliefs, & ideologies, because they are my personal views. I frequently have to endure listening or sitting in on leftist or left leaning views, ideologies, and/or other’s personal views which seemed to be fully supported by my employer. I fear speaking up at any times. If I were to speak up, then I may be called bigoted, racist or something else that I am not. I’m afraid if I shared my views that don’t seem to be supported by Texas Children’s, then I would be discriminated against based on those views. I have family members and friends who are homosexual. I love these individuals. They live however they want, and that is fine. I do not push my personal beliefs on these individuals, and they do not push their personal beliefs on me. I do not take pride in these individuals actions, but still love these individuals.

    In trying to celebrate individuality and being one’s self, my employer only seems to celebrate the individuality of employees with left leaning views/beliefs/ideas, and this alienates conservative employees.

    Respectfully,
    A Concerned Employee

    • Texas Children's Hospital Administrator

      Thank you for sharing your views. At Texas Children’s, we value and respect everyone’s perspective. The diversity of our thoughts and ideas is one of our greatest strengths.

      • Why is there only a response from the administrator to those who hold a different opinion? Seems a rather discriminatory practice. I would post the same question if majority of sentiments were like the above comment and the administrator responded only to the pro-pride comments. If all perspectives are respected then there isn’t any need to point that out.
        Thank you

        • Likely because your belief that selective replies are discriminatory implies that TCH is discriminatory to a certain viewpoint. Being upset about the inclusion of others is not the same as being discriminated against. Many who do not care and do not really appreciate this celebration of pride are also not the ones that are being “targeted”. A wide and open acceptance policy lets the minority (those who identify in LBGTQ) to feel more comfortable to be themselves, as well as let the other minority of hateful folks know that their intolerance is not accepted here.

          While it seems like it is being shoved down your throats, consider the alternatives of minorities who cannot be themselves. In a more inclusive world, there wouldn’t need to be a pride month, but we are not there yet.

    • Thank you for sharing. This is very brave and I applaud you. I also feel the same way as you. TCH does not support conservative views/ideologies and only seems to cater to the left and it makes things very uncomfortable and difficult sometimes.

  8. Philip Wilson Chase

    It is an honor to work for an organization that stands up for what is right and recognizes the inherent value that every one of us brings to the world. As you say, we all need to lend our voice to make sure everyone is welcome. Thank you for setting the standard! #oneamazingteam.

  9. My son is gay and although I can’t say I agree or that it is “right”, I still choose to love him and support him because he’s my son and I love him dearly. I choose to respect my son regardless of my feelings regarding his decision,. Having said this, I have had chats with my son regarding LGBTQ and he says those in the gay community are the most hateful towards one another. There’s a lot of drama that happens within the gay community themselves, so for you to tell me to love and accept them when they can’t even find it in their own community is insanity. The Bible also says Pride comes before destruction and I pray the gay community give their life to Jesus – including my son!

    • Texas Children's Hospital Administrator

      Thank you for sharing your views. At Texas Children’s, we value and respect everyone’s perspective. The diversity of our thoughts and ideas is one of our greatest strengths.

  10. Wes Moulden

    Mr. Wallace, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community I am truly thankful for the inclusive culture that has been created at Texas Children’s. As you mentioned above, many of us, including myself, often struggle with fear of rejection and loss of relationship at the thought of being who we are.

    To all of my colleagues and leaders–THANK YOU for embracing the culture at Texas Children’s and Amplifying Unity for each and every person here.

  11. Alisha Lee

    To be yourself is truly a revolutionary act, and I think more and more people should try it, because it’s gotten me a pretty cool life. – Lena Waithe

    Grateful to be apart of an Amazing Organization that accepts everyone for WHO they are!!!

  12. Angela Shaw

    LOVE LOVE LOVE…the world needs more LOVE! Truly Amazing to see the support from our Executive Leadership! Let’s choose to make the first step, show kindness and love to one another…PLEASE.

    Thank you Mr. Wallace

  13. Dr. Grave

    The thing is to love and respect everyone regardless of their life style and political views. We are all different and if we have open dialog we should be respected.

  14. I am a homosexual, conservative man. My views, principals, morals do not align with the LG bla bla bla +++ agenda. I am very proud who I am. Do not need a “month” to validate how I feel. For anyone who has been or witnessed a pride parade, there is absolutely nothing to be proud. The parade is a display of deplorable.
    The trans is an agenda supported, fomented and promoted by the left. And it has nothing to do with being gay. “Irreversible Damage” is a great read for those interested in the harm this agenda is causing to children and teens.

  15. Maria Aaly

    Personally, I take great PRIDE in being a team member of Texas Children’s Hospital. I take great PRIDE in being part of the great care, compassion and tender and meticulous care we provide ALL our patients and families.

    I repeat this to anyone when I have the opportunity, “Texas Children’s is about providing the best care to our little patients. It is about doing the best we can for them and putting them first in each and every decision and intervention, daily.”

    We must put our patient’s welfare ahead of everything else each and every day, and that includes our own needs. We must all get along as employees and part of a great team each and every day.

    To do that, we must often set aside our own personal beliefs, whether racial, moral, political, religious or otherwise. Focus is doing the best we can for our little ones and their families.

    I believe we should continue to FOCUS on that and that alone. Please keep politics, religion, moral values, etc out of what our amazing team stands for. Texas Children’s is and always has been a great place, doing great things.

    I do not believe it is a place to make or force one’s own personal beliefs and views regardless of what they may be. Red, blue, straight, gay, atheist, or Godly, etc.

    We are here, to take care of our little ones, that is our FOCUS, PRIDE and priority.

    Proud Nurse

  16. Kemesheia Stovall

    I love this … its a shame there are still so many be people out there that struggle with the concept of equality for all. Thanks for being a leader that isn’t afraid to stand up for what is right!

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