Celebrating Pride Across the World
Pride Month, a global celebration typically held in June, unites LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide. From the vibrant parades adorned with rainbow flags to the shared spirit of acceptance, love, and belonging, Pride is a testament to humankind's collective strength and diversity. We met with Teva employees from around the world to discuss their personal experiences of Pride and the lasting impact these celebrations have had on them.
In the United States, cities from New York to San Francisco host parades, parties, and events that showcase the community's resilience and diversity. Kevin Galownia, Teva US, was in New York City when he attended a Pride parade in 2012 for the first time. He describes the emotion of being there:
Kevin P. Galownia, VP, Pricing Operations, Teva US
"The cheers of support and acceptance seemed never-ending. I reflected back on all the years I couldn’t even accept myself. Being in a place where so many people were cheering me on for the person I am was a considerable turning point."
"To say I was overwhelmed with emotion is an understatement. Not only was it my first Pride parade, but I was given the opportunity to march in it with a friend of mine and the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus. The energy and celebration that radiated from all of the LGBTQIA+ people and supporters along the parade route brought not only a smile to my face but tears to my eyes.
The cheers of support and acceptance seemed never-ending. I reflected back on all the years I couldn’t even accept myself. Being in a place where so many people were cheering me on for the person I am was a considerable turning point for me. It was a warm, sunny day filled with music, flags, cheers, smiles, and just a whole lot of joy. I’ll never forget it.
These days, my husband and I live in a small community of about 7,000 residents. We look forward to the Pride parade every year. To see our small-town streets filled with the same energy and celebration as the NYC Pride parade is amazing. Every year, as I watch it, I'm taken back to that sunny day in NYC, and I feel the same acceptance and hope that I did then."
In Mexico, Pride Month takes place in cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Rodrigo Fernadez, Teva Mexico, recalls his first experience of Pride:
Rodrigo Fernandez, SVP LATAM & GM Mexico, Teva Mexico
"What struck me was the diversity; it felt like everyone was there. Families and employers were taking part, and the community seemed so alive; there was this immense sense of freedom."
"What struck me was the diversity; it felt like everyone was there. Families and employers were taking part, and the community seemed so alive; there was this immense sense of freedom. It was an amazing weekend with friends, and extremely emotional for me since it was the first time I was in a Pride event.”
In Israel, Pride celebrations are known for their diversity and inclusivity. The legendary Tel Aviv Pride parade is one of the largest in the Middle East. Idan Simchony, Teva Israel, describes the feelings of belonging he experiences during Pride:
Idan Simchony, Employer Branding & Internal Communications Operations, Teva Israel
"When I go to the Pride parade, I feel this complete sense of freedom and acceptance. It's a magical event where people come together to celebrate love, peace, and life."
"When I go to the Pride parade in Tel Aviv, I feel this complete sense of freedom and acceptance. But it wasn't always this way; I grew up in a small town in the north of Israel, where being gay was not a thing. I had to hide myself and my identity, and I was in the closet for 25 years.
In contrast, the Tel Aviv Pride parade is a magical event where people come together to celebrate love, peace, and life. I always go with my closest friends and now my partner Eshchar. I love the beautiful colors, wonderful music, smiling faces, happy people, and the electricity in the air. Pride Day is a holiday for me, and a day I very much look forward to."
In the United Kingdom, London's Pride parade is one of the largest in the world. It draws participants from all walks of life to celebrate diversity and promote LGBTQIA+ rights. Makarand Bagul, Teva UK, describes the power of the parade:
Makarand Bagul, Cluster Medical & Technical Director, Teva UK
"Pride parades allow the relatively privileged to use their freedom to march in solidarity with those facing discrimination elsewhere. It's a powerful act of resistance."
"Celebrating diversity openly and without fear in a supportive community is an empowering and liberating experience. For me, Pride is about raising awareness and amplifying the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community globally, especially those who still face oppression and lack basic rights.
In countries like the UK, where progress has been made, Pride parades allow the relatively privileged to use their freedom to march in solidarity with those facing discrimination elsewhere. It's a powerful act of resistance and refusal to be silent or invisible. It's a movement built on uplifting the entire LGBTQIA+ family and pushing for equity until all can live authentically without fear."
At Teva, we believe in seeing people for their authentic selves and creating an environment where everyone feels they belong. Learn more about I&D at Teva >
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Find out more:
- "Celebrating Pride, Creating Connections" Four steps we can all take to create a more inclusive work environment for everyone.
- "The Three Women Who Inspired Me” Eric Hughes, Head of Global R&D and Chief Medical Officer, shares the stories of the three women who shaped his journey.
- Discover how diversity fuels innovation in Teva's R&D Management Team.
- Interested in getting involved in the work that we do? Explore a career at Teva
