Alana Moran
I was 15 when I found my people in the loud chaos of punk rock shows at City Gardens in Trenton, NJ and dive bars across Philly. Combat boots, drag queens, misfits screaming into mics — it was wild, it was fun, it was thankfully before social media, and it was the first time I ever felt like I belonged. No one cared how you looked, who you loved, or what boxes you didn’t fit into. In fact, the weirder, louder and more revolutionary, the better. That was punk. I have learned that it’s Pride too.
Punk — like Pride — is about taking up space. Even if your voice shakes. Even if no one is listening. It’s saying: I’m here. I matter. I’m not going anywhere.
Pride is a celebration, yes — but it’s also a protest. A demand for visibility, safety, and joy in a world that too often denies all three. I see that fight every day in my incredible queer teenager, who shows me what it means to live authentically, even when the world makes it challenging. I’ve been lucky to walk alongside so many LGBTQ+ friends and family who’ve taught me about resilience, rage, heartbreak, and joy — and how love can be the most radical act of all.
This month is about more than rainbows. It’s about remembering that being yourself is rebellion. That showing up — fully, loudly, unapologetically — is resistance. Pride and punk both come from that same beautiful defiance. They tell us to challenge norms, disrupt silence, and build community in the noise.
I think back to those basement shows where drag queens danced with punks and chaotic teenagers. I think about my own teenager, finding their voice and their people. And I think about how far we’ve come — and how much further we need to go.
Pride isn’t just a party (though it’s a damn good one)! It’s a promise. To speak up. To make room. To fight back. To never stop showing up.
Happy Pride! Love is punk. And being yourself? That’s the most radical thing you can do.
-Written by Alana Moran
Holly Johnson
I grew up in a small village in the British countryside. The neighbor who lived opposite was a retired British Army General. He was always impeccably dressed, with a tailored suit and cravat. He had never been married, and I always remember the beautiful mural of bright flowers he’d painted on his garage door. Whenever his name came up people talked about how he was ‘different’ and slightly ‘odd’. It wasn’t until I’d moved out and was in my mid-twenties, returning home for the occasional visit, that I realized our neighbor was gay. Not ‘different’ or ‘odd’ but part of a vibrant community that I was only just starting to learn about.
I’m lucky enough to now live in Barcelona, a city that is loud and proud with LGBTQ+ owned businesses in every neighborhood, pride flags hanging from balconies, and a vibrant, visible queer community that is welcomed and embraced. It doesn’t need to be pride month, or even the weekend, to find a wild street party with people of all different sexualities and gender identities coming together to dance until the early hours of the morning.
When people question the necessity of pride month, I think of people like my neighbor. People who have never been able to live as themselves beyond the confines of their own home, let alone attend a pride event. I think of our trans community members whose mere existence is an act of rebellion.
Pride month is a time for us to celebrate the progress we’ve made, but it’s also an opportunity to raise our voices on behalf of our LGBTQ+ family members who still aren’t allowed the basic freedom of living as themselves. To make our community as visible as possible and have an amazing party while we do it.
-Written by Holly Johnson
Thank you
Pride Month Trivia: We’re kicking off the month strong with a competitive game of Trivia featuring questions about LGBTQ+ culture, history, music, and more. The top three winners will each get a chance to donate to a charity of their choice.
Drag Queen Bingo: Back by popular demand, we’re hosting a fabulous round of Virtual Drag Queen Bingo!
In-Office Celebrations: Several of our offices around the world are coming together to enjoy treats and meals supporting LGBTQ+ - owned businesses.
The LGBTQ+ ERG is excited and honored to bring pockets of joy to our Qlik community and looks forward to deepening inclusion and belonging at Qlik.
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