Pride month is celebrated worldwide every June. During this month and leading up to San Diego's Pride Parade in July, we will be putting the spotlight on some of our colleagues in our True Colors Employee Resource Group (ERG). The ERG strives to create an inclusive environment that educates, empowers, and supports LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies, fostering a sense of belonging and authenticity in the workplace.
In the following Q&A, learn about Diamante Cintron, a Tech Advisor in Compliance Management and a valued member of our True Colors ERG.
Why is it important to you that SDG&E celebrates Pride Month?
Celebrating Pride Month is a vibrant affirmation of diversity and inclusion. When SDG&E participates in Pride, I feel it sends a powerful message that every individual is valued and respected. It's a commitment to creating a welcoming environment where everyone can thrive and create spaces to continue fostering community, like the True Colors Employee Resource Group. Such celebrations are not just about the events; they're about recognizing the contributions and existence of the LGBTQIA+ community, ensuring that everyone feels seen, included, and celebrated, not just during Pride, but every day.
How are you celebrating Pride Month yourself?
Pride Month is a time of joy, reflection, and community. So, I will be celebrating Pride Month by supporting local LGBTQIA+ businesses, participating in the San Diego Pride Parade with the True Colors ERG, and spending time with my chosen family within the LGBTQIA+ community. These are some of the ways I get to live out loud living Pride every day but also fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity with the people I love.
What advice would you give someone who is a new ally or member to the LGBTQIA+ community?
If I had to give advice to someone who is a new ally to the LGBTQIA+ community I would say as an ally there are three big ways to show up:
- Listen to the voices of individuals living within this diverse community and try to learn their stories and struggles. They are all different and each important.
- Be accepting and kind to yourself in the process, no matter where you are in your journey, and look for points of connection with others even if they seem different from you.
- Take action through education. Marginalized communities have no choice but to resist bigotry. A huge part of being an ally is understanding the core issues impacting the queer community and educating others about their ongoing struggles. Look up local and national legislation that impacts the LGBTQIA+ community and take action with local community groups. Read up!
What’s something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am a professional musician outside of work and have been a working musician since I was 14 years old. In middle school, I was part of a semi-professional school group, Mariachi Chula Vista. This group allowed me to travel on tour nationally and internationally as a high school student, which fueled my passion for travel. Once I graduated, I began playing and singing more diverse music like RnB, Jazz, and Funk. Now as an adult, I mostly do shows in casinos, bars, festivals, and recording sessions. One of my all-time favorite annual performances is the Mustache Bash Festival, an eccentric funk fest.