Carl and his family celebrate diversity: "There has to be room for everybody"
When PR Consultant at Møns Bank Carl Henrik Paulsen and his family join Copenhagen Pride, they will be singing along to "It's Raining Men". They want to celebrate the right to be who you are and encourage others to join in.
Finansforbundet has been part of the Pride parade since 2021 and will again this year be among the many participants in their festive garments on parade day which is 17 August. In addition, the trade union sponsors Copenhagen Pride, but works for a diverse labour market throughout the year, Vice President Steen Lund Olsen points out.
"Because the fight for communities accommodating everybody – regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and what other traits we bring – has in many ways never been more important," he states.
"The right to be you"
When Finansforbundet takes to the streets, it is with banners, signs and T-shirts with the message ‘The right to be you’. And there is a good reason for that, Steen Lund Olsen explains:
"It's a matter very near to the heart of Finansforbundet that we should all be able to be true to ourselves, also when we go to work." It’s good for well-being. And it's generally more fun to go to work when we can be ourselves without reservations." That's why 'The right to be you' is the message we take to the streets when celebrating Pride," he says.
And for the bankers from Næstved, it is a very important message that they are more than happy to support.
"It doesn’t matter if it’s gender, sexuality, skin colour or religion, it's about celebrating the right to be whoever you are and the right to love whomever you love," says Marina Paulsen.
An inclusive sector
Carl Henrik Paulsen has about 100 colleagues at Møns Bank, but how many of them are gay, he does not know.
"It's not important. In fact, it is completely irrelevant. The important thing is that the bank accommodates all types of people, and I certainly think it does – and I sense this to be true for the financial sector in general," he says.
Leather and lacquer and drag queens
The couple are both looking forward to dancing their way through the capital again in August, because it is a very special experience to be part of the Pride parade.
"There are some in leather and lacquer, and there are beautiful drag queens. And there are a lot of gay couples kissing and holding hands. It's one of those days a year when they can do so without risking insults – because unfortunate
They hope that many others will support and join the parade.
"You cheat yourself out of a fantastic experience if you don't go along," she says and is supplemented by her husband:
"And even if you come alone, everybody is very welcoming."
