Commercial real estate service CBRE celebrated Pride Month by tackling the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in the workplace.

On June 26, the company launched the forum titled “Flying Colors: A Forum on LGBTQIA+ Representation in the Corporate World.”

The forum highlighted the lives of corporate trailblazers who are LGBTQIA+ members to empower the rest of their community to take up space in the corporate world.

It also raised awareness about the real situation that the LGBTQIA+ community faces and how they can possibly overcome discrimination and prejudice as part of the industry.

One of the speakers, Iya Antonion, highlighted that she became more open to her true personality and continued to pursue her goals despite the perception of society.

“I don’t really care about what others say about me ‘cause I know that I’m not doing anything wrong,” she added.

This was then supported by businessman Jericho Go, who is a parent to a transwoman, who added that support really matters to the queer community.

“It’s always the love of a parent. We don’t want our child to be bullied,” he pointed out. “I basically said [to my child], I accept who you are. I love you because you’re our child,” he said.

Following the stance that members of the LGBTQIA+ community are currently facing in the corporate world, a speaker also highlighted the essence of showing one’s capability to combat discrimination.

“You are a combination of so many different things and not just your gender. Be good at something that they cannot resist you,” IFC World Bank Group’s Angelo Tan said.

The pride forum was attended by people in leadership positions from companies and students from different universities to promote further support for the LGBTQIA+ community.