Pride Month Perspectives: Anna Ing
June is Pride Month, a time to recognize the history, contributions, and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community while celebrating the voices that help shape a connected and supportive workplace.
This year’s theme, Unity & Visibility: Coming Together to Make Our LGBTQ+ Stories Heard, reflects the importance of listening to one another and creating environments where people feel seen and valued.
Throughout the month, meet associates from across Compass Group’s family of businesses whose personal stories and professional journeys reflect the power of community and belonging.
First up is Anna Ing, an operations support manager for FLIK Hospitality Group. For her, Pride Month is both a celebration and a powerful reminder of how important visibility and acceptance remain for LGBTQ+ communities.
“It’s a chance for our community to be acknowledged and celebrated. We are your friends, neighbors, coworkers – and we have accomplishments that should be brought to light,” shared Anna. “It’s also the chance to give encouragement to folks who aren’t out yet.”
Some of the most meaningful moments in her journey center around family and the ability to live the life she once never imagined possible.
“Our first Pride parade with our daughter, was a memorable moment,” recalled Anna. “We participated in an ad campaign for marriage equality. One domestic partnership and a civil union later, we finally got the chance to be legally married.”
She also shared a memory that continues to stay with her years later.
“My wife and I were shopping at our local grocery store, and as we were walking back to our car with our daughter who was around 2 or 3, a woman stopped us and told us we had a beautiful family,” recalled Anna. “Eighteen-year-old me would have never imagined having a wife, child and a house with a picket fence. We’ve made it a point to participate in all of our daughter’s activities to show others we are just like every other family.”
Anna believes that creating inclusive workplaces starts with listening and ensuring associates feel empowered to speak openly about their experiences and concerns. Her reflections underscore the power of unity and visibility for all.