As we embark on another June, I am honored to once again join the chorus of voices celebrating Pride Month. As the Founder, President, and CEO of Pyxis Partners, a company deeply rooted in the LGBTQI+ community, I find myself reflecting on our journey, our triumphs, and the challenges that still lie ahead. Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate the determination of those who have advocated and fought to acquire and maintain equal rights and dignity for members of our community. Pride is both an uplifting celebration of visibility and a personal celebration of self-worth and dignity for all members and allies of the LGBTQI+ community.
Last year, I shared with you a poignant memory from the mid-1980s, participating in a Pride March amidst the devastation of the AIDS pandemic. That moment, pushing the wheelchair of a young man named Nick, remains etched in my memory as a testament to the resilience and unity of our community in the face of adversity. I was diagnosed with HIV in 1988, only a few years after the United States government publicly acknowledged the existence of the virus for the first time. The advancements in both equality and health care that we as a country have made since then are the reason that I’m still alive, the reason that I can be the president and CEO of my own company, and the reason that members of the LGBTQI+ community can be legally married in the eyes of the law. And we celebrate the progress that we have made every day, but especially during Pride Month.
Today, as we stand on the precipice of another Pride Month, I am deeply inspired by the progress we have made. From the approval of life-saving medications and the recognition of marriage equality to recognizing and affirming the rights of transgender individuals and implementing comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, each victory has been hard-won and serves as a reminder of the power of our collective voice. The past decade has undeniably marked a significant milestone for the LGBTQI+ community, as we have witnessed numerous advancements and victories in the pursuit of equality.
Yet, as we celebrate our achievements, we must also acknowledge the work that remains. The LGBTQI+ community continues to face stigma, discrimination, and targeted attacks, with our transgender siblings bearing the brunt of this violence and injustice. It is incumbent upon all of us to stand in solidarity with them, to amplify their voices, and to fight tirelessly for their rights.
At Pyxis Partners, we remain committed to this cause. Through our support of initiatives like Whitman-Walker Health's Gender Affirming Navigation Program, we strive to uplift and empower our transgender and non-binary colleagues and friends. We pledge to continue to uphold our thoughtful, passionate approach to advocacy and engagement, and our commitment to excellence in driving healthier communities, and we will continue to advocate for equal rights and do everything that we can to ensure that every member of the LGBTQI+ community can live authentically and without fear. As we celebrate Pride, let us not forget that our struggle is intertwined with that of all disenfranchised Americans. Let us continue to work towards a future where equality, acceptance, and love prevail.
To all those celebrating, I wish you a month filled with joy, resilience, and above all, pride.
With gratitude and solidarity,
Michael Manganiello
President and CEO, Pyxis Partners