Diogo, Programme Manager
"I am Diogo and I work as a programme manager at European Social Fund Plus(ESF).
I was 21 years old when I had my first office job. Then, still at the private sector, I was not out at work and for a few months I made a point of it. With time, I gained more confidence in myself and since then I am proudly out to my colleagues. Why? Because it is not possible or admissible for me to live a double life. I started working for the European Commission in 2020 and my attitude was no different: I am open about myself and my family since the first day, and always felt welcomed. My work in the LGBTQI+ staff association Égalité made me realize that my experience is not true to everyone, and many colleagues still don’t feel comfortable in being their whole selves at work. Since I started I’ve seen direct policies to combat queerphobia and to make LGBTQI colleagues feel safe. There’s still work to be done, but I am happy to work for an European institution where the internal efforts match the external public policies put forward. And because I want all new comers to feel as safe as I did here, I will continue to push for more LGBTQI awareness and inclusivity.”
Alice, learning, development, well-being and DEI assistant, Co-President of Diversité Europe
“I’m Alice and I work for the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament as a learning, development, well-being and DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion) assistant.
I am also the co-President of “Diversité Europe”, the Inter-institutional staff association whose one of the main objectives is to raise awareness of ethnic and racial diversity and promote the inclusion of all staff in all categories and at all career levels within EU institutions and bodies.
What makes EU institutions extraordinary is people with ordinary dreams working there. I genuinely only wanted to grow old in a Europe where equity, equality and inclusion are also a reality for people like me, and not anymore a promise only. I would really encourage people from diverse backgrounds to join the EU institutions to ensure that we leave to the next generation a European heritage we can all be proud of.”