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Pride. Present. Pam: As I Am!
Her Early Years: Facing Internal Struggles
Growing up, Pam didn’t fully explore who she was. While she went through her teenage milestones, she now realizes that some things didn’t quite add up. 'Looking back, I realize that my feelings were trying to tell me something in moments when my friends in high school made jokes about other girls—about their choice of clothing, attractiveness, or having a "girl crush." Avoiding this feeling continued into her university years. She dated men and lived what Pam calls a “normal student life.” But deep down, something was missing. I’d tell myself I just hadn’t found the right guy yet,' she explains.
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Her Turning Point: Letting Go of Fear
Pam’s life began to change in the summer of 2022 when a casual night out turned into a moment of clarity. 'I was dancing with a woman at a party,' she says. 'And for the first time, something in my brain clicked, I allowed myself to experience this feeling. That feeling stayed with me for months. It was so clear, and I couldn’t ignore it anymore.' Things accelerated when Pam opened up to close friends. Their support gave her the courage to be more open. Later, during a family conversation about LGBTQ+ topics, she took an unexpected turn. 'I suddenly said, ‘I don’t even know if I’ll end up with a man.’ It shocked me more than it shocked my parents, and their response was completely supportive. I never doubted my parents’ support, but having said it out loud was a big step forward for me.'
Her First Pride: The Power of a Safe Workplace
Growing up, Pam didn’t fully explore who she was. While she went through her teenage milestones, she now realizes that some things didn’t quite add up. 'Looking back, I realize that my feelings were trying to tell me something in moments when my friends in high school made jokes about other girls—about their choice of clothing, attractiveness, or having a "girl crush." Avoiding this feeling continued into her university years. She dated men and lived what Pam calls a “normal student life.” But deep down, something was missing. I’d tell myself I just hadn’t found the right guy yet,' she explains.
Her Turning Point: Letting Go of Fear
Pam’s life began to change in the summer of 2022 when a casual night out turned into a moment of clarity. 'I was dancing with a woman at a party,' she says. 'And for the first time, something in my brain clicked, I allowed myself to experience this feeling. That feeling stayed with me for months. It was so clear, and I couldn’t ignore it anymore.' Things accelerated when Pam opened up to close friends. Their support gave her the courage to be more open. Later, during a family conversation about LGBTQ+ topics, she took an unexpected turn. 'I suddenly said, ‘I don’t even know if I’ll end up with a man.’ It shocked me more than it shocked my parents, and their response was completely supportive. I never doubted my parents’ support, but having said it out loud was a big step forward for me.'
Representation at work matters. Small things like a kind word or invite can make a difference.
PAM COFFENG | Senior Staff, Audit
Her Lessons Learned: An Advice for Others
Growing up, Pam didn’t fully explore who she was. While she went through her teenage milestones, she now realizes that some things didn’t quite add up. 'Looking back, I realize that my feelings were trying to tell me something in moments when my friends in high school made jokes about other girls—about their choice of clothing, attractiveness, or having a "girl crush." Avoiding this feeling continued into her university years. She dated men and lived what Pam calls a “normal student life.” But deep down, something was missing. I’d tell myself I just hadn’t found the right guy yet,' she explains.