Casey Is Pride

Charles

Guided By History continues its series of reflections as Pride month continues. Today, we welcome Casey Gill.

Casey is Curator at our Wells Fargo History Museum in San Diego. Last fall, as you remember, Casey also re-created the first overland stagecoach journey from St. Louis to San Francisco. The trip was a huge success, and Casey doubly impressed us by surviving a hurricane in the process!

Casey's also a local legend, of sorts, whose Museum tours are a "must see" for schools and history buffs from around the globe. (CR)

In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 the patrons of the Stonewall Inn  — a bar popular with gays, transsexuals and transvestites — decided enough was enough and took a stand. Throughout the 1960s they had been harassed and prosecuted. But that early morning, when the police arrived to harass patrons, they stood their ground and fought back. They started a riot that lasted several days and sparked a movement that has lasted decades.

Growing up in the South during the 1980s, my life seemed far removed from the events of that night. Although nearly 20 years had passed since Stonewall by the time I came of age, life in my hometown could still be dangerous for a young gay person. Although much has changed now, the places we gathered then were still monitored and occasionally raided by the police. On more than one occasion, people were greeted with eggs thrown from a passing car, along with taunts and slurs and threats.

When I moved to San Diego in 1993, I discovered a whole new and liberating existence. There were places — whole neighborhoods, in fact — where gays were not only accepted but welcomed.

One of those places was Wells Fargo.

The pressure to hide who you really are at work can be an especially terrible burden, and in many cases can limit your career potential. But at Wells Fargo that burden has been lifted. Wells Fargo has a long proud tradition of honoring and encouraging diversity — all kinds of diversity. For decades, Wells Fargo has welcomed and valued the contributions of the LGBT community. In doing so, they have created a culture of inclusion and tolerance. In this kind of work environment, the only limits are ones we place on ourselves.

During this month of Pride celebrations, parades and festivals, it's important we remember those brave souls from Stonewall. But we should also take a moment to thank the important partners we have had along the way in companies like Wells Fargo.

I, for one, take great pride in working for a company that celebrates and supports not just the LGBT community, but all the communities it serves.