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      For Your Life June 25, 2024

      Old National’s Aja Casper Shares What Pride Means to Her

      Pride Month, celebrated throughout the month of June, is an annual celebration of the many contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community to history and cultures worldwide.

      Pride celebrations in the U.S. trace their roots to the Stonewall Riots of June 1969. In June 2000, President Bill Clinton officially designated June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, in recognition of the Stonewall Riots and gay activism throughout the years. A more-inclusive name was chosen in 2009 by President Barack Obama: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

      As we celebrate Pride Month here at Old National, we encouraged team members to share their stories and what Pride Month means to them.

      Aja Casper
      Learning and Development Specialist – Evansville, Indiana

      What does Pride Month mean to you?

      Pride Month is a celebration of having the courage to be authentic and live your truth - being vulnerable like that is scary. Pride is the knowledge that it is OK to be you even in the face of adversity. Pride is knowing that love has zero boundaries and doesn’t discriminate. Pride is standing up for the fundamental right to love and support everyone else who has been judged by who they love.

      How do you celebrate Pride month?

      I always attend River City Pride; they work hard all year long to provide a wonderful event. I find time to volunteer with Matthew 25, which is an organization that focuses on the plight of LGBT+ community members.

      Can you share a personal story or related experience to being LGBTQ+ or an ally that has impacted you?

      I am surrounded by people that align with the Community: my best friend is married to another woman. My brother came out as gay man in the early 2000s. I am raising a queer child - she laughs when I say it, but we protect our queer babies at all cost - they're the ones most at risk for suicide and self-harm. The relationship with my daughter has become even stronger; she knows mom has her back 100% at all times.

      How do you support the LGBTQ+ community within and outside of the workplace?

      Even in 2024, not everyone is on board with LGBTQ+ equality. Inside the workplace, creating a safe place for our LGBTQ+ community starts from the top: leaders that understand the value of diversity and policies that do not tolerate discrimination and bullying.

      Outside these four walls, it is now more important than ever that we continue to reflect, educate ourselves, and take action to be good allies to the LGBTQ+ community. Offer yourself as a resource for someone so they know they are in a safe place with you.

      Why is it important for organizations to have a commitment to Inclusion?

      Members of the LGBT+ community still face discrimination today for their sexual orientation or gender identity. While there's no template for a perfect inclusive workplace, inclusivity should always be part of the process of determining organizational values. Celebrate differences & make visible allyship an integral part of the culture.

      What is one message you would like to share with our team members during Pride Month?

      Pride Month is celebrating and supporting each other. It's the perfect time to be kind to not only ourselves, but the ones we love and bridging the gap of marginalization. Also, choose inclusive gender non-specific language such as folks, teams, friends, etc. to prevent someone feeling excluded.

      Is there any else you would like us to add?

      Good intentions simply isn't enough - we should continuously educate ourselves about the LGBT+ experiences and advocate for equality.

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