As we celebrate Pride Month, we hear from Karolina, our HUB24 BDM based in Victoria. Karolina shares her personal journey and how her friends, family and HUB24 colleagues have helped her embrace her true authentic self in life and work.
Can you share a bit about your personal journey?
Growing up in a Catholic Polish household, my journey to self-acceptance was not always easy. My parents, seeking a new life in Australia, brought with them their own set of values that made discussing topics like sexuality almost forbidden.
From my earliest memories, I knew I was different. Crushes on girls during primary school were carefully hidden away, buried beneath layers of secrecy. Throughout my schooling, I concealed my true self, even going as far as having a boyfriend to maintain the facade. Yet, amidst the struggle to fit in, sports emerged as my sanctuary. Soccer became more than just a game; it became my identity, a place where I could escape the internal conflict.
It wasn’t until I started university that my best friend, Damien, whom I’d known since Primary school, confided in me about his sexuality. Overwhelmed with emotion, I shared my own secret with him for the first time, which made our bond unbreakable to this day. The relief of not carrying this burden alone was profound; it gave me hope, leading to the confidence to form a wonderful circle of gay friends. While socialising at gay pubs and clubs, I created more comfort in myself around similar people, however, I remained closeted to my work colleagues, straight friends, and family until the age of 25. The fear of judgment and potential humiliation made it incredibly challenging to embrace vulnerability.
What was a turning point for you?
I met my wife, Ashlee, in 2010. After several months of dating, I knew she was ‘the one’ and because of this, I built up the courage to finally come out to my straight friends, work colleagues, and most importantly, my family.
While I share a very close bond with my mum, I anticipated her shock and disappointment. Initially she didn’t understand, however over time she came to accept me for who I was and formed a strong, loving connection with Ashlee.
This year marks our 14th anniversary with Ashlee. We eloped in 2014 at a time when gay marriage was not yet legal in Australia, but with its legalisation in 2017, we formalised our union surrounded by close friends and family. The joy continued as we welcomed our daughter, Ava, into the world in June 2022 and we are thrilled to announce that we are expecting baby number 2 in December 2024!!
Today, how important is your identity in the workplace?
Finding people who share your identity requires vulnerability. Throughout my upbringing and as I entered the workforce,
I concealed a significant part of myself and felt compelled to fabricate weekend stories, hesitant to reveal my truth to colleagues as I didn’t feel safe to share. With time, however, I grew more comfortable and prouder of who I am.
I remember reading an article a few years ago about Andrew Alcock, HUB24’s CEO and I instantly thought what a wonderful, brave man to open up about his own story – I may have even shed a few tears. I admired HUB24 from the sidelines for numerous years. HUB24 is a diverse business that aims to create a workplace and culture that is safe, respectful and inclusive – where everyone feels valued and can participate fully as themselves. This includes the LGBTQIA+ community.
I have felt completely safe and open to be my true authentic self around the entire HUB24 team nationally and BIG kudos to my wonderful VIC/TAS team – I genuinely feel this is where I am meant to be. Thank you HUB24 for making me feel proud of who I am and encouraging me to be the best version of myself, which means I can deliver with integrity to our clients and to my colleagues. When it comes to our team, it isn’t about the individual and where they come from – their race, religion, gender, sexuality – it’s how we succeed as one and create endless possibilities for our business and clients.
How do you celebrate Pride Month?
We celebrate with our community, which now includes other same-sex parents with children.
At HUB24, we’ve also been celebrating by sharing stories of our people and what Pride Month means to them. I really enjoy hearing these stories – everyone celebrates pride and diversity in different ways. We’ll also celebrate with some social events around the country.
Why do you think Pride Month is important, both for LGBTQIA+ community and for society as a whole?
Pride Month holds profound significance for me – It’s a time to commemorate the struggles of those who came before
us and celebrate the progress we’ve made. It serves as a beacon of hope, promoting acceptance and fostering a brighter future for generations to come.
What advice would you give other LGBTQIA+ individuals who may be struggling with acceptance or visibility?
To those struggling with acceptance or visibility, my advice is simple: reach out. You are not alone. Whether it’s through support networks or connecting with others who share your experiences, know that there’s a community ready to embrace you with open arms. Love is love, and by embracing our true authentic selves, we pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.