Justin Bousquet

Sr. Treasury Management Consultant | PRISM Secretary

For Justin, Pride is something to celebrate every day. He and his partner do so by staying involved in Atlanta's LGBTQ community, donating to fundraisers like Backpacks in the Park and Atlanta Toy Party — an annual toy drive for kids in need — and supporting local LGBTQ-friendly businesses. They also participate in local LGBTQ sports leagues like Stonewall Atlanta. While all this — and celebrating Atlanta Pride in October — keeps them busy, they cherish spending their time this way, with friends and family from all over the world in one place, celebrating the community they love.

Aside from the fundraisers and parades during Pride Month, Justin reflects on how far the LGBTQ community has come and the progress still needed. It’s also a time in which he remembers the friends and family within the community that he’s lost over the years. But despite that, seeing all the organizations that come out to support Pride remind him that the LGBTQ community is not alone in its fight for equality.

Given how active Justin is with local organizations, he likes to remind others that getting involved is how we remove the stigmas associated with the LGBTQ community. Whether donating time and money to nonprofits like Atlanta’s Lost-n-found Youth or participating in LGBTQ events and groups at work, he knows there is power in making your voice heard.

While the LGBTQ community faces many challenges, Justin encourages its members to be authentically themselves as they work to overcome misunderstandings from friends, family or coworkers. After all, it’s our differences — skin color, religion, life experiences, etc. — that make this world such a beautiful place.