Whitbread Pride 2023 - Dominik

 

Hi, my name's Dominik.

I’m 27 years old and I live in a small town in Germany. I’ve worked for Premier Inn since April 2021. I started as Night Auditor in the Premier Inn Saarbrücken City Centre. In February 2022 I changed Position to the Skills Trainer Team and helped to open Hotels in Germany and trained our Teams in the F&B Section and since May 2023 I’ve returned to the team in Saarbrücken.

 

What does Pride mean to you?

I think pride Is important because we have still a lot of issues in the world. And we have still to fight for equal rights - now more than ever. After the last couple of months, a lot’s changed in the world for LGBTQ+ People. We, as the LGBTQ+ Community, must show we can’t be silenced and we’re a part of the world. I think that’s why Pride is vital today.

 

Why do you think Pride is important?

Yes, it is important to celebrate pride as a company. Because there is still a lot of discrimination in working life. Whitbread must show that they respect and accept every person out there and not just one group of people. And I think they must go even further then just to celebrate Pride; they must show every day that they support LGBTQ+ People.

 

What is your favourite Pride memory?

My first Pride was when I was 12 years old, that’s now 15 years ago. At that time Pride in Germany was just a party and a show. But over the years changed it a bit until we got same sex marriage here. Then I think it started again to show more protest but still a lot of party and fun. And in the last couple of years, it changed again, and I have to say I’m happy about it, because it includes more Non-Binary and Trans-People.

I would say: Just be yourself don’t let anybody say it’s not right what you feel. And don’t be scared to be seen. You are who you are. Show the world your brightest smile and just have fun. If you’re not sure how you feel and you don’t know who you are yet, talk to people. They will love to share their experience and they can help you to find your true self.

 

What do you hope is accomplished by this time next year?

What I hope to be achieved next is a tough question. If I look at my home country, I hope that we will change the adoption law soon. That LGBTQ+ people can adopt children far more easily and start families.