Celebrating Pride Month 2024 at Kent

This Pride Month, Kent is proud to celebrate and share some of the inspiring stories of our employees.

One of the many heartfelt stories we are honoured to share is from one of our colleagues whose journey embodies our values of inclusion and support. They, along with their life partner and a couple of friends, embarked on an extraordinary journey of co-parenting during the challenging times of the pandemic. Their story is a testament to the power of love, community, and a solid support system.

Rainbow Families: Co-Parenting Through the Storm

Hey, everyone!

I'm a member of the Kent team, and I'm here to make you smile (maybe even laugh) by sharing a pretty amazing story about my family.

Picture this: It's the middle of the pandemic. My partner and I, along with a couple of our friends, got bored baking bread and learning TikTok dances. So we decided, "Hey, let’s have a baby!"

Having a baby is challenging enough, but during a pandemic? We must be insane! Well, love makes you do crazy things.

Thankfully, we had a secret weapon: a senior leader at Kent. Known for his progressive thinking and unwavering support for diversity & inclusion, he was so excited when I told him about our plan, he even shared our story with his wife. His support and Kent's inclusive policies made it possible for us to tackle the process during these crazy times.

Fast forward to the arrival of our beautiful baby girl. Now, she’s nearly three years old, full of energy, and has the cutest laugh that can brighten the darkest day.

My partner, friends and I, juggle parenting duties like a well-oiled machine. On most days, at least. We have been known to mix up lunchboxes and show up to school events in the wrong costumes. But we wouldn’t trade it for the world. Especially since co-parenting with three other adults means there’s always someone available for emergency diaper runs or late-night lullabies.

At Kent, our story has become a symbol of what true inclusivity looks like. The company’s culture of supporting all kinds of families means that employees can bring their whole selves to work. Knowing that our family is accepted and valued here makes all the difference.

Raising our daughter has taught us the power of love and community. Despite the challenges, we’ve created a nurturing environment where she can flourish. Our journey is proof that love knows no boundaries and that with the right support, even the wildest dreams can come true.

Kent’s dedication to diversity & inclusion has transformed our lives and set a shining example for other companies. Our story celebrates courage, love and the belief that everyone deserves to create their own version of happiness — even if it involves late-night brainstorming sessions on how to get a toddler to eat broccoli.

As our daughter grows, she’ll always have the love and support of her four parents and her extended family at Kent. That's what happens when love and acceptance win.

PS: Chasing a toddler in your forties is like participating in an extreme sport where the prize is exhaustion, and the trophy is a nap!

Learn more about Inclusion & Belonging at Kent: https://kentplc.com/sustainability/principles/inclusion-belonging-at-kent