A look back at the PROUT AT WORK-Foundation’s birthday celebration
On December 4, 2013, the PROUT AT WORK-Foundation was officially established — with the idea of supporting and connecting queer people in the working world.
Almost ten years later, on April 25, 2024, around 200 people gathered at the Microsoft Atrium in Berlin to celebrate this anniversary under the motto “Together. Courageous. Queer.” Among them were individuals who have supported the foundation since its early days, as well as others who have become important allies over time.
The light-flooded hall quickly filled up that evening, hands were shaken, and congratulations exchanged. When drag queen Barbie Breakout took the stage to host the evening with humor and poise, the room erupted in applause. After a brief introduction, Andre Hansel, Head of Program and Operations at Microsoft Berlin, took the stage and warmly welcomed the guests on behalf of the hosts. Barbie Breakout then invited the PROUT AT WORK board members Albert Kehrer and Dr. Jean-Luc Vey to join her. They thanked the attendees on behalf of the foundation for coming and reflected on the achievements of the past ten years — on the progress that once seemed utopian.
Queer Representation in politics
For a long time, the idea of queer representation in politics also seemed just as utopian.
Barbie Breakout highlighted this point before handing the microphone over to Nyke Slawik, trans* activist and member of the German Bundestag.
In her speech, Slawik reflected on the socio-political history of the queer community while emphasizing the hard-won freedoms that now must be continuously protected. She also praised the commitment of the PROUT AT WORK-Foundation to the Self-Determination Act, which was recently passed by the Bundestag. Further insights into the work for queer diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace were provided through an interview led by Albert Kehrer with Sofia Strabis, Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Commerzbank, and Reinhard Nissl, Head of HR at Microsoft.
After this wealth of input, the approximately 50 lighthearted video messages from long-time companions of the foundation — including actor Brix Schaumburg, who performed his own version of “Happy Birthday” — elicited smiles and laughter from the audience.
In contrast, Barbie Breakout and later PROUT AT WORK board member Albert Kehrer shared personal anecdotes about their own journeys: stories marked by the relief of living openly as queer individuals, by perseverance, and by love.
However, Albert Kehrer also struck a more serious tone, addressing the audience with a warning and drawing attention to the increasingly hostile climate toward queer people in Germany:
“We need queer people […]
to stay visible and not
start hiding themselves.”
With drinks, snacks, and networking, accompanied by the music of the DJ duo Königsmann, the attendees finally wrapped up the evening. Still with the lyrics from Mano Thiravongs’ previous performance in mind, and a quiet sense of anticipation for the next ten years: “There’s always gonna be another mountain, I’m always gonna wanna make it move.”
IMPRESSIONs
