We’ve Got Postscript Pride! Meet our ERG Leader and Shop Some Favorite LGBTQ+ Brands
Laura Serino
June 1, 2022
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Happy Pride 🏳️🌈 ! Being advocates and allies to the LGBTQ+ community is a core tenet of our culture here at Postscript.
In celebration of Pride Month, we spoke to David Lacho, a Senior Software Engineer at Postscript and an active member of our PSPride community. He weighs in on the initiatives he’s been working on at Postscript, how he personally celebrates Pride, and his favorite LGBTQ+ merchants to shop this month and beyond.
Tell us about your role at Postscript. What does your day-to-day look like?
Hi! I’m David (Queer, He/Him/They/Them). I’m a Senior Software Engineer at Postscript. During my day-to-day, I write code that makes our platform run. I also meet with my team, discuss the architecture of our codebase, and lead technical initiatives that are often cross-team collaborations.
You also lead the LGBTQ+ group at Postscript. Can you talk a little bit about how the group got started and what you’re aiming to achieve?
Our group was started by a former employee. When I started working at Postscript in August 2020, we were a small group of 3. It’s always been a casual place where we can chat about Queer-related issues in the news, our successes and wins, and how we can include ourselves more in the work that we do.
Very recently, we formed official ERG groups that are supported by the company. I care deeply about LGBTQ+ rights, so it felt natural to put my name forward to lead the team and to contribute to the company’s diversity efforts. I really want to engage the team to be active and bring their whole selves to work.
What are some initiatives you’ve worked on in the past year for our LGBTQ+ employees—and why does this matter to you?
We’ve been very casual in our initiatives up until now, but I have worked with the People Ops team on developing an inclusive language policy, and to help out where I can in laying the groundwork for our ERGs.
Recently, we created a mission statement for our group through an asynchronous survey. I made sure that I included at least one value or purpose statement from each individual who contributed so that the PSPride mission statement truly reflected the LGBTQ+ employees that contribute to Postscript’s success.
What are your feelings on the impact of employee resource groups (ERGs) in a workplace?
We don’t have a cookie-cutter model of ERGs; they’re very employee-driven, and a lot of the diversity initiatives come from these groups. It’s been really nice to see that Postscript has started to support us with resourcing to bring to light that we are important and a crucial part of the company’s success.
It’s also great to have a direct line of communication to the senior leadership. I recently heard a podcast where Brené Brown said that it’s not about encouraging or simply having a voice for diversity and inclusion—it’s about finding the ears to listen, and I feel like we have that now at Postscript.
What are you most excited about right now—personally or professionally?
Honestly, taking advantage of our unlimited PTO and heading to Montreal with my fiancé. We’ve been planning a vacation for a few months, but right before we were supposed to leave, I fell very sick with COVID. We’re looking forward to disconnecting, relaxing, and enjoying all that Montreal has to offer. Poutine anyone?
How do you plan on celebrating Pride Month?
I’m very extroverted online, but if you ever meet me in person, I’m generally very quiet. Pride is deeply personal for me. I use it as a time to reflect on who I am and how I’ve become the proud person I am today. I don’t usually attend parties and parades, but I do enjoy the community aspect. I’ll probably have a barbeque or kickback with my close friends just to celebrate.
Have any favorite LGBTQ+ owned brands on Postscript?
Yes! I’m a big fan of Kaftko. They make beautiful gender neutral, size inclusive, and age appropriate kaftans. It is owned by a gay Iraqi-American designer, Oday Shakar, and their patterns are fun and flirty. You might find me by the pool in Puerto Vallarta next winter wearing one.
I also really enjoy Only Human. They are a queer owned business and celebrate other businesses as well. They are also huge on awareness and education. They are doing 30 days of Pride texts for the month of June. There’s a lot of great information and proud moments for the business and in history that they’ll be celebrating.
Finally, I have my own Shopify Store, Stay Golden, Boy! I draw line art based on historic beefcake magazines and print them on shirts and patches. I’m really trying to develop a brand around queerness and physique, while also making nods to my prairie heritage.
Anything else you’d like to share with the Postscript community?
Postscript really lets me be who I am, which gives me the headspace to focus on the work that I do day-to-day. I feel really supported, and proud to be out and Queer with my colleagues.
LGBTQ+ Owned Brands You Can Shop Right Now👇
Mars is a Trans artist and activist who creates garments that celebrate Trans joy. His illustrated designs are available on everything from tees and tanks to shorts and bowling shirts. A portion of sales go directly to the Black Trans community through the Unique Woman’s Coalition (UWC).
Snif
Cofounders Bryan and Phil were fragrance lovers, but hated how outdated and overwhelming the traditional fragrance department experiences were. They started Snif to offer genderless, clean fragrance options that are redefining the entire scent experience.
Real-life couple and candle cofounders Alaina and Jocelyn realized they were both luxury candle holders when they first started dating. They decided to create their own line of luxurious scents at a more affordable price. Each scent is inspired by a woman in pop culture who celebrates female empowerment.
“Give back gear” is the best way to describe apparel brand Only Human. Not only do they spread messages of kindness in the form of clothing, but they also donate 10% of all profits each month to a new charity that aligns with their mission. Their store also offers resources for anyone going through a struggle.
Kaftko kaftans are made for all: her, him, their—from golden years, adult, to small. They define themselves as “fashion fluid,” going even further to ban stereotypes related to clothing. Iraqi-American designer Oday Shakar has reclaimed this traditional garment with joyful prints that anyone can wear.
Wishing you all a safe, happy and joy-filled Pride!
Laura Serino
Senior Manager of Content and Community
Laura is the Senior Content Marketing Manager at Postscript. She has spent the past decade working in ecommerce. When she isn't writing about her favorite topic (marketing) or listening to podcasts about her other favorite topic (ecommerce), she's hanging out with her two sons on an island off the coast of Maine.