We’re here. We’re queer. We’re Zalando.

This summer I went to my first Pride parade in over 10 years. Well, in Germany we call it “Christopher Street Day”. Wieso auch immer.

I felt like my bubble burst. I thought we’re past the era of identity politics. But the Amnesty International truck reminded me that in many countries, persecution is the norm and takes dramatic, ghastly form. Nie wieder.

But my spirits were also lifted. It was fun to be in this familiar atmosphere of freedom and openness. Of love, even! Joy bubbled up to feel part of what used to be my community, years ago. Wunderbar.

It struck me that the parade truck of a certain US tech employer was just half full. This company explicitly states that they want to become the tech employer of choice for the LGBTQI+ community. I’m sure they’re sincere. But according to rumor, they had recently laid off a lot of employees in Berlin. Ashamed to admit it, but I also found this fun, seeing this company’s bubble burst. Schadenfreude!

Think what you like of corporate presence at Pride, but I was proud of the well-populated, beautifully-designed Zalando truck. Our company is careful to make sure that it’s involvement is driven from the bottom up by LGBTQI+ employees — no rainbow-washing. Und das ist gut so.

That said, I think we can fly our flag higher. I can well imagine that we’re already the queerest tech employer in Europe. Not to play too much into stereotypes, but face it: We’re a FASHION company. We’re about enabling self-expression. Free to be.

So, for me, Zalando is a shoe-in to be the European — maybe even global — tech employer of choice for queer folks of any stripe.

Curious: Beyond the 40% shopping discount for bursting open your closet, what would draw YOU to an employer? What would make you feel included despite — or rather because of — whatever queer streak you have?

We welcome you at Zalando SE to help us build that company.