“Being part of the LGBTQ+ community feels like being part of a small family, where we come together to be proud of who we are and support one another.”
Tony O'Reilly
Bank Retail Staff
This month, along with many others, we’ve been celebrating Pride here at Abri. While it’s a time to celebrate, reflect, and show our support for LGBTQ+ colleagues, customers, and communities, it’s also a reminder that there’s more to do - and that’s something we’re absolutely committed to.
As part of Pride, we spoke to Tony O’Reilly, who works as one of our Bank Retail colleagues in our London region, about what Pride means to him, his experience coming out, being an active ally and creating more inclusive environments.
Pride and allyship
Pride Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate our differences - the very things that make us unique. For me, being part of the LGBTQ+ community feels like being part of a small family, where we come together to be proud of who we are and support one another.
Being an active ally plays a huge part in this. To me, allyship is about actively listening, encouraging others and respecting the diversity of who we represent. At its core, it’s about recognising that we are all human. It means celebrating people for who they are and supporting them in being proud of the huge and often difficult step of “coming out” - and feeling confident enough to show the world their true self.
My journey
My own journey has shaped how strongly I feel about Pride. As a gay non-binary person, coming out to my family and friends was not easy. I found it difficult to share my true identity and often felt uncomfortable doing so. I sought comfort in LGBTQ+ spaces, like gay clubs in Malta and New York, where I was surrounded by people reminding me that it’s okay to be who you are. They created a sense of belonging, telling me that if your family don’t accept you, there is a wider community that will.
When I did come out, my immediate family were accepting - they told me they had always known I was different and that now I was complete. My dad’s side of the family were also supportive, but things were more challenging on my mum’s side. I stayed away from them for eight years because I was afraid of being judged. Over time, that changed. Before I met my now husband, they told me they were proud of me and recognised my achievements. But those eight years were shaped by fear and uncertainty.
Throughout all of this, I’ve also experienced what true allyship can look like. I have many friends who identify as straight but have always supported and stood up for me. Whether it was challenging people who judged me for small things like painting my nails, or simply reminding me not to let negativity affect me, they made it clear that I could be unapologetically myself.
“I feel incredibly supported at Abri. The people around me don’t judge me for who I am -they accept me as me.”
Creating a more inclusive environment starts with understanding just how significant “coming out” can be. It’s about no longer hiding your identity or sexuality and stepping into who you really are. In 2026, we should recognise that we are all unique. I often think of it like this: under pressure, we may feel like coal, but over time, that pressure shapes us into diamonds.
Ultimately, it comes down to treating people with respect - not focusing on identity or sexuality, but simply treating others how you would want to be treated.
At Abri, we’re proud to stand as an ally.
We know that when people feel safe, valued, and able to bring their true selves to work, they do their best work and feel happier doing it. That’s why inclusion isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something we act on every day.
From signing the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge, to launching our LGBTQ+ colleague network and introducing pronouns in email signatures, we’re building on a culture where everyone feels respected and supported.