PATRICK MCLAUCHLAN
Senior Buyer, Men's - Versace
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A
PART OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY?
Resilience. The resilience I see within the LGBTQ+ community daily is
something that I am not only proud of but inspired and humbled by. We
have hundreds of micro-coming outs daily; in every interaction we must
choose whether to be true to ourselves or to camouflage ourselves. The
energy I see in our community especially the youth in committing to their
truth despite all the hate and violence is what I am proud of.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING OPENLY OUT AND PROUD AT CAPRI?
I never take for granted that I work in an environment where I am comfortable to be myself and can be
open about my personal life with my colleagues. Safety and acceptance are not something LGBTQ+
people are guaranteed, and I consider myself extremely blessed to be able to be out and proud within my
place of work. Trans people of color are exponentially more likely to be attacked and or murdered and
we've got to do better. I have recently become an Ambassador of the Diversity & Inclusion Council at
Capri and I am committed to working on behalf of my colleagues to champion progress for all.
ANGELA LOUIS
Key Holder - Michael Kors
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE LGBT COMMUNITY
SHAPED YOU?
I have been with Capri ( Michael Kors) since November 8-2015. Growing
up in New York City with Old School Caribbean parents, being part of the
LGBT community was an absolute no and at 17 years old I was kick out. I
became a resident at Covenant House New York which was on 41 and 10th
avenue.. (Funny considering 10 plus years ago I was homeless kid walking
in front of Capri Holdings getting to my shelter and now to sit in my home in Santa Monica sharing my
experience with all you amazing people), truly inspiring.
Being Transgender and facing life struggles-reality can bring a youth down but no matter what I refused
to give up hope, deep down I knew I had a purpose. I did not want to be a statistic I wanted to make a
difference and show my parents and other young transgender homeless youth that you can overcome your
struggles. While being on the streets in and out of shelters I managed to graduate high school With Honors, land multiple paid internships through the shelters and drop-in centers. I started to find myself,
I also
learned how to be my own cheerleader and used all my talents and advantages that was given to me.
While facing my struggles and in my group home one of my advisors gave me a card in which read NamMyoho-Renge-Kyo.
When we chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, we are not praying to an external entity, our
prayers are expressions of intent engraved in the depths of our being enabling us to experience the energy
and wisdom to live a more fulfilling life, giving us the strength to overcome Each and every obstacle.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS
|PRIDE 2021 14