From Silence to Strength

Growing up in India, Aditya had little exposure to LGBTQ+ representation. He remembers, “The only portrayals I saw were characters in movies—almost always there for comic relief or ridicule. It gave me no sense that people like me could be smart, successful, and respected.” Aditya first encountered the word “gay” in middle school. He didn’t know its meaning, but he knew it was being used as an insult. These early experiences left a lasting impact and shaped Aditya’s identity through young adulthood. Even after moving to the Netherlands, he carried the weight of his past. “It wasn’t just about hiding my identity from others, it was about unlearning the shame I had internalized for years,” he says.

Embracing Pride as a Celebration and a Protest

Aditya’s first Pride in the Netherlands was a revelation. “I experienced the beauty of the canal parade, the joy of the celebration,” he says. “But the more I learned, the more I understood that Pride started as a protest—and it still needs to be.” Aditya emphasizes that while progress has been made, there’s still much work to do. “Even in a country as progressive as the Netherlands, discrimination and violence still happen. The transgender community, in particular, remains vulnerable. We can’t lose sight of that.” Navigating his identity in different cultural contexts has been one of Aditya’s most significant challenges. "For years, I maintained two versions of myself—one for my life in the Netherlands and another for my family back home. It was exhausting, I was constantly thinking about what to share and what to hide, even on something as simple as an Instagram story.”

Representation Matters – you cannot be what you cannot see

One of the most significant shifts for Aditya came from finding role models. “When I moved here, I began to see people who were unapologetically themselves—and successful and happy at the same time”. He remembers meeting a former colleague at his previous employer, an openly gay professional who was thriving as the head of a department. “It clicked for me that I didn’t have to choose between being professional and being authentic. I could be both.” Aditya now strives to be that representation for others. As a core team member of the Proud network since his first month at Deloitte, he’s worked to foster inclusion and psychological safety for LGBTQ+ colleagues. “Representation is a tool for change,” he says. “It’s about showing people what’s possible.” He recalls moments when new hires approached him during the Deloitte Introduction Days, sharing how seeing him speak made them feel represented and gave them the confidence to be themselves.

Living Authentically, and Empowering Others

Aditya’s journey hasn’t been without its struggles. Coming out to his family in India remains a delicate topic. While they’ve reached a place of acceptance, it’s a compromise. “They’re happy to see me happy—and that’s enough for now.” Through it all, Aditya has learned to focus on progress over perfection. “Coming out doesn’t solve everything,” he reflects. “It’s just the start of a new journey—one where you keep building your confidence, step by step.” Aditya’s growth over the past five years has been quite remarkable. From doubting how to express himself when walking down the streets of Utrecht to feeling free wearing a bold skirt during Amsterdam Pride. “Fashion has been a powerful tool for me,” he shares. “It’s not just about clothes—it’s about claiming my identity that feels true to me.”