b"PRIDEPRIDEIN GLOBAL MOBILITYBy Anna-Liza BadalooTwo relocation experts comment on the unique challengesfaced by mobile members of their own LGBTQ+ communityE mployees have a lot to thinkacquisition and global mobility at PwCWhen she was offered a relocation about when being relocatedCanada, James Davidson.package to move to Belgium, she was to another country, and itsexcited. Belgium is known for its gay-posi-not only their new job respon- Maestre and Davidson both identify astive culture, and she anticipated a smooth sibilities. They also need tomembers of the LGBTQ+ community.transition. But when she and her partner consider the cultural norms and lawsNot only have they both worked exten- got there, they were shocked by how many in their new destination. For LGBTQ+sively in global mobility (GM)both havethings they couldnt access as a same-sex people, however, everything is magni- also been relocated to other countries,couple. They couldnt be on my medical fied: Will they be safe from violencegiving them a unique perspective. Theirinsurance if they were not recognized in and discrimination? Will their same-sexpersonal relocation experiences help themmy home country. They couldnt access spouses be recognized? Can they livebetter serve and empathize with theirmy pension, Maestre recalls. Belgium openly as a gay person? LGBTQ+ clients, they say. is one of the first countries that legalized Given the rising tide of violence againstsame-sex marriage and allowed people the LGBTQ+ community worldwide,Maestre first worked as an immigrationin civil partnerships to adopt. Everything safety concerns are now more importantlawyer in her homeland of Spain, then inshould be there, but it's not therethan ever. To learn more about the chal- London, in the U.K. She was out of thein practice. lenges that mobile LGBTQ+ employeescloset, in a stable partnership with herEven with her years of experience as an face and gain insight into the experi- female partner, and didnt experienceimmigration lawyer, Maestre still had ences of queer relocation professionals,sexual discrimination due to the culturaltrouble fixing her partners paperwork and Perspectives spoke with immigration lawyeropenness and strong protection laws indealing with the police asking, Who is Scherezade Maestre and director of talentthose countries.this person youre living with? She joined 18PERSPECTIVES Summer 2023"