Meet Nathalie Rangel Iovino! Nathalie is a Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator at Perkins Coie LLP and a member of the LMA Chicago Local Group. On the heels of Pride Month, Nathalie shares their favorite Pride celebration memories, some book recommendations for LGBTQ+ love stories, and her best advice for new LMA members.
Tell us your story – where do you work and what do you do?
I work at Perkins Coie LLP as a Diversity and Inclusion coordinator. I have been at Perkins Coie for over four years – I started in their marketing technology department and transitioned to the D&I team in 2022. I also co-chair the Firm’s LGBTQ+ Business Professionals Resource Group for the past three years.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
I was born and raised in Brazil and have identified as bisexual since I was 15. Because of this, I experienced many forms of prejudice and hardship in my youth. So many of my LGBTQ+ friends (Brazilian, American, and otherwise) have similar traumatizing stories of verbal and physical abuse, death and rape threats, family isolation, being kicked out of establishments and events, or being asked to change the way they “carry themselves” to guarantee employment. Having experienced and witnessed homophobia first-hand, it’s life-affirming to now feel like I have a voice, that I am included—not only accepted but celebrated! To have pride in who you are (instead of fear or shame) is an incomparable feeling.
What is one of your favorite Pride celebration memories?
Being able to observe Pride in my professional life has been so rewarding. In the first week of June, our team hosted a firmwide Pride Speaker Series event. We invited Jean-Marie Navetta, Director of Learning and Inclusion at PFLAG, to provide an update on anti-LGBTQ+ legislation around the country. It was not an easy conversation but an important one. Later in the month our Resource Group hosted a virtual Pride Bingo event, where we had three drag performers based in Boise, ID lead a conversation on LGBTQ+ facts and history. They also shared their experience navigating Idaho’s anti-drag bills that were introduced earlier this year.
What book are you currently reading?
As a mother of two young children, it is so heart-warming to share with them books that don’t treat LGBTQ+ stories as the odd one out or a hardship to overcome. If my daughters are ready for the concept of “happily ever after” romantic love, they are ready to see that in all ways it exists! I love Daniel Haack’s books for normalizing LGBTQ+ love stories.
Who was your top artist on Spotify Wrapped last year?
Pabllo Vittar! The Brazilian drag queen and singer that has absolutely dominated my Spotify Wrapped.
Which marketing leader do you most admire?
Roy Sexton! I couldn’t attend LMA’s 2023 Convention in Florida – I was still so filled with emotion when I heard that Roy had kicked off the convention opening session by singing “Born This Way” in a sequined jacket! I was so inspired by the association’s actions to invite local drag queen Athena Dion for a conversation, and to make a financial contribution to The Pride Center.
If you had one piece of advice for newer LMA members, what would it be?
Join one of our LMA Member Resource Groups – they are a great way to foster community and share resources in the Legal Marketing field!