“I have the main component – being myself, and being happy and open about that”
BY DYLAN MANN-HAZELL, IMAGE BY GETTY IMAGES
myGwork sat down to talk to Aster Nox (she/they), Technical Writer at Finastra about their journey through growing up, accepting themselves, and finding critical LGBTQIA support through their work at the company.
Prior to working at Finastra, Aster Nox had dreamt of working in IT. “I’d never worked in IT. I’d been a project manager in a range of businesses, but I had always wanted to start a career in IT.” The opportunity came during the pandemic when Astor was laid off by a previous employer, and Finastra’s HR found their CV and offered her a role as a Technical Writer. It’s been a journey ever since.
Aster doesn’t disclose where they grew up but qualifies that it was a difficult period in a difficult place. “As a child, I was reserved and introverted,” they recall, “but I loved being out in nature. Although we didn’t have a car and a complex family situation left us with limited options for actually travelling.” Top of her list of interests however were cats and astronomy – and she now has a cat named Cassiopeia.
That environment however did not necessarily foster LGBTQIA inclusion. “I was raised with zero LGBTQIA representation, and so I’ve always consciously been trying to fit into heterosexual norms–- which has ended in a traumatic disaster for me every time,” Aster says. Whilst not specifying where they grew up, Aster discloses that it was dangerous to be LGBTQIA – a situation they escaped when they moved to Romania in 2023.
At the age of 33, Aster took the step to come out to friends, family, and colleagues as a lesbian. “I realised that my sexuality has been like this since early adolescence,” they tell us. “And so now I identify as a nonbinary femme lesbian, my pronouns are she/they, and I’m super comfortable with that!” It’s difficult not to see the glee Aster has with this: the journey that has gone from an underprivileged and closeted youth to this confident and successful person today. Whatever fears one has in life – relationships, work, personal struggle, Aster has one thing in mind: “I have the main component – being myself, and being happy and open about that.”
Focusing on their career, it has continued to open doors for Aster. “The standout moment in my career I think was my relocation to Romania, Bucharest in July 2023. It opened so many doors for me, not only in my career development but for my coming out and finally finding harmony with myself. And of course, not feeling endangered anymore, and finding that personal freedom.” The company prides itself on Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion, and pledges that people should be able to bring their whole selves to work without fear or risk of prejudice. Aster notes that DEI culture and the embrace of the LGBTQIA community by the business – particularly at this challenging time for LGBTQIA rights globally – has grown year after year and encourages them to get more involved to help build inclusive workplaces. It really makes the case for the importance of being in accepting and supportive spaces: the environment in which one finds oneself is so vital for personal development, acceptance, and success.
There’s still much that needs to be done however, Aster notes. When asked what remains to be done for the LGBTQIA community, their rights, and equality in the future, the answer is almost instantaneous: “I think that the main impact should be directed toward transgender, nonbinary, and genderqueer people, as well as aromantic and asexual people. They definitely need more representation, acceptance, and validation, especially in overall corporate culture.” With everything going on globally, it’s difficult to disagree. Workplaces find themselves at the forefront of promoting this culture and change and representing voices that have otherwise been underprivileged – and Finastra really is leading the way.
Finastra is a partner of myGwork, the LGBTQ+ Business Community. To find out more about what they’re up to and to check out their job opportunities, head over to their myGwork profile here.
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