myGwork speaks to Marcella Vasconcelos about creating safe spaces for the queer community at Wise
BY DYLAN MANN-HAZELL
Marcella Vasconcelos, Training Specialist at Wise, spoke to myGwork about her experience navigating bisexuality in the 00s, and the role of education in progressing LGBTQIA rights.
Could you tell us a bit about your background and career journey leading up to your current position at Wise?
I have a Bachelor’s in Psychology, specializing in child development. I focused on pop culture and gender politics – my thesis explored Disney Princesses and the importance of non-conformative gender representation for young girls. I’ve also worked as an English teacher. Seeking better opportunities abroad, I applied to Wise and moved to Tallinn, Estonia. I started in our Customer Support Team and after a year in this role, I transitioned to become a Training Specialist.
Can you tell me a bit about your childhood – where did you grow up; did you have any hobbies?
I was born and raised in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. From childhood, my mom would call me “protector of the weak and oppressed”, because I’d embrace those rejected by most and felt strongly towards injustice. I was very into creative writing, movies and cartoons – the start of my close relationship with pop culture and finding representation in it. I struggled with family issues and my mental health – undiagnosed ADHD and depression symptoms. I’d find comfort in identifying with fictional characters that were flawed but admirable, who went through somewhat similar struggles.
Can you share your personal journey with the LGBTQIA community?
It was very confusing as a kid, because I was not aware of bisexuality. I knew I liked boys, so I didn’t consider that I might be into girls. That was helped by the fact that I didn’t get along well with girls during childhood. I was tomboyish and didn’t share the same interests which was deemed weird. In the 90s, in a small Brazilian city, feminism was a few years away from becoming mainstream. My environment would compare me with other girls, and I’d get caught up in classic, normalized female rivalries. That created an emotional block. When I’d really like a girl, I’d think that I wanted to be them instead of being attracted to them. As a pre-teen, with internet access, I was not limited to what was available on TV or the local bookstore. With much more to explore, I started consuming queer content and deconstructing ideas I had about same-sex relationships. I also connected with queer and queer-knowledgeable people.
At 15, I admitted I’m bisexual and allowed myself to explore that. It was very messy, as admitting it didn’t neutralize my problematic feelings. I’d still compare myself to other women, I’d still antagonize them to fight my own insecurities. I still couldn’t get emotionally involved with them. I was questioned by family and friends, suggesting it was just a phase and I was trying to be different, when I was just being my authentic self. Most men would fetishize me, most women wouldn’t take me seriously. I became terrified of being in a relationship with a woman, closing myself off anytime I’d be pursued as a romantic interest. I had no idea how to be with them. In turn, I started to question myself: was I really bisexual? I’m currently in my first serious relationship with a woman, which started when I was 28! We’ve been together for almost two years. I jokingly compliment her persistence, because she had to break many of my emotional walls for us to be together. All jokes aside, I am very thankful for it. Otherwise, I would have missed the opportunity of being with the amazing, loving, funny, beautiful person that she is.
What has been a standout moment in your career so far?
The Trans And Nonbinary Inclusion Project is a cross-team initiative at Wise, focused on raising awareness and fostering inclusion for trans and non-binary individuals, both within the company and among our customers. We educate on common terms, gender identifies, pronoun usage, inclusive communication, and internal guidelines for customer interactions. I am very passionate about this project and continually seek ways to enhance and expand its impact.
How does Wise strive for inclusivity and provide an open space for LGBTQIA employees?
We have a global QueerWise community, a safe space for our LGBTQIA community. We discuss everything from important worldwide events to local events for the QueerWise community. Wise’s DEI team focuses on inclusion initiatives to educate employees, such as Cultivating LGBTQIA Allyship training for all. They also support celebratory events. Twice a year, there’s a global QueerWise event, where QueerWisers can meet up and share a good time. I’ve helped organize two of these alongside queer colleagues. In 2023, Wise sponsored Baltic Pride and we attended as a group, proudly wearing our Love Without Borders t-shirts.
Throughout your career, have you noticed any developments in attitudes towards the importance of diversity and inclusion?
More companies are adopting inclusion policies, which is welcomed and appreciated. I give credit to the multiple communities for speaking up about their rights. They’ve voiced the need to be acknowledged and respected, and having the prejudices and struggles they face in the job taken into consideration.
What immediate improvements would you like to see being made for LGBTQIA equality in the future – both in the workplace, and wider society?
I believe in educating those who consider themselves “neutral”. While they’re not actively opposed to the LGBTQIA community, they may have misconceptions about it. Remaining neutral in the face of inequality can contribute to maintaining the status quo, so I see great potential in engaging and turning these individuals into conscious allies. By offering education and fostering understanding, we can encourage them to actively support equality, creating a more inclusive workplace and society.
Is there anything we haven’t discussed already that you would like to include?
I’m grateful to work at a company that champions inclusion and empowers Queer voices to live in a world where being queer is not that strange anymore. It’s easier to explore your identity, find your community, be who you are. While things aren’t perfect, I’m comfortable with who I am, and that’s incredibly powerful.
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