The market research industry has always held a special place in my heart – not just because of the work we do, but because it’s the industry that I belong to since the beginning of my career.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’ve always felt incredibly fortunate to be part of an industry that doesn’t just talk about inclusion but strives to live it. From the very beginning of my career, I’ve seen how committed we are to representing society in all its complexity – giving voice to communities that are too often overlooked, and creating space for people of all races, backgrounds, faiths, sexuality and gender identities to belong.

Still, for all our progress, one thing has been missing: our presence at Pride in London. For years, I dreamed of seeing our industry marching proudly down the streets, standing tall for everything we believe in. It felt like a natural extension of who we are. But it wasn’t until three years ago, in a conversation with fellow members of MRS Pride, that I realised I wasn’t alone. Many of us shared the same hope – to see MRS take part in Pride, and to bring our vibrant, diverse community into the march.

We tried for two years. We applied, we planned, we hoped. Each time, we were turned away – not because our message wasn’t important, but because the space was limited and the demand overwhelming. Still, we didn’t give up. And this year, finally, it happened.

For the first time ever, the Market Research Society marched in Pride London. I can’t quite describe what that means to me – not just professionally, but personally. It’s hard to explain the mix of pride, emotion, and deep gratitude I feel knowing that the industry I love has stepped forward in such a visible, meaningful way.

This moment was historic. No other market research organisation has ever done this before – not in the UK, not anywhere. And while we may be the first, I’m certain we won’t be the last. I hope our presence this year will inspire others – the Insights Association in the US, Aedemo in Spain, Assirm in Italy, DGOF in Germany, Syntec Conseil in France, AMAI in Mexico, and especially, global organisations like Esomar – to follow. Because our industry is unique. It’s smart, inclusive, and deeply human. It’s time the world sees that, too.

Of course, this is more than just a celebration. It’s also a statement. We showed up for the people who couldn’t. We marched for those in our community who live in countries where being LGBTQ+ is still criminalised, or where coming out could mean losing their job – or worse. We marched to say: we see you, we support you and you are not alone.

Finally, we also marched to pay respect to the brave people who marched before us – at a time in history when our community was hidden, stigmatised, and largely discriminated against. Those who stood up and demanded the rights, freedoms and respect which our community enjoys today. Without their courage, we would not be where we are now.

Pride is many things. It’s joy. It’s resistance. It’s remembrance. But most of all, it’s love. And this year, as we took to the streets for the very first time as an industry, I felt that love more than ever. I felt it in the colleagues who stood by my side from the beginning. I also feel it in the allies who helped make this happen. And I feel it in the knowledge that, finally, we took our place – proudly and publicly – exactly where we belong.

This was a first. But it won’t be the last.

Daniel Cunill is head of market research, UK and US, at Bilendi

• You can find more information about MRS Pride here.