Celebrating Pride with Zach McCall

Change has been a constant for Zach McCall and his 18-year career at Legacy and that’s a good thing for the director of ambulatory pharmacy services.

“I get bored easily,” he said.

Zach’s witnessed the expansion of pharmacy services throughout Legacy and enjoyed the collaboration that goes with that work. He’s witnessed a similar growth within the Pride Employee Resource Group.

As Legacy celebrates Pride, Zach took time to reflect on the organization’s embrace of diversity and the discomfort that comes with that evolution as well as how he is navigating life in today’s social and political climate.

How do you feel about being LGBTQ at Legacy?

I do feel like Legacy is supportive of LGBTQ employees, certainly today. There was a time before the employee resource groups when no one from Legacy was in the Pride Parade when other healthcare organizations were participating. I sent out an email to the entire company asking if anybody wanted to join me. In addition to responses excited to see Legacy’s engagement in this event, I also got responses that made it clear this request wasn’t welcomed by some individuals. Even though the people I worked with directly were accepting, it was clear we had work to do as an organization to truly live our values of diversity and inclusion. Since that time, we’ve developed the ERGs, we’ve had staff training and education, and have, as an organization, more fully accepted diversity. It’s really great to see how Legacy has grown and developed.

Do you feel you can be your "true self" right now?

I feel like I am lucky to be living in Portland as an LGBTQ person. Portland is generally a bubble, and we’re shielded from what others have to live with in less accepting areas. I know not everyone has the ability to be in a place that is accepting, and I want to be sensitive to that. Yes, I feel like I can be my true self but, I do worry about what the future holds.

This is the oldest ERG at Legacy. What direction would you like to see the ERG take in the future?

I led the Pride ERG for the first few years. It is really a struggle as we look at how people engage in society in general today and what the role of these groups is moving forward. It’s necessary to continue to explore what this looks like from a social media connection perspective.

What does your Pride ERG membership represent/mean to you?

It’s a way to connect with people I have something in common with and might not otherwise meet. I think it helps bring the Legacy community together. It helps make it seem like a smaller world and reinforces what I’ve always viewed as a family feel to be a Legacy employee.

Legacy’s theme for Pride is “Pride is Now and Forever.” What does that mean to you?

For me, it’s about being visible and not shrinking back or hiding from what’s going on in our world. It’s laying the groundwork to ensure future generations will still have a community and embrace the diversity that this ERG and others bring.

What can your Legacy colleagues do to show their support for Pride?

Walk in the parade, have fun with it, it’s a good time! Post a rainbow flag someplace. Consider or think about what your visible support might mean to people struggling with acceptance. Something as simple as putting your pronouns on your email signature and normalizing that helps create safety for others.

Where do you go in your community to draw strength or solace?

I’ve got a great partner of 25 years. I turn to him. I’ve also got a great circle of friends. It’s not just gay friends, but allies. I think that’s who I turn to.