Diversity isn’t just a buzzword at Duolingo—it’s a core value. We celebrate all gender identities, sexual orientations, and backgrounds, and strive to create an environment where people can feel valued, respected, and supported. This commitment both enriches our workplace and fuels our mission: making high quality education universally available means we work towards a world that values access and inclusivity. And since it’s Pride Month, we thought we’d highlight the voices and stories of our LGBTQ+ community at Duolingo!
Meet the Duos
Brandon, Senior Learning Designer
Pronouns: he/him
Tenure at Duolingo: 3 years
Location: Pittsburgh
What makes you feel comfortable to be out at work?
My fellow Duos make an effort to be genuinely welcoming and inclusive. I’m also involved with Duolingo’s LGBTQIA+ employee resource group. It means a lot to me to have that group as a support system, and that the company regularly asks for our input. I also love seeing the way Duolingo very intentionally incorporates characters of diverse backgrounds (including LGBTQIA+) into our learning content on the app.
Duo, Content Program Manager
Pronouns: they/them
Tenure at Duolingo: 2 years
Location: Pittsburgh
How has your life changed since coming out?
I first came out at my previous job at another EdTech company. It was fairly unceremonious—I changed my pronouns on Slack one day and that was that—but I think that’s the way I prefer it. For me, it’s more about getting to know myself better rather than being in the closet for any length of time. My queerness is definitely a part of my identity, but it is not one that rises above all others. Living a queer life feels like the most normal thing.
Cara, Senior Executive Assistant and Executive Support Manager
Pronouns: she/her
Tenure at Duolingo: 9 months
Location: New York
What’s been an influential moment for you?
A former colleague at another company influenced me to come out in the workplace. I had never worked with anybody who was out and open before them. Seeing that representation and having that visibility was really pivotal for me. If I would’ve never seen somebody being their authentic selves at work, I don’t know if I would’ve built up the confidence to do the same. Coming out prompted me to be more authentic in every area of my life & taught me the true importance of showing up authentically.
Adele, Learning Designer
Pronouns: she/her, they/them
Tenure at Duolingo: 2 years
Location: Pittsburgh
How have things changed for queer people since you've been in the workforce?
The workforce has become more accepting. Duolingo, specifically, skews progressive, and we’re very mindful of each other, or at least we all try to be. When you mention your name, pronouns, and partner, no one makes a big deal about it. In our office, I almost take it for granted that we can be so open. A lot of people I work very closely with are either queer themselves or very hard allies. Duolingo is the first place I’ve ever super openly used both sets of pronouns.
Mykhaylo, Learning Designer
Pronouns: he/him
Tenure at Duolingo: 3 years
Location: Pittsburgh
What signals can someone look for if they want to ensure that a workplace is inclusive?
Do you feel welcome and appreciated? Do the things that others may consider quirky, make your coworkers laugh and spend more time with you? Do they celebrate you for who you are without you doing anything special? If the answers to the questions are yes, then you are in a great spot.
Adam, Software Engineer II
Pronouns: they/them
Tenure at Duolingo: 3 years
Location: Pittsburgh
What is it like to enter the workforce as an out, queer person?
Duolingo is my first job out of college. As a university student, I had the advantage of being able to compare company cultures at many different places to find what would be the best fit for me. I had a previous professional experience during school that was not so great, and it definitely factored into my employment search. I was searching for a place that I knew would be welcoming and accepting and where I could bring my full self to work. My identity is a part of who I am and it’s part of how I connect with people. Duolingo is a good place for that.
