We’re with you, always.
During Pride, in trying times, and always, Mercedes-Benz supports you and your communities. Karamo Brown, a proud Mercedes-Benz owner, reflects on the current moment.
#MBLGBTQ
A Proud Owner Speaks
“This Pride month is unlike any other before it. We find ourselves in the middle of a global health pandemic, while so many of us have united in fighting to address and finally put an end to systemic racism and discrimination. As a proud Black and gay man, I take this time to pause and hold space for the Black community because we are hurting and we are demanding lasting change. Mercedes-Benz has stood with the Black and LGBTQ+ communities and has vowed to continue to be with us going forward.
As unique as this time is, it does truly echo and honors the legacy of bravery of the Civil Rights Movement and the historic Stonewall protests, which were led by pioneering Black transgender activists like Marsha P. Johnson. These movements, past and present, intersect at the common point of pushing towards equality for all.
Mercedes-Benz is a part of my family. Not only am I an owner, but this past holiday season I was fortunate to be able to make my mom an owner. Giving my mom that gift was a way of saying, “Mom, I’ve made it,” which was possible because I have the freedom to show up as both Black and gay. So, I am thrilled to join Mercedes-Benz in their continuing awareness and empathy, for the ongoing struggle for Black people and the LGBTQ+ community.
Mercedes-Benz keeps its arms open to embrace the greater community and pledges to continue its support of Black and LGBTQ+ organizations in meaningful partnerships. This includes expanding its commitment to fund the fight against racism and inequality in its partnership with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Indeed, our communities deserve all of our love and support.
We are truly in this together no matter where you come from or how you identify. We are so connected by the web of humanity that whatever affects one of us, affects us all.
Now, is the time for unity. Now, is the time for all of us to step up. Now, is the time that we do what is best for us all. Happy Pride Month. May you all be safe, healthy and proud of every aspect of who you are. We’re with you, always.”
Karamo Brown
Karamo Brown is a three-time Emmy Winner from Netflix’s Queer Eye and a father of two. Karamo’s career began in 2004 on MTV’s The Real World, as the first openly gay Black man in reality television history. Karamo was the recipient of the 2018 Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award and was also invited by the Obama Administration to work with the White House to create policy and legislation supporting LGBTQ youth and their allies after school hours. Since then he has personally worked with President Barack Obama to support the Obama Foundation and the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. A graduate of Florida A&M University, Karamo worked as a social worker for over a decade before transitioning into media.
Our Mercedes-Benz Family
Meet two devoted, proud couples who have made Mercedes-Benz integral to their lives — and their growing families.
Aeen & Simon
The son of parents who emigrated from Iran to the United States and his beloved husband pass their family’s connection to Mercedes-Benz down to a new generation.
“Now that we have a family of our own, we are excited to pass down some of those same traditions.”
AEEN
Aeen and Simon and their four-year-old daughter live in Westchester, New York, with Aeen’s small collection of Mercedes-Benzes. For generations, Mercedes-Benz has been part of Aeen’s family, starting with his parents who emigrated from Iran to the United States in 1967. His mother grew up with the brand and his father had always dreamt of buying a Mercedes-Benz. During their 50 years of marriage, Aeen’s parents have owned numerous vehicles, instilling the love of Mercedes-Benz to their son, and now to his family.
Aeen and Simon met online, fell in love almost immediately, and decided to pursue parenthood after a few years together. “Aeen’s family is so close,” Simon observed, and the couple wanted to expand that closeness. A friend had recently adopted, and encouraged them to pursue adoption as well. Just a few short weeks after registering with an agency, the couple were notified they’d been chosen to parent a newborn baby girl.
Aeen and Simon drove from New York City to Cincinnati on a snowy January night four years ago to meet their just-born daughter in the hospital. To arrive to the most important event of their lives yet and to ensure a safe journey home, they decided to borrow Aeen’s father’s S550. Since they’ve adopted their daughter, Aeen says, “It’s brought my parents and me even closer.” Simon says, “All the anxiety and stress was worth it. I’ve never been loved like this before.”
Lauren & Sam
Sharing a love of fine design, vintage automobiles, and a wistful sense of adventure, a couple becomes a family.
“That moment of getting in the car, putting on our seatbelts, that’s when I am often most comfortable. That’s the beginning of almost every adventure for us.”
LAUREN
Lauren was born in the ‘80s in Austin, and by high school had become very studious and loved football —and vintage muscle cars. After Lauren began her gender identity transition a few years after college, she met Sam, a professional baker, online. They bonded over their love of design and a shared quirky sense of humor. On their first date at a coffeeshop in Austin, Sam brought homemade chocolate chip cookies, and an intoxicating smile. Lauren says of that first date, “It was electric.” Their second date, on the Fourth of July, brought fireworks, quite literally. They had each had a bumpy road to finding their authentic identity, but together, they committed to show up for each other, and live and love fully.
Lauren and Sam moved from Austin to New York City, got married in 2016, and—longing to own a car again—purchased a used 1977 D300 Mercedes-Benz. The couple bought the car from another LGBTQ+ owner, and picked it up in North Carolina. Upon spotting the car for the first time, Sam named it Maude—“She looked like a Maude!”—and the couple drove it back to New York over several days and many miles, making countless new memories. Maude lives in Brooklyn with Sam and Lauren now, and has become “a huge part” of their lives, transporting them on road trips upstate and day jaunts to the beach in the Far Rockaways. “Maude has become synonymous with us,” Lauren says. “She’s really come to life as a part of our family.” Having an older car does come with time and maintenance, the couple acknowledge, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. “Maude requires a little patience—and lot of love.”
Community Action
Mercedes-Benz keeps its arms open to embrace the greater community and support educational institutions, organizations and key partners that work to empower and elevate Black, LGBTQ+ and other historically underrepresented groups. As a long-time partner, Mercedes-Benz has supported the community through board and committee service, volunteerism, scholarships, event sponsorships and donations; and is proud to expand its commitment to fund the fight against racism and inequality with support of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Indeed, our community deserves all of our love and support.
Key Partners