Out & Equal

Happy International Pronouns Day! Using someone’s correct pronouns is a simple and important way to show respect, affirm and validate someone's identity. Here are 5 useful tips to get you started: 👉Respect People's Pronouns: Always use the pronouns that someone prefers. If they tell you their pronouns, use them without hesitation or questioning. It's a fundamental way to show respect for their identity. 👉Ask if You're Unsure: If you're unsure about someone's pronouns, it's perfectly okay to ask. Politely say, "What are your preferred pronouns?" It's better to ask than assume. 👉Normalize Sharing Pronouns: When introducing yourself, share your own pronouns. This helps create an inclusive environment and encourages others to do the same. 👉Mistakes Happen: If you make a mistake, don't be overly apologetic. Correct yourself and move on. An earnest apology is fine, but excessive apologizing can make the situation awkward. 👉Stand Up for Others: If you witness someone being disrespectful or misgendering someone else, be an ally and politely correct them and/or offer support to the person who was misgendered. 🧐For more information and tips on pronoun inclusion in the workplace, check out our full resource located here: https://lnkd.in/dGrQxbZ #PronounsDay

Whether you are out and proud or your journey is just beginning, know that you are loved, seen, and valid. At Out & Equal we understand the importance of bringing your true and authentic self to all aspects of your life. It's why we are and always will be committed to creating inclusive environments where ALL individuals can thrive. It is why we are and will always advance LGBTQ+ representation, inclusion, and equity in the workplace, and beyond. To those who are navigating their journey and determining how to share their stories at work, we encourage you to read our resource, Your Story. Your Truth. Your Power. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eXTj4MAB Always embrace and celebrate who you are. And remember, you are never alone on this journey. 🌈❤️ #NationalComingOutDay

A mesaage from the Out & Equal team. ❤️

A message regarding our 2024 Workplace Summit from Out & Equal CEO Erin Uritus and Board Chair Allyn L. Shaw.

The health and safety of our attendees is our top priority. Working closely with our partners at Disney, we have been tracking the latest weather developments within the Gulf.  At this current moment, Tropical Storm Milton is projected to develop into a Category 3 hurricane, which is a powerful and dangerous storm. After careful consideration, and out of an abundance of caution, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person component of this year’s Workplace Summit. Many of you are about to begin your travel to Orlando but given these developments, please stay home. We know that this news is extremely disappointing but again, your safety is our top priority.  As we did during COVID, we will leverage the great content we have developed—spanning from our main stage and premier sessions—and will distribute it in the next few weeks via the Out & Equal event app. We are also committed to convening our Community Engagement Groups (CEGs) in the coming weeks via Zoom.  Our Partner Success team will be in touch soon with more information.   We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your continued support.

The history of the LGBTQ+ community is rich with joy and grief. Through the ups and downs, the history-making victories and the challenges that tested our resolve, our collective community has become stronger, showing that we are an unstoppable force. This month, we honor the trailblazers, activists, leaders, and everyday heroes who have paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Individually and as a collective community, we can break down barriers, bring everyone along, and illuminate the way forward where workplaces—and the world—are rich in inclusion and belonging, and innovation and opportunity are unlocked, for LGBTQ+ people and for all. #LGBTQHistoryMonth

Our CEO Erin Uritus sat down with the Forged In Fire - LGBTQ+ Leadership team to discuss her personal journey, its impact on her leadership style, and how we can foster workplace cultures centered on belonging. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eCW9ka6F #BusinessofBelonging

Out & Equal is proud to celebrate Bisexual Visibility Day! Despite being the largest single-identity group within the LGBTQ+ community in the US, bisexual individuals often face significant challenges. Referred to as the "double closet," bisexual people may experience the same discrimination as lesbian and gay folks, from outright harassment at work to exclusion from workplace benefits. But they may also fear rejection within the Queer community. We can and must do more. Let's do more to understand the challenges and experiences of bi+ people. Let's elevate their stories. Let's create spaces and workplace cultures rich in inclusion and belonging where individuals feel and know that they can show up authentically. #BisexualVisibilityDay #BusinessOfBelonging

As we celebrate and recognize #BisexualAwarenessWeek we are proud to share this piece from The Advocate penned by our very own CEO Erin Uritus on the value of advancing bi+ inclusion in your organization. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eURmDjxk #BusinessOfBelonging

Through nearly every milestone in LGBTQ+ history, the Latine community has played a vital role in advancing equality and justice for us all. As we mark the start of Latine Heritage Month, we are reminded of the diverse cultures, languages, and places of origin that make up the intricately beautiful tapestry of this community. In this context, Latine incapsulates the Latine-identified lives of Spanish speaking individuals as well as indigenous, Brazilian, and other non-Spanish speaking people. This month, we will highlight some of the many contributions that this community has made to LGBTQ+ history and beyond. We are honored to bring these lives and stories to our page because when we celebrate and value our differences, we remember our collective power. #LatineHeritageMonth