Dr. Charles Chaffin’s Post

It’s time to celebrate Pride. 🌈 - It’s time to activate your allyship. > How are you intentionally showing up for your queer-identifying team members? > How are you participating in creating and sustaining an inclusive workplace for all? > Are you truly present for and with the queer community within your organization? • Are you sure? • How do you know? > How are you helping to create safe spaces for queer people? - Now is the time. > Start now. > And continue after June 30. It’s time to celebrate Pride. 🌈 Happy Pride! One 💚

Since June is #PrideMonth, I wanted to use this as an opportunity to discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and dive into some steps allies can take to normalize practices to foster supportive environments through the Young Minds Initiative. LGBTQ+ individuals — especially transgender and non-binary people — experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than non-LGBTQ+ individuals.                           There are many different facets that contribute to mental health — from the common factors that affect all people, like school, work, news, socioeconomics, background, family, etc. to more specific elements, such as increased anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, not respecting a person’s pronouns, experiencing targeted bullying from peers at school, not having access to gender-affirming healthcare, and much more. All people are deserving of a safe space where they can be their authentic selves and talk about their #mentalhealth. I invite you to read my most recent blog post, “Celebrating Pride: Fostering Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Folx” below! https://lnkd.in/gYnPhG-5

Our editor-in-chief Roxy Bourdillon spoke to the Financial Times for #LVW24 about her personal journey, discussing pressing issues within the community, and providing insights into her experiences as a leading voice in LGBTQIA media. Here are some of the key takeaways: How do you navigate your sexuality in the workplace? Roxy talks about her journey from being a closeted DIVA reader to the magazine’s out and proud editor-in-chief. She opens up about the power of embracing the very thing she felt so ashamed about and discovering that this actually accelerated her career, providing exciting new opportunities for creativity. She also offers heartfelt advice for people who want to come out at work for the first time. In what ways can mainstream media uplift queer stories? With a mix of insights and practical advice, Roxy highlights the importance of talking to the community you want to represent, having a nuanced approach, being intentionally trans-inclusive, and explains why it’s essential to not only cover the challenges but also the joys and triumphs of queer culture. We’ve seen a boom in LGBTQIA representation, but does that mean our struggle is over? Roxy and Tamara discuss everything from the surge in sapphic stories to the new wave of queer nightlife. But they also explore how more visibility can be linked to increasing vulnerability and look at the pressing challenges still facing the LGBTQIA community today. You can watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/gbXUv3qF

Let's Do healing! We begin the next phase of the #HealingSoulidarity series with this answer by Dr. Ifunanya Dimaku M.D, Msc — Global Health System Expert, Poet, LGBTQ+ Activist and Medical Doctor — to the question, "what do you do for your healing?"

Our Mission - Kyra Gleeson We want to make an impactful lasting and positive change within the workplace and in society. Together we need to break down those barriers which are currently there creating the divide. We want everyone to be equal without fear. To redefine and create the new ‘NORMAL’. We want everyone to have the freedom and comfort in researching, learning and better educating themselves on the LGBTQ+ community. To have the confidence to ask questions and being more open minded to learn and understand rather than being scared of saying the wrong thing. Only by asking questions can we learn and grow. Let’s all create a safe space for everyone to flourish and be their authentic self. We have 3 key messages to remember which will help make this dream become a reality: Love is Love Unified we Succeed Only by speaking out can we create a lasting change #PrideMonth #ConnectWithPride #LoveIsLove

We believe in a world where financial planning reflects all the beautiful variations of what family can look like. Embracing and celebrating diversity in family is at the heart of what we do at Citrine & Gold. 🧡💛 As an LGBTQ+ owned firm, we deeply understand that every family is unique, with its own dreams, challenges, and goals...So we tailor our financial plans to fit each unique family. #inclusivefinancialplanning #lgbtqfinancialfirm #lgbtqfinancialservices

Let's Walk healing! We begin the final phase of the #HealingSoulidarity series with Dr. Ifunanya Dimaku M.D, Msc — Global Health System Expert, Poet, LGBTQ+ Activist and Medical Doctor — answering the question, "how do you walk with others in Healing Soulidarity?" Join the conversation! Make a 10-second video answering the question, using the hashtag.

I presented a virtual DEI training today on bias and exclusionary behaviors. People in minority groups (e.g. people of color, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people who have disabilities, and more) regularly experience these comments or actions which make them feel unwelcome, devalued, unsupported, marginalized or tokenized, and singled out. So, I'd love to get some reactions...if/when you experience bias, how do you typically react: 1️⃣ Don't respond. 2️⃣ Respond immediately. 3️⃣ Respond later. Drop me a # and why do you respond this way?? Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism #diversityequityinclusion #biases

This time of year can be magical for many, but not so merry and bright for others. Mindfully navigating the holiday season can often make all the difference for both you and those you spend your time with, whether at work or home. Here are five ways Brian McComak, MSM, LGBTQ helps keep himself grounded this time of year: 1. Set intentions, not expectations. 2. Practice mindful listening. 3. Take a deep breath when you need one. Practice gratitude. Remember it's only one day. Listen to the full episode! Link in comments. #MentalHealth #DiversityEquityInclusion

57%—that’s the percent of people across 26 U.S. metropolitan areas who reported having experienced housing discrimination of some kind, per a spring 2024 study conducted by Zillow. The highest rates were reported among LGBTQ+ people, people of color, renters, and young adults. Read more: https://zurl.co/AL82 Fair housing laws—on the books for nearly 60 years—can’t help prevent housing discrimination if they’re gathering dust! Ongoing education and outreach about federal and state fair housing laws are key. Shout out to the City of Chicopee for recently sponsoring a free three-part workshop on fair housing—held by Way Finders’ Fair Housing Manager John Fisher—to train landlords on their rights and responsibilities as owners of rental properties. Interested in requesting a workshop or training on fair housing for your group or organization? Please contact John Fisher at jfisher@wayfinders.org.