HarbourVest Partners’ Post

New Publisher Alert We are dedicated to ensuring that the LGBTQ community receives the representation it rightfully deserves in the comic book industry. Our artists meticulously craft high-quality pages that center around LGBTQ experiences. We've created a universe around six LGBTQ heroes, whose hands hold the fate of humanity. However, after facing generations of oppression, they begin to question: Is humanity worth saving? Currently, you can read the original 10 episodes of Class6. However, this summer, they will be replaced with a new graphic novel featuring a new name for the group of heroes, a new logo, and new uniforms. The new version has rewritten 90% of the previously published 10 books, making the original version of Class6 a collector's item that won't be reprinted again. This is your last chance to experience the original version. Additionally, we have two episodes of "Loas of Kraven," which is set within the same universe as Class6. We've also had the honor of publishing work from other talented queer artists, including a queer children's picture book titled "Welcome" and a nonbinary anthology called "Nightshades." Both are available online and in print on our website at www.kraven.us. https://lnkd.in/gzrsKqHW

Geek Intervention: Queer Representation in Cartoons: Engage clients in analyzing and discussing the impact of queer representation in geek media, such as Steven Universe or She-Ra. Encourage exploration of positive LGBTQ+ role models, relationships, and storylines. Facilitate conversations on the importance of representation for self-identity, community connection, and fostering a sense of belonging. Empower clients to celebrate and find inspiration in these diverse narratives.

Geek Intervention: Queer Representation in Cartoons: Engage clients in analyzing and discussing the impact of queer representation in geek media, such as Steven Universe or She-Ra. Encourage exploration of positive LGBTQ+ role models, relationships, and storylines. Facilitate conversations on the importance of representation for self-identity, community connection, and fostering a sense of belonging. Empower clients to celebrate and find inspiration in these diverse narratives.

Join PEN Piedmont at at Scuppernong Books to celebrate BIPOC and LGBTQ+ books! In collaboration with Gamma Xi Phi - ΓΞΦ a predominately African-American fraternity of men and women in the arts, this discussion will focus on the campaign to ban books by and about BIPOC and LGBTQ+ writers, while also providing strategies to push back against these censorious threats. Books featuring these themes have been deliberately targeted by governments and school systems nationwide. In PEN’s report “Banned in the USA: The Mounting Pressure to Censor,” during the 2022–23 school year, PEN America recorded 3,362 instances of books banned, an increase of 33 percent from the 2021–22 school year, with 30 percent of those books including characters of color or discussing race and racism, and 30 percent contain LGBTQ+ characters or theme. To register and learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/ep4ur7Cw

Tea Uglow is a writer, LGBTQ activist, a founder member of Google's Creative Lab, and a speaker on innovation, inclusion, and digital futures. In a detailed conversation with Readymag, Tea Uglow 🏳️⚧️ told us about her work at the intersection of technology and art, the evolution of the IT environment over the last 20 years, and how her experiences as a transgender, queer, and neurodiverse professional have shaped her career and personal life. Read the full interview on blog: https://lnkd.in/dfyJyjw5

On #Juneteenth (June 19), a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, we are reminded that the work of equality, justice, freedom, inclusion, and belonging never stop. Black Queer people, who for too long have been historically overlooked and marginalized, have always played an integral role in fighting for and shaping the LGBTQ+ community. And they have done it in the face of adversities that other people have not, do not, and will not face. To this day, they continue to face unique challenges in and out of the workplace because of their intersecting identities. We must always remember that the LGBTQ+ community is not a monolith. The success of our larger movement requires gaining a better understanding of, and investing in solutions that mitigate or eradicate, these unique challenges. It requires that we raise up the voices who have done so much in the fight for equality. It requires we lead with inclusion and belonging. At Out & Equal, we’re committed to advancing the community and achieving our mission by understanding the experiences of all of the communities that make up our movement.  To learn more on what you can do, please revisit Out & Equal’s February 2024 Newsletter, which includes important resources and discusses both the power of intersectionality and how we can support Black Queer voices. Read the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eQyErAt5

Representation does matter.

Geek Intervention: Queer Representation in Cartoons: Engage clients in analyzing and discussing the impact of queer representation in geek media, such as Steven Universe or She-Ra. Encourage exploration of positive LGBTQ+ role models, relationships, and storylines. Facilitate conversations on the importance of representation for self-identity, community connection, and fostering a sense of belonging. Empower clients to celebrate and find inspiration in these diverse narratives.

Pride Month starts today, and I have some thoughts to share. It’s very easy to think that we’ve made significant progress, that equality has been achieved, with pride month a time for rainbows, glitter and ABBA. Unfortunately, it took only a few scrolls of a local shopping park’s pride month post to make it abundantly clear that there is still so much to fight for. Three years ago I participated in a Pride video for Network Rail titled “Do I Offend You” and three years later unfortunately I think my existence along with my other LGBTQ+ family still offends others. We are still told not to shove it down throats, that we should keep our queerness “to ourselves” or “at home”, or asked with sly smiles when straight pride month is. As a queer person during pride month I ask my allies to of course enjoy and support a pride parade. However please don’t just participate in the fun consumerist parts of pride. Please reflect on your allyship in a time where our rights are being constantly threatened. The UK has dropped to its lowest ever rating on the ILGA-Europe map over the last theee years, due to the limitations on gender affirming care and failures to deliver on the banning of conversion practices. All too often the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the Trans community, are used as political cannon fodder, despite making up 5% and 0.5% of the population respectively. This has resulted in hate crimes increasing by over 100% to the LGBTQ+ community over the last five years. And lastly, we are not free until we are all free. Intersectionality is fundamental and critical to achieving true equality, equity, diversity and inclusion. Sometimes that requires decentering ourselves from the conversation which can be challenging however is necessary to be better and make real change. Think on how you can make space for marginalised voices in your workplaces and communities. And I’ll leave it at that along with a link to Stonewall who continue to do great work and have some must have reading for Pride Month. Remember, Equality is not a pie, there is plenty to go around. Happy Pride 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 https://lnkd.in/eAhDMm-w

Embracing LGBTQ+ History in Britain: A Journey of Pride and Progress 🏳️🌈 Diversity and inclusion are the heartbeats of progress. Today, let's take a moment to delve into the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ history in Britain. 🇬🇧 Read more on our recent blog >>> https://lnkd.in/e3GJD5x3