Jeremy Wilson-Herrmann, MBA, CISSP, ITIL’s Post

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VP of IT & Security at The Trevor Project

I don't often speak about my personal life on LinkedIn as I generally like to keep a distinct line drawn between work and home life, but as I reflect on the current state of affairs for LGBTQ+ folks in the US on this 8th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting, I think it is important to recognize the intersectionalities of our identities. We are all whole people and we can't always check all of the weight we carry with us at the door.... and that is okay. I spent much of my younger years in Melbourne, Florida, just 45 minutes or so from Orlando. Pulse wasn't around back then, but I did frequently spend time at Parliament House watching Darcel Stevens entertain in the Footlight Theatre and Southern Nights where I saw Carmella Marcella Garcia perform the 'Drunken 12 Days of Christmas'. I considered myself part of the Orlando LGBTQ+ community. When I went back to visit in 2010, my friends and I spent a lot of time at Pulse and had a great time there. Whether it is a bar or club, or some other social venue, the goal is to relax and have a good time with your friends and your community in safety, away from the pressures and stress of everyday life. Too often however, this is not the case for the LGBTQ+ community. The Pulse mass shooting is just one example of queer spaces being invaded by hate with horrific consequences. While overall violent crime in the US is dropping at amazing rates, the incidence of violent crime against LGBTQ+ folks continues to rise, increasing more than 19% between 2021 and 2022. Safe spaces for queer folks do not feel safe anymore. So why do I feel compelled to share this on LinkedIn today? I think it is important that we all recognize the weight that many of our colleagues are carrying with them everyday, and especially on days like today. The folks that we work with are whole people with lived experiences outside of the office, and we should not discount that reality. #PulseRememberanceDay always hits close to home for me, and it does for a lot of other folks as well. So lets lead with compassion, understanding, and grace. Not just today, but everyday. #PulseNightclub #OnePulse #HonorThemWithAction #LGBTQ

Dmitri Plotnikov

Streamlining SME processes with Microsoft 365 & PowerPlatform | CEO at PasynSoft | Sophisticated IT system integrations in MS Cloud

2mo

Thank you for sharing your heartfelt reflections. It’s so important to acknowledge and support each other, especially on days like this. Sending love and solidarity

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