Lisa Demmi’s Post

With Pride Month just around the corner, I'm gearing up for the usual wave of hate against the LGBTQ+ community. It's sad that during a time meant to celebrate love and acceptance, we still see so much negativity. So, let’s clear up some common questions that pop up every year: Q: "Where is my straight month?" A: When you're attacked, not allowed to marry the person you love, or scared to travel because you might be killed for being straight, then you can have a straight pride month. Until then, enjoy your everyday acceptance. Q: "Why is it shoved in my face?" A: It’s not. No one is forcing you to join in. You’re just noticing something that isn’t about you for once, and it makes you uncomfortable. Grow up. Q: "No one cares that you're gay, why do you need to go on about it?" A: Actually, people do care—in a bad way. LGBTQ+ folks are still attacked and killed for who they are. That’s why we celebrate and are proud. Get used to it. Q: "LGBTQ+ is against my religion." A: People interpret religion in many ways, and that’s okay! You can still be friendly to people even if you don’t agree with everything about them. No one is forcing you to turn gay. I'll be sure to add to this at the end of Pride, showcasing some of the comments made by some people. Until then, let's have a great month and remember—you don't need to be LGBTQ+ to take part. Come and be an ally and show your support! #Pride #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #LGBT #EqualRights #June

As Pride Month begins, I want to highlight how businesses are stepping up for LGBTQ rights. Jessica Shortall's 2019 article, "Why Many Businesses Are Becoming More Vocal In Support of LGBTQ Rights," really resonates with me, even today. For years, businesses have worked on creating welcoming environments for LGBTQ employees and customers. Recently, they've started speaking out more publicly, advocating for policies that protect our rights, even in challenging environments. This shift is largely driven by Millennials and Generation Z, who prioritize inclusivity. These generations are now the largest part of the workforce and influence recruitment, branding, and consumer choices. They understand that LGBTQ inclusion is not only the right thing to do but also good for business. Places that support LGBTQ rights attract more businesses, talent, and events, boosting their economies. Coalitions like Indiana Competes and Texas Competes show the power of businesses working together. These groups provide resources, expertise, and a unified voice, making a strong case for nondiscrimination and reducing political risks. However, despite these efforts, recent setbacks remind us that the fight is far from over. In several states, we've seen new legislation aimed at restricting LGBTQ rights, particularly targeting transgender individuals. These regressive policies threaten the progress we've made and underscore the need for continued advocacy and support from the business community. As a lesbian, it's important for me to show up authentically within my ecosystem. As we celebrate Pride, let's acknowledge the crucial role businesses play in pushing for equality. Together, we can keep working towards a future where everyone feels welcome and valued. #PrideMonth #LGBTQRights #BusinessForEquality https://lnkd.in/gf-be4Qm

June is a month of vibrancy, love and solidarity as we continue to celebrate Gay Pride Month. It is not just a celebration, it’s a statement of resilience and a demand for equality and a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility and representation. It’s a month dedicated to honouring the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting on the progress made towards equality, to raise awareness about the issues faced and unfortunately still acknowledging the work that’s still needs to be done. Here’s some ways to show your support: Learn the History: Educate yourself and others to promote understanding and acceptance Be an Ally: Show your support in everyday by using inclusive language, standing up against discrimination and be a safe person for LGBTQ+ individuals to talk to. Attend Pride Events: Participate in local Pride parades, festivals, and events. These celebrations often include marches, performances and speeches Display Symbols of Pride: Wear or display symbols such as rainbow flags, pins or clothing to show your support. Voice your Support: This could involve contacting your representatives about relevant legislation, participating in peaceful protests or using social media to raise awareness. Donate: Contribute to organisations that work on important issues like healthcare, housing, legal rights and support services Let us embrace the spirit of Pride this June and every day, striving for a future where love and equality triumph over prejudice and hate. #PrideMonth #LoveIsLove #LGBTQIA #Pride2024 #Equality #LGBTQCommunity #Diversity #Inclusivity #Support #Rights #Educate #Celebrate #TheWorldIsYourOyster

!!! Add this book to your preorders !!! The talented Ellen Jones has written a book called 'Outrage' about the prejudices and dangers that LGBTQ+ individuals are increasingly experiencing globally. This work highlights that the bias against LGBTQ+ people is systemic and incorporates personal accounts throughout, to which Ellen proposes practical actions that everyone can utilise to help shift society towards understanding and equality. This book is for everyone. https://lnkd.in/eUHYgewn #Author #Autism #LGBTQ #Queer

It’s more important than ever for allies to actively give their support to LGBTQ+ communities. @HumanRightsWatch recently announced a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans. They also have some really useful information about which U.S. states are protecting–and which are encroaching on–the rights of LGBTQ+ people, plus ways that you can support the community. You can check out their work here: https://lnkd.in/eUtfM-hS Recently, @TheManagementCenter sent out a piece detailing ways that leaders and managers, in particular, can use their positions and skills to support LGBTQ+ staff. It starts with making inclusion explicit and transparent, by acknowledging what’s happening and creating queer- and trans-inclusive policies and practices. These are important tips for managers to have, as state and local governments work to undermine long-fought-for LGBTQ+ rights. https://lnkd.in/eSZpkmJU (Image from @yyananran on unsplash.com.) #pride #lgbtq #lgbtqia #ally #trans #transrights #lgbtqrights #lgbtqiaally #lgbtqiasupport #employeesupport #leadership

What Does the “+” in LGBTQ+ Really Stand For? It’s More Than a Symbol. The “+” in LGBTQ+ is a powerful reminder that our community is incredibly diverse and goes beyond the letters L, G, B, T, and Q. It represents the countless identities and experiences that are often marginalized or left out of mainstream conversations. This includes intersex, asexual, aromantic, non-binary, pansexual, genderqueer, and so many more. In a world where identities are constantly evolving and expanding, the “+” ensures we remain inclusive and open-minded. It's a symbol of respect for everyone who doesn’t neatly fit into the categories that society has historically recognized. By acknowledging the “+”, we affirm that every person has a place in our community, regardless of how they identify or whom they love. Let’s continue to educate ourselves and others about the richness of our community and make sure that the “+” is never just an afterthought but a central part of our advocacy and allyship. Join us in embracing the “+” and recognizing its significance in fostering a truly inclusive world. #LGBTQPlus #Inclusion #Diversity #Pride #MistLGBTQ

I have written a book! Outrage: Why the Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality Is Not Yet Won and What We Can Do About It is available for pre-order now. Pre-orders are the most important thing for any author, but especially a debut author to have 💜 It’s out January 30th, 2025, just in time for LGBTQ+ history month. Get in touch if you want to host an event, a talk or have me on your podcast. A synopsis for those who are new here: Despite being more visible in mainstream culture than ever before, LGBTQ+ people are facing unacceptable levels of prejudice and danger - from a marked increase in homophobic and transphobic violence, to the rollback of rights around the world. In this groundbreaking, compelling and essential book, author and activist Ellen Jones sets out exactly how LGBTQ+ people continue to face discrimination, looking at education, sports, religion, marriage, mental health and much more. In searing prose, punctuated with personal accounts from LGBTQ+ people from across the globe, Jones sets out not only the issues but also practical actions, both big and small, that all of us can take to help create a more equal society. What’s more, she shines a spotlight on the amazing individuals already working hard to change things. Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, or simply care about human rights and equality, Outrage is essential, and illuminating, reading. Preorder here: https://lnkd.in/gazri_hE #LGBTQ #Author #LGBT #Queer #ActuallyAutistic #

"We have to be in the room where decisions that impact us are occurring. There are many tables and there is room at those tables for more of us." June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month! To celebrate, we're highlighting some LGBTQ+ trailblazers in our community. Today, we're proud to feature Justice G.Helen Whitener, of the Washington State Supreme Court. Read more about her inspiring journey at https://lnkd.in/eyqnXgiH but enjoy one excerpt here: Q: How often do you encounter other LGBTQ+ attorneys, particularly those of color, in the appellate field? Why do you think that representation is important? A: Occasionally, but it is rare. Representation helps build trust and confidence in the legal field as well as in the judiciary. It moves us from viewing laws and situations in a monolithic way. This is the reason I mentor as much as I do. I ask one thing of all of my mentees, and that is please find someone to mentor, share the opportunities that you receive. We have to be in the room where decisions that impact us are occurring. There are many tables and there is room at those tables for more of us. I can’t sit at all of the tables, but together we can cover more than I ever could alone. When we become gatekeepers, it is imperative that we be “intentional gatekeepers” and offer opportunities within our spheres of influence to others and the experiences necessary to help them advance to the next level. #PRIDE #RepresentationMatters #LGBTQ

I've had the privilege of meeting many inspiring LGBTQ+ business leaders over the past few months. However, I've noticed a common theme in our conversations. Many of these leaders express feeling like they're on the outside, not part of the traditional straight, white male networks. But when I ask how they leverage their own LGBTQ+ network, I often get silence. Digging deeper, it becomes clear that they actually have a strong queer network, but they're not tapping into it enough for business purposes. Not to mention that they are working on actively expanding and utilizing their LGBTQ+ network. It's time to stop lamenting about not being part of certain networks and start utilizing the power of our own LGBTQ+ business networks. They're stronger than we realize. Let's make the most of our connections and support each other in our professional endeavors. #LGBTQ+ #BusinessNetworking #SupportEachOther #LGBTQLeaders #LGBTQEntrepreneurs #IdentityVentures

Consider what you are missing when you tell people to not disclose their LGBTQ identities at work. 🏳️🌈 It's not choosing one minority group over another -- it's asking LGBTQ people in every part of our company to hide that part of themselves or keep it quiet. During this time of heartless attacks and misinformation coupled with huge growth and acceptance around the world -- why would you ask so many of us to cover up parts of ourselves? Sharing more about our families, our struggles, our gifts, our ideas is crucial to your company's success and our sense of belonging at work. #LGBTQInclusion #WorkplaceDiversity #Belonging #Acceptance #Equality #DiversityandInclusion