Medicat’s Post

You may have been at #NIRSA's national conference earlier this year and had the joy of hearing Jeffrey Binney's keynote. In case you didn't, Jeffrey is a gay, plus size ultrarunner who made a documentary about how he ran his first ultramarathon after the loss of his beloved mom to heart disease. His story is motivating, funny, and truly emotional. It will remind you and your team that YOU CAN DO ANYTHING - TRULY ANYTHING - you just have to start. Nick Zumbrun, NIRSA's Assistant Director of Learning had this to say about Jeffrey's talk at NIRSA's national conference - "Jeffrey was AMAZING! His message is so inspirational and really spoke to our attendees. They laughed, cried, and left inspired. Jeffrey was incredibly engaging and gracious enough to stay and talk to the long line of folks waiting for him after his speech. I cannot recommend Jeffrey enough. Do not hesitate to book him." Jeffrey loves to speak with audiences to remind them how much they are truly capable of - on and off the field. He is available this winter and spring before he takes on another challenge that will have him walking and running over 2500 miles! Of course, he'll be available after this epic adventure, too. If you're interested in bringing him to your campus or virtual workspace before April or after early October, please be in touch by hitting reply or by simply completing the short inquiry form at the bottom of his speaker page. https://lnkd.in/gejWqcx8 #motivationalspeaker #ultramarathon #plussize #loveyourself #gethealthy #health #youcandoit #doitNOW #LGBTQ #gingers #documentary #speaker #keynote

Check out this latest episode of The New Masculine podcast featuring an interview with Danny Roberts, History UnErased's operations manager, and hosted by Travis Stock - it is fantastic and absolutely everyone would benefit from hearing this - and Danny's advice at the end is fire! And the story Danny shares highlights the fact that visibility can be a revolutionary act. EPISODE SUMMARY On this episode, Travis talks with cast member of The Real World: New Orleans (2000) Danny Roberts. Danny shares what it was like coming out on national television, being the poster child for the gay community, and being in a relationship that exposed the world to the impacts of the US military's policy at the time - Don't Ask Don't Tell. Beyond the "accidental" advocacy his presence and storyline on the show had for the LGBTQ Community, he has now fully embraced the role of advocate through his work at History UnErased, a non-profit focused on ensuring LGBTQ history isn’t erased from K-12 school curriculums. Listen in as Travis and Danny discuss: - Growing up in the evangelical South. - Defense mechanisms - How the show shaped the trajectory of his life. - The challenges of missing out on normal developmental stages. - Navigating the projections of others. - Why teaching LGBTQ history is so important. - His take on why kids shouldn't be shielded from conversations about LGBTQ people. #lgbtq #historyunerased #visibilitymatters #historymatters https://lnkd.in/eJpBYBCT

Economics is all around us! Choosing to take a lump sum today or an annual annuity is economics and requires economic thinking! Happy Bobby Bonilla Day. Read more at https://lnkd.in/eJZwr3Pp

It is officially pride month! If you're looking to learn more about LGBTQIA+ history or learn more about queer experiences, check out these books below! https://lnkd.in/dYGn7Dcm #pridemonth #bookstoread

Looking for tips on how to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in your business year-round? Look no further than this insightful Forbes article. Don't miss out on these valuable insights. 🌈👇

Reflection Fridays_A world so hateful 🌍 It's Friday! ✨ And the rainbow month is just around the corner. 🌈  This week I was listening to one of my favourite songs (https://lnkd.in/e2_3iBss). There is this sentence that says: " A world so hateful, they rather die than be who they are" Do you know how it feels when you know a family member tried to kill themselves because of fear and self-hate of being part of the LGBTQ+ community ❓ I do 😔 If you don't, just imagine one call where they tell you that your sister, borther, cousin, aunt, uncle, you name it, is in hospital after a suicide atteemp. And know that the reason is the fear of hate and rejection for who they are. But "Love is patient, love is kind", and when people overcome these fears, there is only joy and PRIDE 💙 🌈 💙 . You don't need to understand, you just need to respect. Enjoy! #diversityandinclusion #inclusion #diversity #diversityequityinclusion #reflectionfridays

I’m extremely proud (no pun intended) to work for an organisation so committed to being visibly supportive of our amazing and diverse workplace! The entire Hato Hone St John Rainbow Network and allies are really showing us we can create a place where everyone belongs. Let’s put this into context…. Pride bursts with vibrant colours, but its roots lie in resilience. In 1969, the Stonewall Riots, a response to ongoing police harassment of the Rainbow Community, ignited a movement. This uprising led to Pride marches, demanding equal rights and visibility. Often marred by abuse and violence against participants, these marches were a long way from glamorous. Today, Pride is a celebration of identity, love, and resistance. It’s a reminder of the fight for equality and a joyous display of community. But the fight continues. Discrimination, violence, and lack of access to resources persist. Whether you identify as a member of the Rainbow Community, or as an ally, Pride goes beyond attending parades. It’s about educating yourself, challenging harmful stereotypes, and advocating for Rainbow rights. Amplify the voices, support Rainbow businesses, and speak out against discrimination. Remember, Pride is not just a month, it’s a commitment to building a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of their identity. #pride #aucklandpride #aucklandrainbowparade #notjustamonth #allies

We can't help but see comments on social media protesting the need for Pride month, or the focus it gets throughout June. Here are just a few statistics that cannot be ignored: 😓 64% of LGBT+ people have experienced violence or abuse 🏳️🌈 88% of transgender people do not report hate crimes they experience 👥 35% of LGBT employees have hidden their sexuality or identity at work for fear of discrimination 😰 41% of employees who identify as transgender, non-binary or another gender have experienced bullying, discrimination or harassment at work (from our own research) Acknowledging this data isn't about detracting from any of the other issues your organisation is facing, it's about creating change where change is needed. In this webinar Kenya Peters and Vicki Baars sat down to discuss what pride month Should and Should Not look like. Let us know your thoughts https://lnkd.in/ecXDqUeA

In April 1999, active BNP member David Copeland set off 3 nail-bombs: the first on 17 April in Brixton, targeting the Black community, the second on 24 April in Brick Lane, targeting the Bangladeshi community, and the third on 30 April in Soho, targeting the queer community. On this anniversary, we are reflecting on how little the far-right threat was taken seriously 20 years ago, and how much it is dismissed even today. It also shows how anti-Black, anti-Muslim and anti-queer stances are part and parcel of far-right ideologies. The far right continues to target anyone it sees as ‘Other’ or as a ‘threat’ to their values: from the homophobic protests outside drag queen story times, to the hate filled demonstrations outside hotels where sanctuary seekers have been placed, these events are all connected. At MRN, we know that #solidarity across movements is necessary if we are to fight back against the hateful rhetoric of the far right. Our movements must be intersectional if they are to succeed. #Intersectionality #MigrantJustice #RacialJustice #QueerLiberation

Reflecting on the 4th of July: A Call for True Representation On the 4th of July, I find myself reflecting on the words of John Adams from the film 1776: “There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with the commitment, and those who require the commitment of others.” This quote resonates deeply with me, especially in the context of our nation’s history and the ongoing struggle for true representation and equality. The 4th of July marks the birth of our nation, a time when the ideals of freedom and independence were enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. However, it’s important to acknowledge that these ideals have not been realized for all members of our society. The promise of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” remains unfulfilled for many, particularly within marginalized communities. Today, I question whether the 4th of July truly represents the diverse populace of our nation. The struggles faced by Indigenous peoples, people of color, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized groups highlight the gap between the ideals of our founding and the reality of our present. As a mother of a trans son and an advocate for trans rights, as a woman and advocate for women's reproductive rights, I see firsthand the challenges and discrimination that continue to persist. Ray Charles once sang, “There’ll be no peace without all men as one.” This powerful message reminds us that true peace and unity can only be achieved when we embrace each other as equals. On this day, I contemplate how far we still are from the promises made within the Constitution. When will we truly embrace each other as equals? It takes all of us to continue this grand experiment called democracy. Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape our nation’s future and ensure that it represents all its people. By voting, we hold our leaders accountable and push for the changes we want to see. Let’s commit to making our nation one that truly represents and values all its people. It’s time for us to embody the commitment that John Adams spoke of, not just for ourselves, but for each other. #ReflectingOnFreedom #Democracy #Vote #HumanRights #TogetherWeCan #PowerOfThePeople #Empowerment Tiny Ripples➡Waves➡Tsunami of Love🌊❤️