NBC4 Washington’s Post

So brave! 😭 Here is an absolutely beautiful story about #courage #authenticity #friendship and fighting some of the hardest enemies #loneliness & #depression Please watch, share, and enjoy this heartwarming story so we can create #awareness and #empathy towards this brave and suffering group!     🏳️🌈 (Please LinkedIn add the trans flag emoji)   The LGBTQ community in the United States has experienced significant developments over the past decades. As of 2023, 7.6% of U.S. adults identified as LGBT, more than double the percentage in 2012 [1]. This increase correlates with growing societal acceptance, particularly among younger generations, with 22.3% of Generation Z identifying as LGBT in 2023 [1]. Despite progress, discrimination remains a pressing issue. In 2023, there were 86 anti-LGBTQ hate groups recorded in the U.S. and 1,026 victims of anti-lesbian hate crimes [1]. #Transgender individuals face particular challenges, with 37% of transgender youth aged 13-17 living in states that restrict their participation in school sports consistent with their gender identity as of March 2024 [2]. Mental health is a critical concern, especially for LGBTQ youth. In 2023, almost half of transgender and non-binary youth considered #suicide [1]. Access to affirming healthcare varies by state, with 45% of the U.S. LGBT population living in states with transgender exclusions in health insurance coverage as of 2024 [3]. Politically, there have been both advancements and setbacks. While same-sex marriage was legalized federally in 2015, 31% of Americans in 2022 stated they would like to see it outlawed [1]. State-level policies vary widely, with California scoring highest (42.5) and Tennessee lowest (-14) on LGBTQ+ equality measures in 2024 [4]. My humble conclusion: This is a delicate and ever-changing situation that we must educate ourselves on to provide hope and support. Sources: [1] Topic: Statistics and facts about the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. [2] Statistic: Share of transgender youth aged 13 to 17 living in states that restrict transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity in the United States as of March 14, 2024 [3] Statistic: Share of LGBT population living in the U.S. states as of April 2024, by status of transgender exclusions in private health insurance coverage [4] Statistic: Overall policy score for LGBTQ+ related laws and policies in the United States in 2024, by state Statista

Imagine if people kept telling you who you should be, instead of allowing you to define yourself. For many, especially those who’ve transitioned, this is a daily reality. There’s a lot of judgment and misinformation about gender and transitioning, often fueled by fear of the unknown. But here’s the thing: showing compassion, even when we don’t fully understand, can make all the difference. It helps build stronger connections, makes people feel heard, and creates a supportive space where kindness thrives. As an ally, I recognize I still have a lot to learn, and that’s okay. It’s my responsibility to educate myself and approach these conversations with kindness and respect. This isn’t about agreeing with everything—it’s about basic human decency and integrity. Let’s be the people who choose compassion over judgment. If you're curious like me, check out "Will & Harper" on Netflix, a documentary about two friends navigating life’s challenges. It’s a heartfelt reminder of the power of friendship, self-discovery, and resilience. Let’s watch it together and keep learning. 🌈💛 #TransRightsAreHumanRights #ChooseCompassion #LGBTQAlly #SupportTransFolks #SpreadKindness #LearnAndGrow #WillAndHarper #GenderInclusivity #TransAwareness #AllyshipMatters

LogoTV.com (among other Paramount networks) has been scrubbed and erased, as was Logo's editorial site Logo News (which the URL is now for sale); formerly known as NewNowNext. It seems to be a strange way Paramount is deciding to celebrate Pride Month: Erasing nearly 20 years of LGBTQ+ content, archived community history, editorial content, reporting, storytelling, and queer representation from the internet. The network that birthed the iconic franchise RuPaul's Drag Race is officially dead, and is used now is a forwarding tool to push to Paramount+. What's also sad, as I review the coverage, is the lack of mention of Logo in mainstream news outlets. This once again shows the need for media *by* us and *for* us in the community. With so many folks in power at the company who are from the community, both in LGBTQ+ representation and former positions at Logo, one would assume that they would see the importance of keeping Logo alive and well - at least up and running. But, I was wrong. Enough about them, I want to take this moment to uplift and spotlight those who made their mark at Logo. Who, like me and my former teammates, worked tirelessly to create content for and uplift the LGBTQ+ community. While this is a dark day to see it gone with the flip of a corporate switch, I know our work made a positive impact somewhere for someone along the way. And to those people, I want to wish them a #HappyPride.

Age is a crucial factor when it comes to diversity and representation in the arts. Audiences yearn for their experiences to be reflected on stage, film, and emerging media platforms. Sadly, society fails to acknowledge and celebrate stories across a wide range of experiences. Consequently, organizations and companies are losing subscribers, viewers, support, and revenue. Inclusion demands embracing all ages, requiring sustained effort and an open mind. It may look different from what you perceive as diversity and inclusion, but it is crucial to ensure that everyone's experiences are represented. Let's work towards a more inclusive future for all. #Diversity #Inclusion #Arts #Representation #AgeRepresentation

Check out the latest issue of Watermark!

When we talk about diversity in TV, authenticity is key! But sometimes, characters of colour and diverse backgrounds aren't portrayed in a way that feels real to their audience. In this clip, we're diving into the cultural gap between these characters and the viewers they are supposed to be representing. We talk about the lack of genuine social cues and watered-down representations. Why do you think this happens? We want to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment below and let's start a conversation. #DiversityInTV #AuthenticRepresentation #Inclusivity

Thank you Max Miller and Broadcast Tech for letting us curate this feature from LGBTQIA+ contributors in the #postproduction and #VFX industry for Pride Month 🌈 Being proud of who you are is one thing - having support and allyship from your industry and workplace is another. In this piece we can see there are some wonderful role models in our sector and hopefully some advice that make being who you that bit easier when the world can tell you it's not. 📣 Pride isn't just for one month of the year - it should be felt year-round with efforts from everyone to increase inclusion, representation and diversity at all levels. 💡 It is important to remember that Pride is intersectional and doesn't mean the same thing for everyone. The feature (linked below) is an illuminating and inspiring read from each and every one of our contributors from across the industry. #pride2024 #post #vfx #production Broadcast (MBI)

Join us on 26th June from 10.30am - 1pm where we will be hosting a virtual workshop to learn about, explore and better understand what microaggressions are and how they can show up for people. We will cover: - What microaggressions are and how they are constructed - Confronting stereotypes and prejudice which lead to microaggressions - Practical exploration of examples of microaggressions - Gaslighting and how to avoid gaslighting people who raise concerns - Q&A "Spotlight Inclusion hosted a brilliant workshop and in-depth training session around microaggressions. It helped our organisation review the current processes and begin to talk about uncomfortable truths to journey forward in our collective understanding. It created a positive shift in staffs outlook when approaching situations both as a receiver or observer of an aggression. The value it brought to me was being able to reference elements learnt from the training to empower me to navigate my ownership over my protected characteristic. I am extremely grateful for the support and time Spotlight Inclusion provided, both professionally and personally - huge thank you." Find out more here: https://buff.ly/4d05eFI #equitydiversityinclusion #arts #artsandculture #leadership #inclusionleadership #inclusionmatters #theatre #dance #music #diversity #hr #training #education #onlinetraining #learning #inclusion #equity #development