NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Post

Every June, cities around the world are awash in vibrant rainbows as the LGBTQ+ community and allies celebrate Pride Month. This celebration is often associated with coming out, a pivotal moment for many LGBTQ+ individuals. However, Pride Month is about much more than that. It is a powerful affirmation of pride in oneself, a celebration of self-acceptance, and a call to embrace our authentic identities. Coming out is undoubtedly significant; it marks a personal and often transformative journey. Yet, Pride Month extends beyond this singular act. It is about recognizing and honoring the ongoing process of self-acceptance. For many, embracing their identity is a lifelong journey that involves overcoming societal prejudices, internalized stigma, and personal struggles. Pride Month celebrates the courage it takes to live authentically every day. Moreover, Pride is about visibility and representation. It serves as a reminder that LGBTQ+ individuals exist in all walks of life and deserve to be seen, heard, and respected. This visibility is crucial in fostering a sense of belonging and community, especially for those who might feel isolated or marginalized as I did growing up and even through my young adulthood. I felt I was worth less than the folks who were “normal”. At its core, Pride is about love and self-respect. It’s a declaration that everyone deserves to love and be loved, free from fear and discrimination. It's about acknowledging the worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In essence, Pride Month is a celebration of the entire journey of self-acceptance. It’s about coming out, yes, but it's also about what comes after—living openly, authentically, and proudly. It’s a time to embrace who we are and to support others in their journeys toward self-acceptance. Pride is not just an event; it's a powerful affirmation of identity, community, and love…FOR EVERYONE. I’m proud to be a part of an organization who celebrates this month with our community!

🏳️🌈 Why sign up as a Safe Space in Logan? 🏳️🌈 Visibility matters. Why? Because it helps create a culture of acceptance and belonging for our LGBTQIA+ community. Because everyone deserves to feel like they are safe. Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. And everyone should feel safe when engaging with their local services, businesses and communities. Knowing that you're welcome (without having to ask first) can make all the difference in the world. Why not put your hand up as a Safe Space in Logan? Find out more here >> https://buff.ly/4bdbzfm

We recognise this day at Odyssey House Victoria to help us remember that LGBTQIA+ liberation and inclusion is a recent and ongoing event in history and that the community still faces high levels of discrimination.   Here are some ways you can be an active ally and support for the LGBTQIA+ community:   -Being intolerant of intolerance - call it out if it's inappropriate.   -Respecting pronouns - Not sure which pronouns someone uses? Just ask. Then use that pronoun and encourage others to do so.   -Not assuming someone is or isn't LGBTQIA+ - LGBTQIA+ people don’t all look a certain way, and many may not appear to be part of the community.   -Listen to LGBTQIA+ voices in your workplace and community - Listen with an open mind and heart to the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people. 

What questions should you ask employers to gauge whether a company's values align with your own? Let us help! 🤝 By knowing what to look for, you can narrow down which work environments support and protect the inclusivity of the LGBTQIA+ community. 🌈

As we step into Pride Month, I want to take a moment to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community. 🌈 Pride is more than just a celebration; it’s a powerful statement about love, identity, and the freedom to be oneself without fear. It’s about recognizing the struggles, honoring the courage, and supporting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. As an ally, I stand in solidarity with my LGBTQIA+ friends, colleagues, and the global community. I am committed to learning, listening, and lending my voice to advocate for inclusivity and diversity in all spaces. How can you become an ally, you ask? 😇 There are so many things you can do to be a better ally. 1. Educate yourself. 2. Listen and learn. 3. Be mindful of pronouns. 4. Practice inclusivity when you address the room. 5. Give up those “jokes” that are hurtful to the community. 6. Shame those movies that make fun of the community in a slapstick stereotypical way. 7. Call out discrimination when you see one. 8. Be humble, learn from mistakes, challenge your biases. 9. Support LGBTQIA+ causes. 10. If you are a reader like me, incorporate books by authors from LGBTQIA+ community in your bookshelf. (You can always ask me if you need reading recommendations) And if you are still on the fence about becoming an ally, no pressure. I hope you become one, someday. Till then, be open minded, be supportive. Otherwise, just get out of the way of progress, equality and equity. Let’s use this month to reflect on how we can all contribute to a world where everyone can live authentically and love freely. Let’s continue to educate ourselves, speak up against discrimination, and celebrate the beautiful spectrum of human experience. Happy Pride Month! #PrideMonth #Inclusion #Diversity #Allyship #archesintherainbow Chandra Duraiswamy

Affirming Advisor™ celebrates Pride Month, recognizing all of the advisors, firms, and all those within and beyond our profession who create safe spaces for others. We are grateful to the growing number of advisors and firms worldwide who join is in helping advance the work in helping the LGBTQIA+ community and allies achieve their financial goals. #pride #financialplanning #wealthmanagement Dr. Charles ChaffinDr. Brad Klontz

Marsha P. Johnson: 'No Pride for Some of Us Without Liberation for All of Us' 🏳️🌈 Marsha P. Johnson's powerful words serve as a reminder that true pride and progress come from lifting each other up, hand in hand. Inclusivity isn't just a buzzword; it's a commitment to a brighter future where every voice is heard and valued. As a coach, I wholeheartedly embrace this message. My workshops are meticulously designed to build bridges and foster understanding among diverse individuals. We delve deep into the unique experiences of neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ communities, promoting acceptance and celebration of every individual's identity. In our collective journey towards liberation and equality, no one should be left behind. It's not just about some of us; it's about all of us. Together, we can create a world where pride knows no bounds, where every person is free to express their authentic self, and where diversity is our greatest strength. Let's continue Marsha P. Johnson's legacy by working hand in hand to build a more inclusive and equitable society. Your voice matters, and together, we can ensure that no one is left behind in our pursuit of progress and liberation. 🌍🌈 #InclusivityMatters #PrideForAll

JND Legal Administration, support that is superficial is getting called out these days. Supporting the LGBTQ+ community requires more than making a post and supporting gay white men… you’ve still got to work on eliminating racism and sexism in your workplace before you can be any kind of positive ally. Yes, I know Jennifer Keough and Neil Zola (who has either removed his profile, or is a sexist and racist coward who blocked me) don’t care. However, Jen seems to care about her social media image and Neil seems to care about liability. A push on both could help towards change. Holding yourself to the standards of Seattle would help your social media image, reduce liability, and if done correctly, would increase both morale and productivity. There’s a reason most business people in Seattle see taking care of your employees as a no brainer, common sense approach. #JNDLegalAdministration #classactions #civilrights #toxicworkenviroment #seattle #LGBTQ+ #alphabetmafia #neilzola

“Rite Aid has made meaningful progress for the LGBTQIA+ community by sourcing talent from LGBTQIA+ communities, providing allyship training, fostering engagement through internal platforms, and marketing to LGBTQIA+ customers. Celebrating Pride beyond Pride Month further emphasizes our ongoing allyship. We believe all leaders can drive inclusive change by updating LGBTQIA+ Inclusion policies and procedures, encouraging open dialogue, and implementing robust training to prevent microaggressions. Building a culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) – where people are valued, respected and accepted – is an ongoing endeavor. We know that DEIB must move beyond “statistics” into tangible actions that permeate across every level of an organization as we promote empathy and unity. And that’s exactly what we’re committed to doing, every day.” infy.com/Inclusion #Pride2024 #InclusionInProgress #ESGIsAnOpportunity

I was absolutely honored to be able to contribute to Eptura's most recent blog about the importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging in the workplace. This is such an important topic to consider, especially during 🌈 Pride Month 🌈 . Thrilled to get to work for a company that prioritizes inclusion and diversity--check out the article below!