Out in Tech’s Post

Let’s play a game I like to call: Who do I know? I haven’t played this before on LinkedIn, so I’m interested in seeing how this goes. Basically: we don’t always realize who we know or the resources or connections they may have. I want to go big in 2024, and in many cases that will include making new connections. Here are four of my big goals this year, as a transgender advocate and public speaker: 1. Speak at one or more queer-related or DEI related conferences. 2. Speak on another panel (or two, or five) about queer/ trans inclusion, queer experiences, and/or allyship. 3. Be a guest on a podcast and talked about, you guessed it— something in my queer/ trans specialty. (And hey, mentioning my book The Trans Ally Workbook wouldn’t hurt!). 4. Attend an inclusive fashion show. I’ve never been to a fashion show, and I’ve always wanted to go! So the question remains: who do I know? How can we make this happen? #Transgender #Queer #NonBinary #LGBTQ #PublicSpeaker

Check out what I'm selling: Stacey Abrams Lead from the Outside (Softcover Book): Get up to $30 off* when you use my code JPUSEF to sign up for Mercari. *Terms apply #mercari Lead from the Outside is a necessary guide to harnessing the strengths of being an outsider by Stacey Abrams, one of the most prominent black female politicians in the U.S. Leadership is hard. Convincing others―and often yourself―that you possess the answers and are capable of world-affecting change requires confidence, insight, and sheer bravado. Lead from the Outside is the handbook for outsiders, written with the awareness of the experiences and challenges that hinder anyone who exists beyond the structure of traditional white male power―women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and millennials ready to make a difference. https://lnkd.in/g79-nebC

So many of us have experienced the world through the writing of others, giving us a sense of belonging, validation, and escapism. Marginalized communities such as the LGBTQ+ community especially find solace in literature that properly represent their perspectives, struggles, identities, and experiences -- while giving them the ability and inspiration to think and see more deeply in their sense of selves and their sense of the world around them. Lisa Locascio Nighthawk, Chair of the MFA program, had this to say about queer representation in literature: “Those of us whose identities are marginalized, who have experienced life as the subaltern, the subject seen as an object by others, have the special skill of countering the limitations of a single story. Queer people have always had to work harder to prove themselves — as, indeed, have trans and gender-nonconforming writers, disabled writers, non-neurotypical writers, and writers of color. Occupying a subject position outside the presumed norm — able-bodied, white, male, straight — forces upon the human mind intrinsic lessons about how to call others into their world. This type of storytelling is a survival skill, one that demonstrates, over and over again, the outsider’s humanity to those for whom it is optional to recognize it. We need thoughtfully represented queer characters in literature because queer lives are human lives, resplendent in their diversity of experience—these are stories which tell us the truth about being ourselves.” Everyone deserves to see themselves represented on a page. As we celebrate #PrideMonth, check out some of these tips on how to properly portray and include LGBTQ+ individuals within your writing.

My coming out story was years in the making. I didn't wake up one morning and think, "Aha! I will come out on November 18th, 2008." For me, it was the knowledge that the only choice that honored me and who I was, was to be openly gay. And so, for probably 6-8 years, learned more about myself and slowly laid the groundwork to tell those that I loved. All of it wasn't conscious. But a lot of it was conscious. I picked a university in a big city so I could experience being around more queer people. I slowly started to get to know more gay people and got very curious to learn from them. Eventually, in each moment, I decided to speak my truth. This wasn't preordained, but it was intentional. What strikes me today, is that we all have so much to learn from our coming out journey. I see so many queer people out there in the world killing it. But they aren't happy because they don't have everything they want. In some respects, definitely not all, it's like our coming out journey. We see what we want and we get intentional about how we are going to get there. We know, for many reasons, we may not get what we want right now. But with support and intentionality, we can have it. This is how I support my clients. We partner together to see what they want to have, make a plan on how to get there and then get intentional about it. If you're queer and want a flavor of my coaching, join Queer Leader Connections next Friday, February 16th at Noon ET via Zoom. It's a free group coaching session and a great way to build community. The link to register is in the comments. See you there! #queerleadership #lgbtq #comingout #leadership

I worry that I'll make mistakes as an ally to marginalized communities. I don't want to fail the Black, Latina, Indigenous, Asian American and Pacific Islanders, or the LGBTQ+ communities. Especially the women. Because when I fail, I fail a person, a community, and myself. I worry about doing harm - to them and to me. I also know, even if I work hard to untrain my biases (and we all have them), I will still make mistakes. Hell, even as a fierce advocate for women and proud feminist, I still have biases that I am noticing every day about how we treat women in society that go unnoticed by me - unnoticed because they are so normalized. I don't even see them. Until I do. I don't know how to do it right all of the time. But my fear won't stop me from engaging, from talking, from LISTENING. Kind of like what I'd love to see more from more men. I truly believe most men want to be allies. But allyship requires action. And I believe many men are worried about getting it wrong, so they say nothing. They do nothing. Personally, I'd rather see men make mistakes knowing that they are trying to do the right thing than to be paralyzed by indecision. If they are LISTENING, open to hearing when something is right or wrong, when words or actions that maybe they don't notice hurt us ... that's being on the right side in my book. Even when they do or say something stupid. It's ability to know that they may get it wrong at times, even with best efforts and still take action anyway ... To listen when we tell them what they did or said was hurtful and why, To say I'm sorry and mean it, and to be a power of example committed to constantly do better that makes a real ally. So cheers to those who are worried about getting it wrong, but also, won't let it stop them from speaking up, engaging and listening everyday anyway. #raisethetide #internalcommunications #publicrelations #corporatecommunications

Second edit: Christian Muche from Possible reached out. We are talking tomorrow. I think we are aligned on values. Edit: one of the folks on the advisory board contacted me and he pointed me to the content tracks. There is a Social Impact and Purpose track that seems like a reasonable shot at an offset. I did suggest that they talk about it more, as every LGBTQ person and Black person I know in the industry has the same problem with FL. I think this might (ironically) be more of a marketing problem than an ignorance problem. Thanks to the folks who reached out. How long is reasonable time to have POSSIBLE respond to our exchange? I want to put up a follow on post, but want to be fair in terms timing. Of course, they could just drop me a note and that says “we are working on something. We’ll let you know.” If I don’t hear anything by Wednesday, I’ll do a, what I would call, a pointed follow on post.

We. Watch. Everything. Black people don't just watch shows with Black people in them. Latine people don't just watch shows with Latine people in them. LGBTQ+ people don't just watch shows with LGBTQ+ people in them. AAPI people don't just watch shows with AAPI people in them. Historically underestimated audiences consume everything, and we should be thinking about marketing to them with every show, film, product, service, etc. Don't get it twisted, though... this does not let Hollywood off the hook for casting inclusively, and ensuring the right directors are telling the right stories. We need that too, and those projects can be wildly profitable (and universally appealing) if they're actually marketed and promoted. So many times the "multicultural shows/films/moments" get the shoestring budget, and everyone's confused why nobody showed up. My point is that brands and studios are leaving money on the table by not consistently, authentically and specifically targeting these audiences across more shows and films. Something we talk a lot about within Team WORTHI, and with our clients.

The spiral of silence is a behavioral science principle that describes why people who believe themselves to be in the minority will either voice support for the majority opinion or stay silent despite their contrarian opinions. Boycotting Bud Light or Target as a result of their support of the LGBTQ movement offered a silent majority the opportunity to express what was perceived to be a minority opinion without social consequence. Not unlike the popularity of Donald Trump, a surprise to many on the surface, but very predictable in the spiral of silence. (For the record, I am an LGBTQ supporter, but not Donald Trump.) And the spiral of silence infects our conference rooms and boardrooms where and when few offer a dissenting opinion that differs from the most senior (or loudest) person in the room. I witnessed it personally at Weight Watchers when no one but me was willing to stand up to the decision to run away from weight loss and change the name of the company to WW; the program, to virtual; and the positioning, to wellness – and the stock went from $100 to $10 per share, even with Oprah Winfrey. You have to admit, or not, it’s hard to lose value when you have Oprah on your side. What’s your best example? #behavioralscience #minority #majority #contrarian #budlight #target #lgbtq #donaldtrump #weightwatchers #oprahwinfrey

Thrilled to share news about the recent certification of Words Normalize Behavior as an LGBT Business Enterprise (Certified LGBTE®) by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The NGLCC is the business voice of the LGBT community and serves as the nation’s exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned and operated businesses. Words Normalize Behavior becomes one of the first Executive Communications agencies led by a Black, Queer man to become formally certified by the NGLCC. This accomplishment is of great personal importance to me and stands as a testament to the agency's hard work and audacious energy. Visibility matters — especially when some people in power are explicitly targeting Black Queer people and attempting to censor and erase us. We're not going anywhere. As a Black, openly Queer Man in speechwriting and executive communications, there aren’t many folks that look like me in this profession, let alone leading an agency. It’s important to lead by example — and being a Gen Z-owned agency requires authenticity and intentionality while navigating a competitive and complex profession. This certification is an affirmation to the agency’s commitment to building narrative power and serving as a visible example for the next generation of Black Queer men who aspire to be entrepreneurs and executive communications leaders. Last year was the first year of full-time operations for Words Normalize Behavior, and we worked with over 15 clients across higher education, political advocacy, corporate social responsibility, sports and entertainment, and philanthropic institutions. If you're interested in working with us, complete our contact form at https://lnkd.in/eMz6vEy3, and we'll be in touch! #blackentrepreneurship #lgbt #genz #executivecommunications #speechwriting #leadership