Snooze an A.M. Eatery’s Post

As we celebrate Pride Month, a friendly reminder that there is no playbook for being LGBTQ+ in careers and community roles. Each journey is unique, filled with its own set of challenges and triumphs. Without a clear roadmap, the allyship we receive becomes even more crucial. Allyship in our professional and community lives isn't just about understanding; it's about actively creating environments where everyone can advance and succeed. I'm incredibly thankful for the colleagues, leaders, and community members who go beyond words, showing up with actions that foster inclusion and belonging. Their support has made a significant impact on my ability to bring my authentic self to work and to my community roles. In any field, whether it’s tech, corporate, nonprofit, or community organizations, allyship is essential. It’s about breaking down barriers, advocating for inclusive policies, and ensuring that every individual feels seen and valued. The presence of allies helps bridge the gap where career and community guidance is lacking, offering support and understanding in an ever-evolving landscape. I’m deeply grateful for every opportunity I’ve had to step into leadership roles. However, I recognize that not every member of the LGBTQ+ community has had the same foundation for success. This disparity underscores the importance of allyship in helping create opportunities for all in both careers and community roles. For me and many others, knowing we have allies who stand with us makes all the difference. It empowers us to navigate our paths with confidence, knowing we’re not alone in our journeys. Here’s to celebrating the allies who help pave the way and to continuing to build communities and workplaces where everyone can shine authentically and succeed professionally and personally. Not just today, but everyday. Happy Pride y’all 🏳️🌈

Last week, we had the honor of hosting a thought-provoking session with Dr. Philip McAdoo. His insights on Pride, allyship, intersectionality, and DEI have inspired us to reflect more deeply on how we can become a more inclusive and supportive company during Pride month and beyond: 🤝 True allyship involves advocating for and standing up for others. Balancing the role of an ally with the risk of overstepping boundaries requires a deep commitment to listening and learning. By actively listening to the experiences and needs of those we aim to support, we can better understand when to step forward and when to step back. 🎉 Pride recognizes the many ways of being and celebrating who we are. Dr. McAdoo highlighted the progress made by young people stepping into their identities and the need to address societal fractures. It's important to (help) find spaces and communities that validate who we are and boost our confidence. 📈 Focus DEI efforts on systems rather than individuals to avoid "othering" and promote inclusive problem-solving. Measure DEI efforts with both quantitative and qualitative metrics – put some 💜into it! 👊 Real, authentic support takes the form of focusing on the benefits and experiences we offer to people at the margins. It’s important to be patient and humble, understanding that change doesn’t happen overnight. People need time to process and reflect on new ideas, opening the door to growth and transformation. Inspired by Dr. McAdoo and our team, we are committed to celebrating and supporting our/the LGBTQ+ community, during and beyond Pride Month. Actions on our radar: Open dialogue: Provide our team with a space to discuss their experiences more openly and frequently. We will reframe our monthly team coffee chats to encourage these conversations. Ongoing training: Revamp and enhance our inclusion and diversity training programs, emphasizing the importance of continuous development. Our taskforce team stresses that this is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time effort! Community engagement: Actively look for ways to support the LGBTQ+ community, including supporting local businesses. Happy Pride, everyone! 🌟 #PrideMonth #Inclusion #Diversity #Allyship #DEI #CelebratePride

Caught an article this morning that, frankly, made my blood boil before my coffee even kicked in. It was about navigating Pride Month without "causing a stir" in companies (it read: 4 ways HR can avoid Pride Month conflict). Like a guide on how to handle LGBTQ+ support as if it's some kind of PR crisis. 🙄 As a "PR lady" - please miss me with that ✋ Here’s my beef: Supporting LGBTQ+ folks shouldn’t be about tiptoeing around to avoid backlash. It's about making real, substantial support happen. Not just in June, but all year round. Saturday, I was at a Pride parade, right? Pure joy, candy flying everywhere, my daughter waving a rainbow flag like she's trying to direct traffic. Cut to Sunday: my ultra-religious neighbor stops while walking by to chat, and here comes my kid, waving that 🌈 flag again. Cue Donna giving us the stink eye. Seriously? It's people like her that make workplaces and even your own goddamn driveway a place of "conflict." Real support doesn't avoid the conflict—it embraces the cause boldly and loudly. Because everyone should feel safe to be themselves. So, can we not reduce Pride to a check-box exercise? Let’s embed it into our company ethos. Let’s not just "manage" Pride; let’s celebrate it, advocate for it, and live it. When people feel genuinely supported, they don't just function—they flourish. And if your Pride plans feel like walking on eggshells, maybe it’s time to throw those plans out the window and start a parade. 🏳️🌈

Reflections on Pride Month 🌈  This June, we celebrated Pride Month at BII for the first time. The reception in our community has been encouraging to witness, but reflecting on the conversations I’ve seen here on LinkedIn during this month it becomes clear that discussing topics related to diversity and inclusion can be challenging within organizations. These conversations are often difficult because they require us to confront long-standing biases, navigate sensitive topics, and create an environment where everyone feels safe to express their true selves. However, in my opinion, these difficult discussions are essential for fostering innovation, which is what BII is all about. Diversity in the workplace brings in a variety of perspectives and experiences, which are crucial for creativity and problem-solving. Studies have shown that diverse teams are more innovative and effective at finding solutions to complex problems. Embracing and supporting diversity, including the LGBTQ+ community, is just one way of ensuring that we are not only creating a more inclusive environment but also driving innovation forward. It's not always easy to have these conversations, but the rewards – a more dynamic, innovative, and inclusive workplace – are worth the effort.  Let's continue to push for a culture where diversity is celebrated, and every voice is heard! Peter Hauge Mikkelsen Maria Gøtz Konradsen Laura Arlgade Sigrid Hyldig Tine Roland Presterud

𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 = 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 for a 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘧𝘵? The kaleidoscope provides a vivid illustration of how changing perspectives can result in beautiful, unexpected outcomes. In the professional world, especially in healthcare, embracing a kaleidoscopic approach means being open to continual change, valuing diversity and equity, championing inclusivity, enabling belonging, and driving justice while committing to creative solutions 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭. June is a month dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community with colorful rainbow flags, parades, and marches. Pride also honors the LGBTQ+ community's ongoing fight for equal rights and justice, rooted in their rich history. As June 2024 and Pride month nears conclusion, consider this a reminder to 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 in 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 work and life. Reflect ... 1. Examine 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 values and beliefs.  2. Evaluate 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 understanding of diversity, equity, inclusivity, belonging, and justice.   3. Understand 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 ability to positively impact individuals, teams, and change in your organization and community. Action starts from within ... ↳ Embrace the beauty of others. ↳ Take the lead to drive diversity and equity. ↳ Be a champion for inclusivity to enable belonging. ↳ Take a stand for justice at work, in life, and in your community. ↳ Commit to creative solutions for all. Then, watch as new patterns of success and fulfillment for all unfold before you.

June is Pride Month. A time to celebrate being queer, being your authentic self, being you at maximum volume. I have looked forward to, and loved Pride month for over 30 years - I attended the first Pride event in Grand Rapids and loved it! I have really struggled this month to find that joy, that thrilling sense of being authentic, that enjoyment of celebrating how fabulous our queer community is, and seeing others enjoying it too. Now I feel frustrated that we are still, 30+ years later, having to fight to be seen, fight to justify our existence, fight to be respected, and fight to stay alive. I live in a community that is extremely diverse, yet we are still such a divided community. I live in a community that has many resources, yet not everyone has equal access to them. I live in a community that has celebrations for so many different cultures, yet there are still protestors at EVERY Pride event shouting hate at us. We will continue to be dazzling, continue to be fabulous, and continue to fight to be accepted, but it's exhausting, it's beyond frustrating, and its not making our community better. Let's move beyond the morality and values statements and get back to basic human respect and dignity. If we can start from a place of dignity and respect for ALL, then maybe we can move forward and become a stronger, more vibrant, and healthier community. If you or your company truly want to ensure LGBTQ+ community members are valued, respected, and affirmed please go beyond hanging a Pride flag during June. Ensure your executive leaders understand why this is not only good for your LGBTQ+ staff and community but also good for business 12 months of the year - not just during June. Invest in training for your staff so they know how to build a safe and affirming environment for everyone. Be an ally/advocate/accomplice all year, not just during June. Educate yourself on LGBTQ+ issues and speak up when you hear someone saying things that are not true. Exemplify kindness - it costs you nothing to be kind to others, but it costs others a lot (sometimes their lives) if you are cruel. Happy Pride Month.

As someone who doesn't typically post about personal matters on LinkedIn, I find it increasingly important to bring my whole self to my professional community. I am so proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, and am happy to outwardly share my pride on this platform. My experiences in this incredible community have taught me lessons that directly shape how I show up at work. In honor of pride month, I thought I'd share a couple of them below: First, authenticity matters. Being true to ourselves fosters a sense of belonging and trust. When we bring our whole selves to work, we contribute to a more inclusive environment where others feel safe to do the same. Next, empathy fuels connection. Understanding the diverse experiences of others allows us to build stronger relationships. Empathy enables collaboration, creativity, and innovation which are essential qualities in any workplace. Finally, there's resilience in adversity. The LGBTQIA+ community has faced adversity throughout history. Our resilience teaches us to persevere, adapt, and find strength even in challenging circumstances. Not everyone has the privilege and luxury to feel safe to show up to their workplace as their authentic self. At the Ad Council, I feel unbelievably supported (and celebrated!) for my queer identity, and that's something I will never take for granted. If you're looking for ways to support the LGBTQ+ community this month (and beyond), I encourage you to check out https://lnkd.in/eFGXtUex where you can learn how to be an ally, create a more inclusive space at school and work, diversify your media, understand the impact of protection laws, and promote LGBTQ+ health through vetted resources. I hope everyone has a safe, healthy, and happy pride! ❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 ✨

🌈 June is Pride month 🌈 Pride month is all about acceptance, equality and celebrating the work of LGBTQIA+ people. It's also an opportunity to raise awareness about LGBTQIA+ history and educate people LGBTQIA+ topics.   For the most marginalised groups in the LGBTQIA+ community, we are seeing backwards trends to progress. The trans community are facing laws being passed across the world to make inclusion and transition an even more difficult topic and process than it already is.   There are also rising numbers of trans murders and violence. Those who are part of the ‘silent letters’ groups within the community (including non-binary, agender, gender queer) also face discrimination, harassment, and erasure.   Although a key symbolic symbol, Pride month isn’t just about rainbow flags because LGBTQIA+ inclusion should take place 365 days of the year. This is why Lifetime Group has our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy in place to make sure we’re always considering the rights and needs of the LGBTQIA+ community when decisions are being made, and to avoid any kind of ‘performative allyship’.

Pride Month is a special time when we celebrate and respect people of all kinds, especially those who are LGBTQ+. It's not just about parties and colors; it's about showing that we care about everyone, no matter who they love or how they identify. At work, saying "Happy Pride Month" to LGBTQ+ colleagues is more than just being nice; it's showing that we support them and stand with them. Here's why it's important: 1. Making Everyone Feel Welcome: When we acknowledge Pride Month, we're saying that everyone is accepted and respected, no matter who they are. 2. Supporting Our Differences: Saying "Happy Pride Month" tells LGBTQ+ colleagues that we're on their side and that we believe in their right to be themselves without being treated unfairly. 3. Building Strong Relationships: When we show that we care about LGBTQ+ colleagues, it helps build trust and friendship, which makes our work better and more enjoyable for everyone. 4. Encouraging People to Be Themselves: By celebrating Pride Month, we're saying it's okay for people to be who they truly are at work, which makes our workplace more interesting and diverse. 5. Teaching Each Other: Saying "Happy Pride Month" helps spread awareness and understanding about LGBTQ+ issues, so we can all learn to respect each other more. Remember, celebrating Pride Month isn't something we do just once a year. It's about making sure everyone feels accepted and supported every day. So, whether it's a friendly message or joining in on Pride activities, let's all take a moment to show our LGBTQ+ colleagues that we care about them not just during Pride Month, but all the time. Because when we embrace our differences, we make our workplace a better place for everyone. 🏳️🌈

Celebrating Pride Month: Fostering Inclusion at Alphanext 🏳️🌈 June marks Pride Month, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience, diversity, and contributions. At Alphanext, we recognize that embracing diversity is not just a social responsibility but also a driver of innovation and growth. Studies by Gartner show that inclusive teams outperform by 30%. Alphanext is committed to equitable hiring, ensuring unbiased job descriptions and providing diversity training for recruiters. While 🌈 logos and Pride Month social media posts are a start, they're not enough. True inclusion requires a year-round commitment that fosters a sense of belonging and empowers LGBTQ+ employees to thrive. Companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Salesforce have a long history of championing LGBTQ+ inclusion, setting inspiring examples in the industry. At Alphanext, celebrating Pride Month reaffirms our commitment to a diverse, inclusive workplace where every employee feels respected and empowered. Join us in celebrating Pride Month as we build a diverse and inclusive Alphanext. Together, we can make a difference. 🌟