Taco Bell’s Post

Which one is transgender? Which one is Jewish? Which one is gay? Which one is Black? Are you scratching your head and thinking, "How am I supposed to know? They all look the same!" Good! That's the whole point! You can't tell just by looking at someone's bones if they are transgender, Jewish, gay, or Black. That's because, deep down, we're all the same. We all have bones, muscles, hearts, and brains. These things don't change based on who we are or what we believe in. So, what does this mean in our everyday lives? 1. Don't Judge by Appearances: Just like you can't tell someone's story from their skeleton, you can't know everything about a person just by looking at them. It's important to get to know people for who they are, not what they look like. 2. Celebrate Differences: While we are all the same on the inside, our differences on the outside make us unique and special. It's like a garden with many different flowers. Each flower is beautiful in its own way, and together, they make the garden even more wonderful. 3. Kindness and Respect: Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. Whether someone is transgender, Jewish, gay, Black, or anything else, they deserve to be loved and appreciated for who they are. 4. Learning About Others: When you meet someone who is different from you, it's a great opportunity to learn about their experiences and their culture. This can help you understand and appreciate the world better. When we understand that everyone is the same on the inside, we start to see that our differences on the outside shouldn't lead to unfair treatment or unkindness. Instead, they should be celebrated and respected. By doing this, we create a world where everyone can feel safe, happy, and valued for who they are. So next time you see someone who looks or acts different from you, remember the picture of those skeletons. Think about how, deep down, we all have the same bones and the same human spirit. Treat everyone with the kindness and respect they deserve, and help make the world a better place for everyone. #WeAreAllHuman #CelebrateDifferences #KindnessMatters #EqualityForAll #Inclusion #EmbraceDiversity

It’s a new year! Did you know it’s important that you’re engaging in DEIJB (diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, belonging) work year-round, not just during Pride month? Some organizations and companies look for a “concrete reason” to begin engaging in this work or to continue it when really the concrete reason is that there are already LGBTQIA+ people who are there and part of their ecosystem; they just may not be out to you. That plus all of the anti-LGBTQIA and anti-trans misinformation out there that needs to get checked and dissolved through education. I’ve listed an absolutely incomplete list of “concrete reasons” to launch or continue this work. I teach LGBTQIA+ workshops, provide talks, consult, & coach leaders and companies and organizations while also creating custom programming and I’d love to work with you! My winter slots are slowly filling up so don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule an intro/exploration call! Can’t wait to chat; there’s no time like the present! Oh, and if we’ve worked together in the past, drop a comment about your experience! Send my name around to buddies at other companies/orgs! Word of mouth is everything! Thank you! Image text: Plan Ahead! Trans day of Visibility Mar 31 Pride Month June LGBTQ History Month October National coming out day Oct 11 International pronoun day Oct 16 Intersex awareness day Oct 28 Trans day of remembrance Nov 20

I've had comments about how much I'm 'banging on' about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and usually I would ignore them, but LGBT+ History Month is at least in part about education. There is a lack of appreciation for how much DEI can affect someone's life both personally and professionally, and so I'll make you all a bet (as they seem to be all the rage in politics these days). I will stop 'banging on' about DEI when the following happens: - When I can go to work and not have my line manager state that straight people should have more rights in law than those in the LGBTQ+ community. - When I don't have my knowledge of engineering or ability to do my job questioned because of my sexual orientation. - When I can expect not to be intentionally segregated from a group of colleagues due to a disability. - When I don't have to listen to a colleague say that he wouldn't want disabled people working with him. - When I can be at a social event with colleagues without being called a 'paedophile' by others nearby, or receive homophobic comments from work colleagues. - When I can drive along the roads of the UK without being followed by the police fairly regularly, presumably for being a black person driving an expensive car. - When I'm not questioned about what my 'real name' is, asked 'if I speak English', or have people comment on 'how good my English is'. - When I can walk around a supermarket without being followed by security, or having to get a receipt as I know I may be questioned on the way out. - When I can ask a question to a store worker, or anyone in a professional capacity, and not have them respond to my white husband instead of me. - When I can walk through the streets in public or onto a site with work without having verbal abuse shouted at me or being physically assaulted, or even having people cross over the road and back again to avoid me. All of these have happened to me, and at least one has happened in every job I've had. This is by no means a finite list, it's just a handful of some of the things that I have to put up with that others may not realise. Some of them happen fairly frequently, and others have happened only one - but once is still one time too many.

Sharing this important post from our CEO, Chad Spitler. -- Reflecting back on this past month, Pride turned 25 – a major milestone for the gay rights movement, especially within corporate America. More companies have out leaders, executive allies, and business resource groups to demonstrate work cultures that embrace the value of diversity. And more research continues to demonstrate that companies that embrace diversity tend to innovate and perform well financially. At Third Economy we work hard to invite employees to show up every day as their authentic selves and to help our clients leverage diversity to make their companies stronger. In an era of continuing anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation, the minimum that we can do is create inclusive spaces that embrace unique perspectives. We are all stronger as a result. Happy Pride Month!

As pride month comes to an end, we're reflecting on the importance of representation in marketing - how it moves commerce and shapes minds. Especially in the wake of increasing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, ensuring our queer family feels seen and understood seems more important than ever. While June can come off as over-branded and rainbow-washed, representation, when executed thoughtfully, carries a lot of weight. Begging the question - isn't it better to be seen than completely ignored? And it is too much to ask that we feel acknowledged authentically, and not in an overtly forced-capitalist agenda? As marketers, and as queer folk, the answers are a resounding "yes it is" and "no it isn't too much" respectively. And as lovers of advertising, we see the metaphorical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - more inclusion, equity, and impactful visibility. Luckily, some big brands see it too, and are showing up accordingly. Check out our roundup on some of our favorite marketing from this pride month that resonated. And if you feel passionately, let us know how you felt about pride advertising this go around. #advertising #resonance #socialqagency #pride

Navigating the industry as a Black gay man can often present unique challenges, even after achieving a level of establishment. I still recall a conversation with a boss who told me to change my posture and adjust my voice, suggesting that my natural self needed modification to fit in. It was frustrating to hear advice like "don’t stand that way," "your voice must be deeper," and "watch your hands." These moments often make me reflect on the societal expectations placed on us—expectations that seem to dictate who gets to be seen and heard authentically. What’s important, though, is not just accepting this feedback blindly. It's about recognizing the systemic barriers and biases that still linger in the workplace. I later confided in an industry colleague about my frustrations, emphasizing the importance of managing not just our image but also the way we navigate the workplace environment. This situation leads me to ask you all: - Have you experienced similar feedback in your professional journey? - How did you handle the pressures to conform, especially when they clash with your identity? Being true to ourselves is a powerful form of resistance. Let’s discuss how we support each other in creating inclusive spaces where our true selves can thrive. #Diversity #Inclusion #LGBTQ #BlackExcellence #WorkplaceCulture

PRIDE As we step into Pride Month, I feel it's essential to reflect on and celebrate PRIDE. As a 35-year-old gay man, I can certainly say it's been a journey. As a young boy, I vividly remember feeling scared for as long as I can remember, filled with questions: why am I different? Why can't I be like everyone else? Every night, I lay in bed with thoughts and emotions running through my head, wondering how I could change just to fit in (MADNESS). Growing up in a society that has told, and sometimes still tells, LGBTQIA+ people that they are disgusting or fundamentally wrong has led to a deep-seated experience of shame within our community. It is this shame... Thankfully, we've come a long way, but there is still much work to be done. Many people ask why Pride Month is still needed. To some outside the LGBTQIA+ community, it may seem like Pride isn't necessary anymore. But there are countless reasons why Pride Month is still vital. As a gay man, I believe celebrating Pride can be incredibly empowering for young LGBTQIA+ people, including those experiencing thoughts of suicide. While we have made fantastic strides towards equality, the journey is far from over. This is why we continue to celebrate and promote Pride Month – to raise awareness of both past and current issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to Pride Month, we also have various awareness and visibility weeks throughout the year, including Lesbian Visibility Week, Transgender Awareness Week, and Bisexual Awareness Week. Let’s continue to celebrate, raise awareness, and support each other as we work towards a more inclusive and accepting world for all. Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈