The Trevor Project’s Post

LGBTQ+ Small businesses are encouraged to apply for the Queer to Stay grant. This program is designed to support LGBTQ+ small businesses, especially those owned by and designed for LGBTQ+ people of color, women and the transgender community. Applications to participate this year are due by August 31, 2024. For more more details and to apply: https://ow.ly/G68750SMhBw The “Queer to Stay” initiative launched in June 2020, awarding 10 LGBTQ+ small businesses across the country by addressing the financial hardships faced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the fifth iteration of this program, “Queer to Stay” will reach over $1 million in total distributed funding, awarding over 100 businesses across the country over its lifetime.

At yesterday's West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce luncheon, leaders from five statewide LGBTQ+ organizations shared perspectives and strategies on how employers and community members might support a more diverse and inclusive workforce & workplace. Thanks to Iowa Safe Schools, Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus, One Iowa, and Capital City Pride. And special recognition to panelist (and my friend/colleague) Dan Jansen, who serves as Board Chair of the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Curious to hear any of your thoughts, ideas, and experiences in the comments below: 1) How is your company fostering diversity and/or inclusion? 2) How are you or others in your organization championing inclusivity in aspects of work culture? 3) What initiatives have you found to be effective?

On #Juneteenth (June 19), a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, we are reminded that the work of equality, justice, freedom, inclusion, and belonging never stop. Black Queer people, who for too long have been historically overlooked and marginalized, have always played an integral role in fighting for and shaping the LGBTQ+ community. And they have done it in the face of adversities that other people have not, do not, and will not face. To this day, they continue to face unique challenges in and out of the workplace because of their intersecting identities. We must always remember that the LGBTQ+ community is not a monolith. The success of our larger movement requires gaining a better understanding of, and investing in solutions that mitigate or eradicate, these unique challenges. It requires that we raise up the voices who have done so much in the fight for equality. It requires we lead with inclusion and belonging. At Out & Equal, we’re committed to advancing the community and achieving our mission by understanding the experiences of all of the communities that make up our movement.  To learn more on what you can do, please revisit Out & Equal’s February 2024 Newsletter, which includes important resources and discusses both the power of intersectionality and how we can support Black Queer voices. Read the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eQyErAt5

As we journey through June, we are proud to celebrate both Pride Month and Juneteenth, two significant observances that remind us of the power of love, equality, and freedom. Pride Month is a time to honor the LGBTQ+ community, their history, struggles, and the ongoing fight for equal rights. It's a celebration of love, identity, and the vibrant diversity that enriches our world. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in 1865. It is a powerful reminder of the resilience and contributions of Black communities and the enduring quest for racial equality. At XponentL we have built an inclusive environment where everyone is celebrated for who they are. We believe that the individual voices of our employees meld into our collective strength, regardless of class, faith, gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. We play positive sum games with positive sum people. We thus strongly reject discrimination…a zero-sum power play if there ever was one. Happy Pride Month and Juneteenth! Let’s all get better together. #PrideMonth #Juneteenth #UnityInDiversity #EqualityForAll

LGBTQ+ Small businesses are encouraged to apply for the Queer to Stay grant. This program is designed to support LGBTQ+ small businesses, especially those owned by and designed for LGBTQ+ people of color, women and the transgender community. Applications to participate this year are due by August 31, 2024. For more more details and to apply: https://ow.ly/28Xl50SMhBv The “Queer to Stay” initiative launched in June 2020, awarding 10 LGBTQ+ small businesses across the country by addressing the financial hardships faced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the fifth iteration of this program, “Queer to Stay” will reach over $1 million in total distributed funding, awarding over 100 businesses across the country over its lifetime.

Women #Entrepreneurs check out this event! Business pitches, women business owners talking about their journey and more. Add this one to your calendar! #womenbusinessowners #femaleentrepreneurs

Today, on Juneteenth, we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and reflect on our journey towards justice. It’s crucial to recognize the intersectionality within our community, especially the experiences of Black individuals who are also part of the LGBTQ+ community. Let’s renew our commitment to dismantling racism and supporting inclusivity this Juneteenth. #Juneteenth #Intersectionality #SVPC

Our 12 Business Resource Groups (BRGs) are firm-sponsored and associate-led. Together our BRGs include and celebrate a variety of races, ethnicities, lived experiences and interests, such as Interfaith, Military-Veteran, LGBTQ+ and Allies, Remote Connections, and Green. Learn more in our sixth-annual Purpose, Inclusion and Citizenship Report, Growing Our Impact: https://bit.ly/3KjUg0u

Our 12 Business Resource Groups (BRGs) are firm-sponsored and associate-led. Together our BRGs include and celebrate a variety of races, ethnicities, lived experiences and interests, such as Interfaith, Military-Veteran, LGBTQ+ and Allies, Remote Connections, and Green. Learn more in our sixth-annual Purpose, Inclusion and Citizenship Report, Growing Our Impact: https://bit.ly/3VjgF4y

Be an ally. Be Kind. We ALL have one thing in common, we are all human beings first. Yet, so many different people continue to experience discrimination for a multitude of reasons. Financial wellness in the LBGTQ+ community face unique challenges and setbacks-- we all deserve to have access to financial products and services in an equitable environment. The 2024 LGBTQ+ Financial Wellness Report's key findings are a rude awakening that there is much work to be done for better financial inclusion. *Roughly half (48.15) of LGBTQ+ adults say they are financially unwell, compared to one-quarter (25.7%) of the general public. Both BIPOC and younger (age 18-24) LGBTQ+ adults are even more likely to say they are financially unwell. *Three in ten (30.8%) LGBTQ+ adults say they have experienced discrimination while accessing financial services *Roughly half (48.15) of LGBTQ+ adults say they are financially unwell, compared to one-quarter (25.7%) of the general public. *Nearly 60% (59.7%) of LGTBQ+ adults have annual household incomes below $75,000. "The data underscore the need for our economic empowerment programs, especially for younger BIPOC LGBTQ+ folks. I hope the data are a call to action for organizations serving our community. Given what we know about who is struggling the most, these organizations have an opportunity to center BIPOC young adults by being culturally responsive, trauma informed, and offering voice and choice to young people.” Maruka Rivers, Director of Economic Empowerment Programs at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation How is your credit union being an ally? If not, reach out and get involved.